Bailey's Blog

Plus 7 and dry when driving in.

Ciaran Gethings, Johnny Burke and Harry Bannister were here to ride out. Tom Bellamy in to watch..

We jumped some of our chasers over fences on our all-weather schooling strip.

We jumped Brendas Asking, Coolanna, Court In A Storm, Draco Malfoy, Gatineau Park, Guchen, High Tea, Island Bridge, Law Of Supply, Make Me Smile, Mybluesuedeshoes, Sogna In Grande, Step Ahead and Washington Parks

We Brits love talking weather!.

Well..

This weather really is having a dire effect on jump racing. Next week’s Warwick meeting has been abandoned, despite them racing there only a week ago on ground officially described as good to firm. Ludlow’s October meeting has also been cancelled.

Chepstow’s big early season meeting will now be an all-hurdle card, with the chases moved three days later to Ffos Las, which will stage an all-chase card. Fixtures are being rearranged wherever possible to help, but there is only so much anyone can do without rain.

We are reluctant, unless we know they can handle it, to run our horses on watered ground .. That is when problems can arise, and the last thing we need is to start the season with horses on the sidelines. So, we will be patient and wait for rain. Frustrating for everyone, but there is little else to be said.

Yesterday there was A Royal winner at Listowel..

Football in turmoil? Manchester City.. Beyond me, but certainbly not good new for them!.. I am sure Mat will have plenty to say on this subject?

Karen Sheldon sent this over.. Being in your 60s is confusing.

On Paper I'm 60.

In my head I'm 37.

At a concert I'm 25..

After 9pm I'm 87..

Getting off the floor I'm 104..

When someone makes me mad I'm  2.

But when an 80's song comes on.. I'm drunk in a field and my mother thinks I'm at a sleepover.

Have a great weekend and see you on Monday

Plus 12 and dry when driving in.

Jeremy Bradbeer’s memorial and thanksgiving service was quite extraordinary. There must have been at least 700 people in the most stunning church. Great hymns that we knew and as a result everyone was in good voice, so the singing was wonderful.. Nick Sutton, a long-standing friend of Jeremy’s, gave an excellent eulogy.

Drinks and eats followed in the churchyard on a stunningly sunny afternoon. It was a sad day, especially for Jeremy’s family, but there were plenty of laughs and memories shared too. A very special send-off.

Mat's trip to Perth was less memorable. Marsiac looked to be going well until a mistake, but never really got back into the race afterwards.Hmmmm.

Cricket..England lost but it was a really good game to watch. Jos Buttler pulled a ham string at the wrong moment and as a result he went off the field at a pivotal point of the match. Even though he returned he was not able to hit the ball as hard or run.. Sri Lanka deserved their win.. Final match on Sunday at The Oval.

This amused me even though the age is wrong!

Being in your 50s is confusing..

On paper I am 55...

At a concert I'm 24...

After 9pm, I'm 88...

Getting off the floor makes me 115...

But when the 80's music starts playing, I'm 17 all over again..

Plus 6 and dry when driving in.

Jump racing was back in action at Perth yesterday, where El Rio became the first of what I call our winter horses to run.

Having been off the racecourse for the best part of a year, he looked magnificent in the paddock and deservedly won the best-turned-out prize. (Well done Leigh)

El Rio was running an absolute blinder until unfortunately falling at the second-last. He appeared to jump the fence perfectly well but tipped on landing and was then rolled over by another horse.

According to his jockey Ciaran Gething ER would undoubtedly have finished third, which would have been an excellent comeback run. ER was quickly looked at by the vets who added a few stitches in a hind leg, but hopefully they will soon heal.. besides that the vets were happy with him..

Ciaran is OK after ..

The vagaries of jump racing: hugely encouraging to see him run so well after such a long absence, but incredibly frustrating to see it end that way. Onwards and upwards.

Marsiac runs at Perth today and for our thoughts on his chances please click here.

The reason why I am not at Perth races is because I am attending Jeremy Bradbeer's memorial service in Grantham.. so sad.. he was an exceptionally good person and a good mate.

The first major yearling sales have been at Tattersalls in Ireland this week and as usual the trade has been strong.

 The second of three ODI's.. England against Sri Lanka takes place today at Headingley.

Plus 16 and dry when driving in.

Our new dog Jackson attempted to eat my reading glasses.. well he managed to remove a lense! Back to KH yesterday and while they repaired them I went and watched Pressure at the Trivoli .. A first and.. A film every man should watch.. an excellent film.. Pressure

Ciaran Gethings and Mat left early to catch a plane to Edinburgh.. Two days at Perth races for them

No Jockeys in although Francis Keogh called for a chat second lot and Tony Pamer called in mid-morning to see his KBRS horses Moon Rocket and Gambling Echo.

We have one runner today at Perth and one tomorrow. El Rio runs today and for our thoughts please click here.

Cricket. England ground out an 89-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first one-day international at Chester-le-Street. They have now won their last 9 matches..

A female cyclist from Afghanistan who previously disguised herself as a man when chasing a career in the sport has won a silver medal at the Asian Games.

Hurricane Fly the dual Champion Hurdle winner has died at the ripe old age of 22.. Alastair Down's report on the day Hurricane Fly won the Champion Hurdle for a second time in 2013

This dry weather is causing problems..Newbury and the BHA are working on a contingency plan for the track's jumps season opener to be staged on the Flat track to give both the hurdles and chase courses more time to prepare for the season ahead.

Former ‘Cock O' The North’ jockey John Lowe died in hospital in Perth, Western Australia on Monday after suffering a stroke. He was 75.

To finish. It was Tom Bellamy's birthday yesterday and to celebrate he escaped from hospital.. Home now.

Plus 13 and dry when driving in.

Wolverhampton last night. Not brilliant, but.

You have no idea how difficult it is sometimes to find the right races for horses. Grey Sands was balloted out last week in a suitable one and as a result had to run over a longer trip last night..

Jockey booking was Dougie Costello, who as an ex jump jockey (rode winners over fences and hurdles for me 20 years ago!) probably can tell you more after and his verdict was encouraging. Back in trip when we can find one.. and..

Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, owner of the mighty Mtoto and other star performers, including the successful globetrotter Addeybb, died on Monday at the age of 76.

We have our usual vet visit this morning and a few more gastroscopes..Important to keep an eye on ulcers as they are the bane of a trainer life.. Along with wind problems!.. Both can hugely affect a horses performance.

This day last year, Mrs B and I flew to Cork to stay with Francis and Katharine Brooke at Glenbevan. The plan was to see Chianti Classico and take in the Kerry National at Listowel, which takes place tomorrow.

We watched Chianti work at Enda Bolger's and could not have been more pleased with him. Sadly, a few days later it transpired that he wasn’t quite 100%, and Francis quite rightly decided to retire him rather than risk anything going wrong.

The following day we headed to Listowel, where a huge crowd enjoyed a cracking day’s racing. We also fitted in dinner at the Dunraven Arms, where Ascot Racecourse hosted a dinner to thank Irish trainers for their support... A thoroughly enjoyable trip.

Engalnd take on Sri Lanka in the first of their 3 ODI's at Durham today..

Wargames.. not a good watch..scary

But....Life needs a brighter side.. Have you watched 'Why Him'?

If you watched the trailer then you will understand this.

Plus 9 and dry when driving in.

Talk about extremes of weather. Torrential rain at Ayr on Saturday morning put the meeting in jeopardy, with two inspections before racing finally went ahead, delayed and on heavy ground. Meanwhile, down here we were enjoying an incredibly warm day. Another week of afternoon temperatures reaching 25 or 26 degrees lies ahead. Nothing changes, does it?

Yesterday was rather different.

James Mayhew, who accompanied us on our recent visit to the First World War battlefields, suggested I join him and Cathy T-D for the Harvest Festival at St Nicholas Church in Oddington. It was a lovely service in one of the most beautiful churches I have ever set foot in... Reason for the suggestion was that Alastair Watson, who led and talked to us on our WW1 battle tour donated his fee to this stunning church.

Dating back to the 11th century, it has no electricity and therefore no heating. Perfectly comfortable yesterday, although I suspect rather less welcoming in the depths of winter! An extraordinary church with the stunning Doom Painting.. A must visit..

Then home for lunch with the grandchildren. A full-on, fairly hectic day, but a thoroughly enjoyable one.

Monday morning.

Ciaran Gethings was in to ride out.

We used our new Flexi Chase fences for the first time.. excellent fences for schooling at home and they are protable. El Rio was the first to jump them.

Richard Chugg and Cameron Crawford-Smith were here for a great deal of the morning discussing insurance..Expensive..

We have a runner at Wolverhampton tonight. Grey Sands heads there and for our thoughts please click here.

England steamrollered Sri Lanka in the third T20 to complete a 3-0 series clean sweep and return to number one in the world rankings.

Talking cricket

Karen Sheldon sent this over..The easy way to explain cricket..

Cricket is quite simple..

You have two sides, one out in the field and one in. Each man that's in the side that's in goes out, and when he's out he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out. When they are all out, the side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in, out. Sometimes you get men still in and not out.

When a man goes out to go in, the men who are out try to get him out, and when he is out he goes in and the next man in goes out and goes in. There are two men called umpires who stay out all the time and they decide when the men who are in are out. When both sides have been in and all the men have been out, and both sides have been out twice after all the men have been in, including those who are not out, that is the end of the game.

Plus 15 and dry when driving in.

Ciaran Gethings and Johnny Burke were in to ride out.

We decided that a day’s schooling would be good for a few..The following all jumped hurdles on our recently refurbished all-weather schooling strip.. Brendas Asking, Connell Cross, Draco Malfoy, El Rio, Feel No Fear, Guchen, Hidden Mountain, High Tea, Hillberry Hill, I Spy A Diva, Lully du Houx, Marsiac, Matty’s Getaway, Moon Rocket, Milo of Croton, Myblueseuedshoes, Reallyntruthfully, So You Know, Step Ahead, Washington Parks and Wild Goose.

John Perriss was here second lot to see his horses, while Derek Eaton was here third lot to see his KBRS horses Marsiac and Campaign Trail.

We have a really taking mare for lease.. This is an ideal way to become involved without the worry of pourchasing a horse.. Click here to read more.. 

The weather brought an early end at Chester-le-Street as Worcestershire were denied the chance to become the first team this season to beat County Championship Division Two leaders Durham.

So on that note Durham had an end of season celebration last night.. they are back in Division One next season..

Brydon Carse will face no further action from the police after an investigation into an alleged assault in Derby last month was dropped.

England play Sri Lanka in their last T20 at Old Trafford.

Keely Hodgkinson powered to victory in a custom-made full-body speed suit before being presented with a Tiffany & Co crown as Athlos made its London debut.

Saffie Osborne talks..to the BBC..

Dennis Lillee to any batsman: "There's some shit at the end of your bat" The batsman then proceeds to check the end of his bat "Wrong end mate"

Have a great weekend and see you on Monday.

Plus 10 and dry when driving in.

Last night’s talk by Rishi Sunak really was fascinating. I knew he was mad keen on cricket, but I hadn’t realised quite how deep his knowledge went. Whatever your politics, he is an extraordinary man.. dignified, charming and, I believe, a thoroughly decent man.

After Rishi  Mo Bobat and Andy Flower were on the stage being interviewed by Mark Nicholas.

To listen and watch the speeches please click here.

Lord’s was packed, John Disney and I had a very enjoyable evening and, thankfully, the drive home was entirely uneventful.

England crushed Sri Lanka in their second T20 to win the series.. They play their last T20 tomorrow at Old Trafford

Worcestershire seem well-placed to inflict a first defeat of the season on promoted Durham after their seamers took six wickets in the evening session at Chester-le-Street.

Over to Martin Jones’s mid-morning to see the youngsters he has there at the moment. Meeting up with Paul and Elizabeth Keller to see and discuss their four-year-old by Passing Glance, and John and Laura Garrett to see their two youngsters as well.

Good to catch up with everybody and see how the young horses are progressing.

Plus 13 and drizzling when driving in.

Our in house 5 to follow closes at 5pm tonight! Get those entries in please..

Thursday is our easy day!

The grass is recovering well, and the country is looking green again but..

This weather is becoming seriously frustrating. We’ve started working quite a few horses with a view to getting them out in early October, which is normally when we start getting going properly.

We might have a couple of runners at Perth next week, where they’re talking about good to soft ground, but there’s not an earthly chance of finding anything like that elsewhere..

Most dual purpose racecourses that have been racing on the flat are talking, behind the scenes, about running hurdle race cards only, with the hurdles on their flat track.. but.. the longer this dry weather carries on, the more rain we’re going to need before the ground is anywhere near suitable for proper winter horses.

So, it’s a real juggling act. Do we keep pushing on and hope the rain arrives, or do we hang fire? Frankly, it’s a nightmare.

But we’re not alone. Every jump trainer in the country will be looking at the forecast and asking exactly the same question… when is it going to rain?

Mark our vet was in this morning doing some routine gastroscopes

England take on Sri Lanka in the second of three T20's tonight at Sofia Gardens

Talking cricket..

I am a guest of John Disney at a Lord's dinner tonight where the guest speaker is Rishi Sunak..

I am doing the honours of driving to avoid..

3 drunk Lord's members entered a taxi 

The taxi driver knew that they were drunk so he started the engine & turned it off again. Then said, "We have reached your destination".

The 1st guy gave him money & the 2nd guy said "Thank you".The 3rd guy slapped the driver.

The driver was shocked thinking the 3rd drunk knew what he did. But then he asked "What was that for?".

The 3rd guy replied, "Control your speed next time, you nearly killed us!" 

Plus 8 and dry when driving in.

Always good to see relations, and it was really good catching up with Karen and Warwick down in Essex...

Having posted my blog yesterday morning, I almost immediately received an email from Rachel Wilson asking if I would call in on my way to Philip Southgate’s funeral.. Jokingly.. it was more of a royal command!

Rachel, whose husband Richard loved having horses with us, lives close to where I was heading for Philip Southgate’s funeral. Rachel is remarkably sprightly, and we spent a lovely hour and a half reminiscing about old times and the fun we have had over the years. Yes a remarkable lady.

From there it was on to Philip’s funeral which was a proper Norfolk farming occasion. A huge crowd, wonderful Norfolk farming accents.. Two very good eulogies and some great hymns and singing including Andy Burnhams probable favourite, Jerusalem!

Philip was a big man in every sense of the word. He really was larger than life character: racing, farming, cattle dealing, cricket, chickens, you name it, he was probably involved. He certainly lived life to the full, and it was very typical of Philip that he had asked for the Test Match Special theme tune to be played as his coffin left the church.

A sad day, but one full of very fond memories and also great to see Tom and Jane Jonason there.. I have not seen them for ages..

Wednesday morning.

Ciaran Gethings was in to ride out. We took Marsiac, Law Of Supply, El Rio and Wild Goose for an away day..

Sky Sports Racing were here to film Aamilah..Josh Apiafi in charge..

London has missed out to Nairobi in the bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships.

Harry Brook hit a brutal century and drew comparisons with Kevin Pietersen as England thrashed Sri Lanka by 119 runs in the first T20 in Southampton last night.

GBGB thanked the Countryside Alliance for including greyhound racing in its ‘Campaign for the Countryside,’ which launched in Westminster on Monday.