Bailey's Blog

Plus 9 and drizzling when driving in. 4mm of rain here yesterday

It was wet at Kempton and certainly very, very wet driving there..

The rain at Kempton was not something Aamilah would have noticed for a second as she was far too busy concentrating on her first ever ride, and what a lovely job she did.

Riding Guchen for the Friends of Ebony Horse Club, she gave their horse a really good ride. Guchen jumped well, travelled nicely, and finished fifth.. a very pleasing run all round.

Everyone was full of praise for Aamilah, and quite right too. It was a big day for her, and she took it all in her stride, enjoying every minute. 

A huge thank you to the Friends of Ebony Horse Club for giving her the opportunity, and of course there’s a nice link there too with St. James’s City Farm and Riding School Gloucester, and Riding Dream Academy who have all been involved in supporting her.

All in all, it was a wonderful first experience for her, and she did herself proud. A very good day, even if it was a rather welcome soggy one!

Tuesday morning.

Ciaran Gethings and Tom Bellamy were around to ride out.

We have our usual vet visit and this weeks movers and shakers in the BHA handicap charts were..Amazing Cleni down 3 to 86, Faerie Cutlass down 2 to 87, Gerard Mentor down 1 to 82, The Kemble Brewery down 2 to 127, Parc d'Amour down 3 to 116 and Driving Miss D'Azy enters at 88.

Thanks for all the emails regarding Jeremy Deedes's comments as posted yesterday..

Most agree with him..And all agree about the adverts and most commented that both channels have excellent web sites offering loads of interesting racing related matter and help maintain interest in the sport. And all agree that Racing as a whole is incredibly lucky to have so much coverage from ITV..

An intertesting story for Rememberance Day from Ian Reid

Many years ago a young soldier and I was in military hospital.

The Queen came round on a visit. She talked to nearly every one, including me.

She said ‘’What’s the matter with you, young man?’’

To which I replied ‘’Boil on me bollocks, Your Majesty.’’

‘’Quite’’ she said walking away.

I’m sure you can imagine what happened to me afterwards. The RSM (Regimental Sergeant Major aka ‘God’) shouted at me until I thought my eardrums would burst, and I was finally marched in front of the CO (Commanding Officer) who told me in no uncertain terms that one didn’t speak like that to a lady - least of all the Queen and that I must learn to be more diplomatic.

There was a clerical mix up at Buckingham Palace. No Royalty should have visited that hospital for at least three years, but due to some stupid civil servant getting things wrong the following week Princess Anne came round!

Once again I was spoken to, this time by HRH

‘’Whats the matter with you, soldier.’’ asked Princess Anne

Remembering the trouble I’d got into last time I replied ‘’Boil on me neck, Your Highness’’

‘’Splendid.’’ said Princess Anne ‘’The boil on your bollocks cleared up then?’’

Plus 11 and dry when driving in. 18mm of rain over the weekend

Yesterday was Remembrance Sunday, and Clare and I joined her mother at the local church St Andrews in Hazleton for their 11 o’clock service. It was good to see General Hicks and Corporal Jones there.. a lovely, friendly gathering, and always a moving moment to pause and remember.

From there, we made our way to Ffos Las, where Mat was standing in the pouring rain.

Phantom Getaway ran well, finishing fourth. He jumped the second last upsides and in front, only to get run out of it on the run-in. He’s probably very badly handicapped for what he’s achieved, which makes it all the more frustrating, but still, he ran his race and gave his best.

Then there was Seatoit having his first go in a handicap, and beaten only a neck. Very, very frustrating indeed. He ran an absolute blinder, and a mistake at the third last probably cost him the race, but it was a really encouraging performance and showed us, that there’s plenty to look forward to.

A Saturday rant from Jeremy Deedes..

Kim. Something you might ponder. GRacing is becoming unwatchable on TV because of the relentless assault of advertisements.

There is no continuity on Sky now with ads being flashed almost before horses have passed the post. We pay a Sky sport subscription already and an even larger fee to Racing TV which favours racing from Ireland over England when there is a clash. It’s now by some way the most expensive tv service in the country.

It is madness and expensive for those of us who follow the sport that we still have two racing channels when there should be one.

It’s salt in the wound when we are not only charged two fees but then suffer second rate coverage because of the bombardment of advertising.

It would do us and racing all a favour if trainers, jockeys and owners said they would only give interviews to ITV until they review the advertising schedules which have been allowed to get out of hand.

Your thoughts on what Jeremy wrote?

McLaren's Lando Norris extended his championship lead with a dominant victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

England scored four second-half tries to see off a tough Fiji side in their second autumn international at Allianz Stadium.

Elena Rybakina claimed the biggest payday in women's tennis history by beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets in the WTA Finals.

We have one runner today at Kempton. Guchen runs there. owned by The Friends of Ebony Horse Club and he is going to be ridden by Aamilah Aswat.

Aamilah has been here with us at Thorndale for about 3 years and although she finished second in the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood last year this is her first professonal ride..For our thoughts please click here.

Ed Cookson helped with some picture hanging in the office.. Frankly he was soon sacked and Sandie Wilkinson's Steve McCoy took over.. more reliable..!

Andrew Dunn sent me this email..

As I am over 70 and accelerating towards 80, I enjoyed reading your list of the perks of my condition (saturdays blog).  As you are employed, you might appreciate this list of the type of work colleagues you might encounter.

KitKat: Always taking a break

Butter Knife: Not the sharpest tool in the box

Shaggy: “It wasn’t me”

E.T.: Just wants to go home

Motion Light: Only works when someone walks past

007: Zero motivation, zero skills, and seven bathroom breaks

Nemo: No one could ever find them

Dr Do-It-All: Thinks they do everything

Houdini: Escapes doing work

Blister: Shows up when the work’s done

Of course, my ex coworkers were all models of industry.

Plus 9 and dry when driving in. 4mm of rain overnight.

We were delighted with the way Driving Miss D’Azy ran yesterday. She’s gradually learning on the job, and that was certainly her best effort so far. I’m still not convinced she quite gets the trip, but you have to hold her up to have any chance of getting it..it’s a bit of a balancing act. That said, it was a very positive run and one that left us all smiling.

Keith and Liz Ellis went home happy with their homebred mare and Mat and Tom sounded equally cheerful on the journey back, which is always a good sign! So, all in all, a good day for everyone, and another little step forward for D’Azy.

Saturday morning..

No jockeys in this morning as first races all start too early.

Sally Arnott, Andrew Bean, Andrew Raynes, Heather Raynes were here for Dreamflight charity morning on the gallops ..Paul and Beverley Kavanagh bought theirs at a MND charity. Lewis Whyte bought his off our web site

Kevin Aherne and his grandchildren were here third lot to se his KBRS horse Isle Of Gold.

John and Mandy Battershall were here to see their KBRS horse Moon Rocket.

Derek Eaton was here to see his KBRS horse Marsiac.

Talkling racing and there is plenty of it today....We don't have a runner today but we have two runners tomorrow at Ffos Las. Phantom Getaway and Seatoit head there and for our thoughts please click here.

England v Australia Rugby League at Headingley 

England play Fiji in the Quilter Nations Series at Twickenham.

McLaren's Lando Norris said taking pole position for Saturday's sprint race was a "good start" to his Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend.

Bowler Mark Wood says he has "pulled up really well" from England's first days training in Australia as he bids to be ready for the first Ashes Test.

John Dewen sent me this one..

Perks of reaching 60 or being over 70 and heading towards 80!

1.    Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

2.    In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.

3.    No one expects you to run anywhere. People no longer call at 8pm and ask, ‘Did I wake you up?’

4.    People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

5.    There is nothing left to learn the hard way

6.    Things you buy won’t wear out.

7.    You can eat supper at 5pm.

8.    You can live without sex but not your glasses.

9.    Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.

10.    You can’t remember who sent you this list.. thankfully I can!

Have a great weekend and see you on Monday.

Plus 12 and dry when driving .. and foggy..

It’s a long way to go to Sedgefield, but I have to admit, when you get there it’s a really lovely little racecourse. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the place look so green, normally when I’ve been, it’s brown with mud! It just goes to show the time of year and what a difference the weather has made.

It’s a very friendly, knowledgeable crowd up there and we were made to feel extremely welcome. Paul and Elizabeth Kellar were wonderfully looked after, and we all came away having had a thoroughly enjoyable day’s racing. Their mare Faerie Cutlass (won best turned out) ran a perfectly respectable race and showed plenty of enthusiasm for a long way, which was exactly what we wanted to see. She’s had a long season, so she’ll now enjoy a well-earned winter break before coming back for a spring campaign.

The highlight of my day, apart from how well we were looked after, was the fact that three different people thought I was Henry Daly. What a compliment!

All in all, a long old drive home which took less time than the day before from Chepstow, but worth every mile for such a good day out.

Friday morning brings our vet in as usual and I am at the dentist!

We have one runner at Fontwell. Driving Miss D'Azy heads there and Mat is saddling.. For our thoughts please click here.

Ian Reid again...

A little boy and his grandfather are raking leaves in the yard. The little boy finds an earthworm trying to get back into its hole. He says, "Grandpa, I bet I can put that worm back in that hole." The grandfather replies, "I'll bet you five dollars you can't. It's too wiggly and limp to put back in that little hole."

The little boy runs into the house and comes back out with a can of hairspray. He sprays the worm until it is straight and stiff as a board. Then he puts the worm back into the hole.

The grandfather hands the little boy five dollars, grabs the hair spray and runs into the house. Thirty minutes later the grandfather comes backout and hands the little boy another five dollars. The little boy says,

"Grandpa, you already gave me five dollars."

The grandfather replies, "I know. That's from your grandma.

Plus 12 and dry when driving in.

Mick Fitzgerald presenting ATR summed up our day beautifully by saying, ‘not a great day at the office for Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls.’ I'm afraid to say he was absolutely right. 

Matty’s Getaway actually ran quite respectably. He finished fourth in what was a very, very good race. He was tired on the ground, but having said that, he tried to win the race and probably went quicker than he should have done. But no, no disgrace from him. 

The Kemble Brewery although he schooled well at home, his jumping on the racecourse certainly wasn't up to scratch. He honestly looked as though he had lead weights on his feet. He was really laboured over his fences. Then finally, he fell a rather tired horse at the last. He lay there for a while but eventually got up. That dreaded heart stopping moment when the screens were placed around him.. Thankfully he was only winded and was soon up..

It was lovely to hear the applause of the crowd appreciating the fact that he was up.. they clapped him and the devoted Mirella the whole way back to the stables.. 

Very sad, but we're back to the drawing board with him and ever hopeful that he'll be back when we have given him time to recover.. 

Amazing Cleni ran OK and will now be schooled over fences. There's plenty of hope for him in that sphere. 

Sea Of Fortune looked like he was going to play a big part turning into the straight, but then found out that the heavily watered ground really was more than he could cope with and he struggled with his breathing. So again, back to the drawing board with him. 

All of yesterdays runners are fine this morning.

So it wasn't our greatest day but then getting into my car to go home Mat rang and warned me that the M5 was chock-a-block as there had been an accident on the M5.

I put on Waze, which we all do. And that took me over the Severn Bridge and then rerouted me to parts of the country I'd never been to before (and never want to again!). I think probably all the traffic you could possibly imagine was rerouted by Waze the same way as I was.. the narrow roads we went down became totally gridlocked both ways. No one could move one way or the other.  

I could have driven to Sedgefield in less time that it took me to get home from Chepstow... 

So there you are, my day summed up.

When I eventually arrived home and poured myself a very large whiskey and sat down to review the day’s events.

Anyway, today is a new day and we start all over again. And I'm heading off to Sedgefield to saddle Faerie Cutlass.. For our thoughts on her chances please click here.

It could get worse??

Two Aussie Gold Prospectors in the Outback. One gets bitten on the ass by a Taipan.

“Oh my God mate” he screams, “phone the flying Doctor, them snakes are deadly”

His mate phones the Flying Doctor for advice.

“We can't get there in time” says the Doctor “the venom acts so quickly, he'll be dead by then. His only hope is for you to suck the venom from the bite wound….”

He gets off the phone and returns to his friend who is desperately waiting for news. “Well, what did they say mate?” He asks fearfully.

“I'm sorry mate……… he said there's no hope for ya…..”

Plus 14 and drizzling when driving in. 5mm landed here last night

18 degrees on my farm walk in Northamptonshire with Jono Booth, Allan Lamb. Marcus Learoyd and Fi, Lilly, Tom and Polly Wilson. Fun

Hope for some fun today too…

Tom Bellamy and Ciaran Gethings were in to ride out.

Mat went to walk Chepstow after first lot.

We have or hope to have 4 runners at Chepstow later today, Mattys Getaway, The Kemble Brewery, Amazing Cleni and Sea Of Fortune. For our thoughts please click here.

England Cricket team arrive in Australia..

Australia annouce their Ashes Squad..for the First Test in Perth..

Ian Reid sent this over..

Mother Superior wanted to remodel the lobby of the convent. She ordered materials for the project and assigned four nuns to do the work.

The nuns gutted out the lobby for painting but quickly got too hot. They didn’t want to get paint on their habits and were already sweating so they decided to do the work in the nude.

They stripped out of their clothing and began painting in the nude when then heard a knock on the door. They looked at each other stunned, not wanting to open the door while naked. “Who is it?” one of them asked.

“Blind man.” came a reply from the other side of the door.

The nuns reasoned that there would be no harm in opening the door for a blind man, so they opened the door. The man stood there holding a long narrow cardboard box and said “Nice tits! Which one of you ordered these blinds

Plus 12 and dry when driving in... rain on the way.

Gerard Mentor was third yesterday back over fences at Hereford.

Good old Gerald Mentor. Forty-six runs now..quirky as they come, but what a star. Five wins, eleven places and a few noble fourths for good measure. He just keeps turning up, giving his owners endless fun, and we’d love to see him hit the big 50. Strange old boy, but we wouldn’t change a hair on him!

The Melbourne Cup was won by Half Yours

No vet in this morning.. he was here yesterday. This weeks movers and shakers in the BHA handicap charts are.. High Tea has been given an opening mark of 105, Marsiac 124, Top Target put up 1 to 115 and good old Two For Gold dropped 2 to 145.

I am away today on a farm walk, studying grass growth in Northamptonshire..

Stephen Wallis talks to Tina Gough, the German International all rounder, Australian over 70s batter Murray Harrison , the Barmy Army trumpeter Simon Finch, me and David Tossell author of Blood on the Tracks, the story of England's 1974/75 tour of Australia.

Together, they share their thoughts ahead of the 2025 Men’s Ashes, discussing who they think will lift the urn, expectations for both sides, key players to watch, and what might unfold as England and Australia meet once again across Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney....A podcast on the Ashes..

SLEDGING is as much a part of the Ashes as Bradman, Benaud and Beefy Botham.

There’s a rich history with combatants from England and Australia giving as good as they get - and members of the crowd chiming in with some beauties as well over its 140-year history.

We’ll never know for sure whether Alfred Shaw sledged Charles Bannerman with his first delivery at the MCG on March 15, 1877, to mark the beginning of Australia-England Test rivalry.

Here are a few examples..

Shane Warne v Paul Collingwood

Every member of England’s 2005 Ashes winning team were awarded MBEs. This included Paul Collingwood whose sole contribution was scoring 17 at The Oval.

Warne: “You’ve got an MBE, right? For scoring 17 at The Oval? That’s embarrassing.”

Jimmy Ormond v Mark Waugh

Waugh: “There’s no way you’re good enough to play for England.”

Ormond: “Maybe not, but at least I’m the best player in my own family.”

Fred Trueman v Australian batsman

Trueman: “Don’t bother shutting the gate, son, you’ll be back soon.”

Craig McDermott v Phil Tufnell

After getting bowled by Phil Tufnell:

McDermott: “You’ve got to bat on this in a minute, Tuffers. Hospital food suit you?”

Australian fan v Phil Tufnell

Fan: “Oi, Tufnell! Can I borrow your brain? I’m building an idiot.”

Ian Healy v Nasser Hussain

After Steve Waugh instructed Ricky Ponting to field under Nasser Hussain’s nose:

Healy: “That could be anywhere inside a three-mile radius.”

Thankfully I was never that good a batsamn..!

Ashes dates..

To finish.. Happy birthday to my joint favourite neice.. Clover Wootton/Savage...

Plus 12 and dry when driving in. 4mm of rain fell here over the weekend.

So You Know was slightly a result we might not have been expecting. Yes we were hoping he would run well and be placed, but to win was a huge result.

It was good ride from Tom Bellamy who gave the horse time  to settle and get used to racing, and even jumping the last it looked like we would be second, but the pair of them showed great determination to get their heads in front.

Another good day for one of Peter Kerr’s KBRS horses..

So You Know is owned by the Here We Go Again Syndicate who are.. Peter and Lois Burke, Mark and Rachel Burt, John and Kate Elliot, Richard and Sara Fabian, Andrea and Jon Glover, John and Sue Humphreys, Alan James, Paul and Didi Joslin, Richard Keeley, John and Pat Lee and David Shuttle

So You Know who is a half brother to yard star Does He Know was bought by Aiden Murphy for us at the Goffs Landrover sales last june.

PS on the above.. SYK was Alan James's 40th winner since he joined our KBRS in May 2018

Parc d’Amour rather brought us down to earth as we had hoped that he would go close but turning for home his wind caught him out.. hmmmm..

Looking back..

What an extraordinary weekend of racing, capped, incredibly, by the champion jumps trainer in England and Ireland, Willie Mullins, winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf with Ethical Diamond who ran over hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival. Truly remarkable. Hats off to him and everyone involved. Just amazing.

Closer to home, it was a great weekend’s racing for us too. We were thrilled with Top Target at Wetherby, who finished third, beaten two lengths on his first run over fences. He jumped like an old pro and put in a seriously pleasing performance.

And dear old Two For Gold, at the grand age of twelve, showed once again how much he loves his racing, especially at Ascot. He battled all the way, tried his heart out.. The ground was probably just a bit too sharp for him on the day, but what a wonderful horse he is. If the handicapper is kind and gives us a few pounds back, who knows, we might steal a win with him yet. 

Sadly, the weekend has been overshadowed by the tragic events on the train outside Huntingdon. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.

India won the Womens World Cup beating South Africa..

Jannik Sinner beat Felix Auger-Aliassime to win his first Paris Masters title and reclaim the world number one ranking from rival Carlos Alcaraz.

England beat Australia at Twickenham

Monday morning and a note in my diary here is a message from Molly which says.. Order Christmas cards!

We have one runner today at Hereford. We run Gerard Mentor and for our thoughts please click here.

Great quote..

Alcohol is killing me slowly.

Thats OK.. Im not in a hurry..

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..