Bailey's Blog

Plus 10 and dry when driving in. 6mm overnight

A superb win for John Perriss at Uttoxeter with Home Made Hero who absolutely sluiced up in the novice hurdle, a really impressive performance. HMH never saw another horse

John fell madly in love with this horse at the Newbury sales, the Goffs Sales held there during the ‘Hennessy’ meeting last November. He’s always had, and has a very soft spot for the late sire Westerner infact I think that every horse he’s owned by that sire has been a winner, so he was determined to have this one, come what may.

Although Home Made Hero didn’t look much when we first bought him, he’s turned into a very, very nice horse indeed. A great result, much deserved, and well done to John and, of course, to Ed Bailey, who the horse was knocked down to.

Saturday Morning brings in Tom Bellamy and Ciaran Gethings to ride out

8 guests for a Gallop morning today.... Sandra and Nick Holt and Tina and Tony Fairchild won a voucher at the Ray Of Hope Charity Auction. Simon bought the morning for his dad Joseph's 75th birthday and John Dalton's daughter bought a voucher for him and Mrs Dalton.

Peter and Elizabeth Smith were here second lot to see his KBRS horses Matty's Getaway.

We have two runners today and two tomorrow.. Top Target heads to Wetherby while Two For Gold heads to Ascot. Tomorrow at Huntingdon we run So You Know and Parc d'Amour and for our thoughts please click here.

Aiden O'Brien does it again in the USA.. He became the most successful trainer at the Breeders' Cup when Gstaad overcame a slow start to finish strongly and land the Grade 1 Juvenile Turf... More Breeder Cup action tonight and Frankie Dettori's he his last ride..

England play Australia at Twickenham today.

Mrs B and I had an excellent supper at The Old Butchers last night. Archie joined us to celebrate her birthday... TOB just does not disappoint!

Mat had a bad journey back from Uttoxeter yesterday and saw this sticker in the car in front of him.

I am a vet, therefore I can drive like an animal.

Suddenly I realised how many gynaecologists there are on the roads.

Have a great weekend and see you on Monday.

PS.. Emaile from Mike ''Disappointed you didn`t highlight the fact that England also play Australia in a sold out Rugby League International at Everton`s new ground - live on BBC.''

Plus 9 and dry when driving in. 3mm of rain overnight.

The giant of a horse that is High Tea ran an absolute stormer to finish a running-on fourth in Division Two of the Charlie Longsdon Novice Hurdle at Stratford yesterday. Absolutely thrilled with him. Hopefully, he’ll now get a handicap mark, and then we can have a proper think about whether he stays over hurdles or heads chasing. Either way, a very encouraging run.

John and Laura Garrett made it along to cheer him on, although the M5 had other ideas and tried to keep them away! But all in all, a really good afternoon at Stratford, and a great way to round off the last meeting of their season.

Farewell to Darna

It’s very sad to report that our Cheltenham Festival winner of the 2015 Brown Advisory & Mirabel Stable Plate Handicap Chase Darna passed away yesterday.

How could anyone ever forget a horse that wins you a Cheltenham Festival race, especially at 33/1?

We actually really fancied  that day, because he has his conditions.. the ground was good and quick. He’d had another wind operation, everything had come right for him, and on that one perfect day it all clicked. Twenty-four hours later, when the rain came and the ground went soft, he’d have had no chance. Timing is everything in life?

I’ll never forget the day David and Julie Martin rang to ask if I’d go to the Goffs Newbury Sales to look at a horse called Darna. He’d been trained up north and had won a hurdle race at Ayr.

Anyway, I went to see him, and when I rang them back I said, “Do you realise this horse has no tail?” He literally had a bobtail  I think the cows must have eaten it off!

When he came into the ring, I started bidding. The phone reception was dreadful, and I bid £100,000 and then the line went dead. So I plucked up courage went to £120,000 and bought him..

David and Julie were watching online, and when I rang back to tell them, they immediately said, “Who for?” Then, jokingly: “We gave you £100,000, to spend not £120,000!”

Of course, being who they are, they completely understood and we laughed about mobile reception and Vodafone being what they were and still are!

Darna turned out to be an absolute superstar for us. My God, did we have fun with him. He ran 19 times, won seven races, was placed second and third, and, of course, gave us that unforgettable Cheltenham Festival victory. How can you beat that? Those memories will stay with us forever.

He was a proper old-fashioned racehorse, tough, genuine, and willing every time he ran. He even won at Sedgefield and at Ascot, a real range for courses that showed his versatility. When he retired, he went to live with David and Julie Martin, where he had a wonderful, happy life until, sadly, age finally caught up with him at 19.

Happy memories, great memories, but what a horse he was.. He was a joy to train, a joy to watch, and a horse who gave us all such enormous pleasure. We were very lucky to have him, and we’ll never forget the fun and excitement he brought to us all.

We have just the one runner today at Uttoxeter. Home Made Hero heads there and for our thoughts please click here.

A special thanks must go to Racesafe, who very kindly sent us an emergency new set of colours for The Garretts after they had to be cut off Nathan post-tumble on Monday.... however, wires got crosses and the new colours were slightly incorrect. So, another phone call and they very kindly sent us the correct set within 20 hours of ordering, just in time for them to go to Stratford yesterday.... brilliant service!! 

To Finish.. Happy Birthday to Mrs B.. 

Plus 3 and dry when driving in. 2mm of rain yesterday... 

Ed Bailey bought a 3-year-old at Newmarket Horses in Training sales for us .. or rather Peter Kerr.. Peter has been looking for an ex flat horse for a new KBRS horse.. A horse with the ability to start off in this season’s juvenile hurdles.

The horse Ed bought is Lot 954 Bowling Shane, by Australia out of Ultra Appeal.. Topical name for a jumper for the winter with the Ashes just around the corner??..Bowling Shane is a full brother to Patrick Sarsfield a Group 3 winner and placed in a Group one. 

Bowling Shane is now with Jason Maguire where he will have a bit of a break while learning to jump at the same time.. If you are interested in finding out more please either email Peter peter@kimbaileyracing.com or ring him on 07901763643..

Top price of the day is going jumping and to NJH..

Shocking cricket from Englands men and women yesterday!

We have one runner today at Stratford. High Tea heads there and for our thoughts please click here.

This was sent over a couple of weeks ago..

The young female punk rocker with bright green hair comes into the emergency room with abdominal pain. The doctor determines she needs surgery.

In the OR, the nurse usually shaves the pubic hair prior to abdominal surgery. She notices the patient's pubic hair is also green, and Keep off the Grass is tattooed right above it.

When the patient wakes up and the bandage is removed, the doctor had written in pen - Sorry, had to Mow the Lawn.

Plus 9 and wet when driving in..6mm overnight

I hadn’t been to Ffos Las for a while, and honestly, how could I ever forget what a long, rather uneventful journey it is to get there? Not only that but you go through every form of varaible speed limit from 20 upwards! The last stretch always gets interesting, though, and no matter how many times you stick it in the sat-nav, it somehow finds a completely different route every single time.

Still, once you finally arrive, the welcome makes it all worthwhile..

The lovely Kallie, who runs the owners’ and trainers’ winning suite, came rushing up and said, “Good Lord, we haven’t seen you for ages! Your bottle of whisky’s still here waiting for you to have a dram before you go.” And, true to form, I did just that, especially as there was plenty to celebrate.

We were absolutely delighted with Gatineau Park. He ran a cracker, finished fifth, only beaten five lengths in what I thought was the best novice hurdle run this season.. I couldn’t be happier. He’s a lovely horse and I’m convinced time will show I’m right about him. Chasing in the future will definitely be his game, he jumped for fun yesterday..A horse with a big future I hope..

It was always good to catch up with Peter Bowen, who invited me to stay next time I’m down his way.

When I asked where he lived, he said about an hour and a bit from the racecourse. “Which direction?” I asked..“England or Ireland he said. ‘Ireland!”

Quite how he manages to drive an hour plus just to get past Ffos Las before heading up the M4 to England and then to whatever racecourse he goes to I’ll never know.

More big prices at the Tattersalls Newmarket Horses in Training sales yesterday.. more today? 

Wednesday morning..

Tom Bellamy and Ciaran Gethings were in to ride out.

We jumped The Kemble Brewery, Top Target, Thruthelookinglass, Coolanna, Guchen, Home Made Hero, Sogna In Grande, So You Know and Lully Du Houx, 

We have no runners today..

England Women play South Africa in the first of the semi finals of the World Cup.

England played New Zealand in the 2nd ODI...England have lost..

Cameron Norrie described his upset of Carlos Alcaraz as "the biggest win of my career" as he reached the Paris Masters last 16 with a gritty comeback against the world number one.

Did you know..

Swim often —And you will feel as free on land as a fish in water.

Look at the sky as often as you can —And your thoughts will become light and clear.

Speak less, and be silent more —And peace will settle into your soul like still water in a calm forest.

Plus 10 and dry when driving in. Damp roads after 1mm of rain.... You have to feel sorry for those living in Jamaica

The ups and downs of racing. Court In A Storm fell at the last when a tired horse after slightly racing with the choke out when upsides for most of the way.

CIAS is fine this morning although his jockey Nathan Andrews, who was taken to hospital after, is OK and back here this morning, although a bit stiff.

Tuesday morning brings in our usual vet visit and this week’s movers and shakers in the weekly BHA handicap charts were..Amazing Cleni down 3 to 89, Law Of Supply down 2 to 115 while White Noise enters at 109.

Racing news..

On Saturday Aiden O’Brien was crowed our Champion Flat Trainer for the eighth time..Aiden has also been champion trainer in Ireland every year since 1999..Remarkable man..

Axe The Racing Tax..All trainers and many others signed a letter to the Chancellor expressing our deep concern over Treasury proposals..

New research commissioned by the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has warned that Treasury proposals to raise the tax rate on betting will put 40,000 jobs at risk, channel £8.4bn in stakes to the black market and wipe £3.1bn off the sector’s UK economic contribution.

This year's Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase will be run in honour of legendary Irish trainer Edward O’Grady.

First day of the Tattersalls Newmarket horses in Training sale..Top lots going abroad.

We have one runner today at Ffos Las (spell check does not really understand this one?).. Gatineau Park heads there for his first start over hurdles and for our thoughts please click here.

Did you know..

Plant your tree where the mole digs — The soil is fertile and life thrives there.

Build your house where the snake basks in the sun —It is a safe and warm place.

Dig your well where the birds hide from the heat —There, you’ll find fresh, life-giving water.

Eat more greens —Your legs will grow stronger, and your heart more resilient — like the beings of the forest.

Plus 9 and dry when driving in.

A thoroughly good day out at Aintree yesterday!

Marciac jumped off in front in the two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle and simply never saw another rival. Rather never headed would probably be a better way to describe it.
 
Yes, he did jump a bit right and hang quite badly at times.. pure inexperience from being in front for so long, but jumping the last he stuck his head down and toughed it out in great style. 

It was a proper, honest performance and a cracking ride from Tom Bellamy. All in all, proof that the Martians Have Landed!

This syndicate is one of Peter Kerr’s new KBRS ventures, set up at the end of last season after Ed Bailey and I picked Marciac up at the Cheltenham Sales in February after he finished second in his Irish point. 

So, a big well done to all those  Martians Who Have Landed!!.. …Robert and Nicola Baillie, Jane Beyts, Vince Burmingham, Nick and Shan Cook, Derek Eaton, Ken Gray, Paul Higgs, Mervyn and Liz Humphrey, Alan James, John and Pat Lee, Jon Sancaster, David Shuttle and Nicholas Tucker. a thoroughly deserved win and, hopefully, the first of many. He’s a lovely horse with a very bright future… exciting times ahead!

A very happy couple of days at Cheltenham Racecourse, great to be back there. The sun shone, there was a touch of rain, and all in all it made for fantastic racing with a really good vibe about the place. A record crowd over the two days too.. Cheltenham’s on the up. It certainly deserves to be, and it was good to see.

We were obviously delighted with the way Island Bridge (best turned out) ran, he finished fourth, the rank outsider in the morning, but we always thought he’d run well. It was his first run over hurdles and staright over three miles, which tested him a bit, but he’s a very nice horse for the future.

All in all, a very good day, and John Perriss has had a great week with a winner at Worcester with White Noise as well as Saturday's 4th. The pictures of IB were taken by Neil Duggan

Going back to Cheltenham....Dominic Matcham is one of the few people in racing really putting his foot forward.. showing how to do it properly and how to bring new (young) people into our sport. His company, Invades, brought 5,000 students to Cheltenham on Saturday, which included Archie’s cousin Georgina Wills..

Georgina hadn’t been to an Invades raceday before, but she joined in with five other university teams and had an absolutely fantastic day at the races.

She said 'I had an amazing day with Invades, it was brilliantly organised, with a fantastic atmosphere, great music, and such a fun crowd. I  saw loads of friends from so many different universities..well-run, memorable event'

Now, I know some of the old-school brigade might grumble about the noise or the drinking, but the truth is these are the racegoers of the future.

In ten or fifteen years’ time, how many of them will be owners, or involved in racing in one way or another? Even if it’s only two percent then thats got to be good news. Anyway I have never met Dom.. (Click here and watch) but I’m a huge fan of what Invades are doing. Long may it continue.

Cricket..How did England lose the first ODI against New Zealand?? They did even after Harry Brook scored 135..At least the Womens team went through to their semi finals..

Brilliant Mexico Grand Prix last night. Lando Norris won but the title is very much up for grabs with 4 races to go.

Monday morning.

John Dewen was here mid morning to see his horse That'll Be Oxo.. Form filling for John (new owner to racing) with Molly and Sandie to help..

The Newmarket Tattersalls Horses in Training Sales start today and are on for most of the week.. Let me know if you would to get involved..

We have one runner today at Bangor.. Mat heads there to saddle Court In A Storm and for our thoughts please click here.

It was Ian Bullerwell's birthday yesterday and it is Nicholas Jones's and KBRS owner Peter Woodhall's birthdays today

Plus 8 and dry when driving in. 6mm of rain overnight

It is always exciting returning to race at Cheltenham after a summer break and yesterday was a treat. Lunch with Martyn and Sandra Steer-Fowler was excellent and great fun. The Cheltenham Club is so high you feel that you are almost watching racing from a helicopter..

Last nights Tattersalls sale of David Maxwell's horses did not disappoint although the top priced horse we all though would make more even at 400k.

David Maxwell now has to go racing without going into his beloved weighing room.. his riding days are over.. He had fun and rightly so.

Tom Bellamy and Ciaran Gething were in to ride out.

Alan and Jane Parker with daughter Isla were here third lot to see their horse Leo Wood

Joe Goldring + friend to see Joe's KBRS horse Parc d'Amour

Steve Winter, Dave Curtis, Justin Murphy and Ian Marmion to see Quad Kings

We have one runner today at Cheltenham and one tomorrow at Aintree.. Island Bridge runs today and Marsiac tomorrow and for our thoughts please click here.

Wincanton's card tomorrow has been abandoned because of the lack of rain.. Firm ground.

Don't forget the clocks go back an hour tonight.. lie in?

"Drink where the horse drinks —He will never drink bad water.

Place your bed where the cat sleeps —She knows where rest is most peaceful.

Eat the fruit that has been touched by the worm —For it fears no poison.

Pick the mushroom where the insect sits —They avoid what is harmful.

Have a great weekend and we will see you on Monday..

Plus 4 and dry when driving in...Wet here yesterday afternoon.. 10mm.

Not much fun at Fontwell for Mat and his team as Name Me Nicely suddenly started to hang to the left after making a mistake at the third hurdle and although he finished, he would have finished far closer if he had not.. hmmmm

There about 180 horses galloping at Worcester yesterday? £120.00 a horse good income for the racecourse especially when their season finished 24 hours before… A fellow trainer jokingly commented that Warwickshire mafia were out in force!.. Whatever, all good for business and good for trainers and our two horses thoroughly enjoyed their day out.. More days like that would be very welcome.

In my hurry yesterday I failed to mention that Marco Lehmann called in to see us. Marco is staying over for Cheltenham races.. He and his wife Julie have been involved in horses with us on and off for a while so it was good to see him. They actually live in Switzerland and have a couple of horses in training there and also in the The Czech Republic..The good news is that he now has a share in Jukebox King..

Englands third T20  against New Zealand was a wash out..

Mat was asked by his neighbours to stop playing and singing Mull of Kintyre.. So excited he was that his side Nottingham Forest won last night..  

Friday morning.

Alan James was here to see his KBRS horses 

Stuart Ballantyne was here with Russ to see his KBRS including The Kemble Brewery.

Our usual vet visit..

We are heading to Cheltenham via looking at David Maxwell’s horses that sell later tonight. Spoiling lunch with Martyn and Sandra Steer Fowler in the Cheltenham Club..

The Cotswold Team Chase takes place over Thorndale on Saturday and Sunday and two of our old warriors are taking part. Le Camelion and Rocky's Treasure..There could well be others but as yet I have not heard..

The old ones are often the best?

An old Irish man, Patrick, is dying and his family surrounds his death bed.

He asks for the nurses to be witnesses to his last verbal will.

He calls his older son over, and tells him he is leaving him his houses in Miller Street. His son says “Thank you, dad”.

He calls his daughter over, and tells her is is leaving her all of the apartments. She says “Thank you, dad”.

He calls his youngest son over, and tells him he is getting of all the offices. His son thanked him, and stood back.

To his wife he said she would get all the residential homes. Dabbing her eyes, she thanked him.

Patrick, relieved to have this settled, peacefully passed away.

The nurse said to the wife “Sorry for your loss, but I never knew that your husband owned so many properties!”

To which the wife said “What? Patrick was a window cleaner”.

To finsh .. Happy birthday to one of our KBRS owners John Battershall..

Plus 7, windy  and raining when driving in. 7mm overnight..

Well, that was that.. the curtain finally came down on Worcester’s summer season, and I’m pleased to say we signed off in style! 

White Noise, John Perriss’s new mare, whose was bought by Ed Bailey after she finished 2nd in an Irish point to point, got us off the mark in great fashion. She’d only run once for us last season when finishing third at Ffos Las, but she’s clearly grown up for her summer break. She jumped off in front, bowled along happily, and was never headed..a proper start-to-finish performance. WN is a lovely, big mare with plenty of scope, and she looks every inch a future chaser in the making.

It was special for John, who endured a winnerless season last time around, so this was just what the doctor ordered, a great way to kick off the new campaign. There were smiles all round, and rightly so.. John was beaming and just loves his horses, helped by the fact that he has them home during the summer and really gets to know them.

Our other two runners both did what we asked of them. Driving Miss ’Azy although finished down the field, but she jumped well and was in the mix being second and third for much of the way, so she’s definitely going the right way. 

Amazing Cleni, having his first go in a handicap, ran respectably too, he’ll learn plenty from that and will appreciate a bit more time and distance.

So, we left Worcester feeling a lot brighter than we arrived, a winner on the board, a few promising signs for the future, and happy owners to round it all off. Not a bad way to close their summer season!

What a fantastic evening we had last night at Dunkertons, when Richard Phillips compared an evening that drew a full house of people to hear stories about the late, great Captain Tim Forster.

A wonderful panel headed by Luke Harvey and included Hywel Davies, Graham Thorner, Fergal O'Brien and Henry Daly kept us laughing throughout with tales from their time working with the great man. It’s extraordinary to think that he’s been gone for 26 years, and yet he could still fill a room with adoring fans, and former staff who remember him so vividly and fondly..

I worked there, goodness knows how long ago for a couple of years, and eight or nine of the team from those days sat with me last night. What an extraordinary reunion and such an enjoyable evening.

Richard Phillips was superb: entertaining and effortlessly engaging. He’s absolutely tailor-made for these occasions and knows exactly how to work a room. He made the whole event a real pleasure from start to finish.

Thursday morning and our easy day.. it is going to be a wet one!

I am taking a couple of horses to gallop at Worcester where they are holding a schooling day.. Mat is heading to Fontwell to saddle Name Me Nicely and for our thoughts on his chances please click here.

Oh dear..England lost their first match of the Women's World Cup as they suffered a six-wicket defeat by the formidable defending champions Australia in Indore.

The men taken on New Zealand in the 3rd T20 this morning.. we are one up..

To finish.. Happy birthday to team member Alwena John..Her early birthday present arrived yesterday as she looks after and led up White Noise.

Plus 7 and dry when driving in.. Weather warnings for tomorrow.

Talking of warnings.. Those of you looking to travel to Cheltenham Races this weekend need to plan your journey as the A40 London Road in the Charlton Kings is closed...

Tom Bellamy was in to ride out.

We jumped..Lully Du Houx, Home Made Hero, Island Bridge, Faerie Cutlass, So You Know and Court In A Strom

Big game for the Englands womens cricket team as they play Australia this morning.

The West Indies beat Bangladesh in a 'super over' in their ODI yesterday

We have three runners at Worcester this afternoon. Driving Miss D’Azy, White Noise and Amazing Cleni and for our thoughts please click here.

A man was out in the garden, busy pulling weeds, when he realized he couldn’t find his rake. His wife was upstairs about to take a shower, so he shouted,

“Hey! Where’s the rake?”

She couldn’t hear him over the running water. “What?” she called back.

Frustrated, he decided to act it out. He pointed to his eye, then his knee, and made a raking motion. “EYE—KNEE—THE RAKE!”

His wife squinted down at him, confused. “What?”

He exaggerated the gestures again: “EYE—KNEE—THE RAKE!”

Finally, she nodded like she understood. Then she pointed to her eye… then to her left breast… then to her backside… and finally between her legs.

The man froze, staring up at her in disbelief. “What the hell does THAT mean?”

He stomped inside, marched upstairs, and demanded, “Alright, what was all that about?”

His wife rolled her eyes and replied matter-of-factly: “EYE—LEFT TIT—BEHIND—THE BUSH!”

To finish.. Happy birthday to Wally Pyrah.. I have not seen him for ages.. but I bumped into him at Kempton on Sunday..