Bailey's Blog

Plus 11 and dry when driving in. 2mm of rain overnight

Grey Sands was third last night at Lingfield, beaten a couple of lenghts. He was 11bs higher for his last win and 3 lbs for moving to the UK from Ireland.. A good start and we learnt a great deal about him. Big family night out for the Andrews family at their local racecourse. Phil Andrews has just moved near Lingfield.. 

Tom Bellamy was in this morning to ride out.

Today is really all about our four runners at Haydock Park Racecourse..or what should have been Cheltenham Racecourse.

The next two days were meant to be at Cheltenham, but with the drainage issues they’ve having on the course, the meeting has been rerouted, and today’s card now sits at Haydock. We’re very grateful the mares’ races have been saved, they’re important races and deserve their place.

I’d imagine they’ve worked hard on the ground up there, but whether they pull in the same crowd as Cheltenham would have is another question. You’d think plenty who planned for Cheltenham might give it a miss.

That said, we’re delighted to be heading there.

Our four runners are Matty’s Getaway, White Noise, Moon Rocket, and Brendas Asking and for our thoughts on their chances please click here.

Mrs B is a bit of tennis and padel player/fan and this Friday at Far Peak..are having a fiesta.. Come along and support.. watch and enjoy..5.30 to 9pm

Yesterday's photo session with Aamilah with her new sponsors Grace & Dotty went well.. Photos of from Nigel Kirby..

John Graves sent this one over.

A blonde, wanting to earn some money, decided to hire herself out as a handyman-type so she started canvassing a wealthy neighborhood.

She went to the front door of the first house and asked the owner if he had any jobs for her to do.

"Well, you can paint my porch; how much will you charge?"

The blonde said, "How about £50?"

The man agreed and told her that the paint and ladders that she might need were in the garage.

The man's wife, inside the house, heard the conversation and said to her husband, "Does she realize that the porch goes all the way around the house?"

The man replied, "She should, she was standing on the porch."

A short time later, the blonde came to the door to collect her money.

"You've finished already?" he asked.

"Yes," the blonde answered, "and I had paint left over so I gave it two coats".

Impressed, the man reached into his pocket for the £50.

"And by the way," the blonde added, "that's not a Porch, it's a Ferrari."

To finish happy birthdays to team player Kai Werry and to Alan Halsall, and two very special ladies.. Julie Martin and Cathy Twiston-Davies.

Plus 3 and dry when driving in

Tuesday morning brings our usual vet visit and this week’s mover and shaker in the BHA handicap charts was The Kemble Brewery who went up 2 to 129.

Late morning, we welcomed Richard and Karen Ellis, of Grace & Dottie .. they were here to see our conditional jockey Aamilah Aswat.. They have just signed a year contract to sponsor Aamilah..

The ever-effervescent Roger Hart sorted everything out and rumour has it that Nigel Kirby will joining us with his camera for a photo shoot with all those involved.. Mat has had a hair cut in case he is asked to join in.

We have a rare runner on the flat tonight on the all-weather at Lingfield. Grey Sands heads there and for our thoughts please click here.

Sad news reached us last night from Peter Kerr that Olive Smith has passed away aged 91.

Peter Smith rang me on Sunday morning to say Olive wasn’t well.

Only a couple of days earlier she’d been out gardening, then suddenly developed a pain in her leg. She went into hospital and on Sunday all her family gathered around her, and sadly she passed away last night.

Peter and Olive have always been amongst my favourite syndicate owners. They had that wonderful outlook on life..just get on with it and enjoy it. Peter, now in his 90s, has seen off more than most, and together they’ve always brought nothing but enthusiasm and positivity to having horses with us.

They’ve been involved in syndicates with Peter Kerr for over 30 years, firstly with Peter Harris and then with us at Thorndale, and they became a huge part of our story having shares in so many of our in house KBRS..and were involved in horses every year that Peter Kerr has been here and only recently joined one in Double Ten....

They always drove up from Somerset..punctual to the minute, smiling, full of life. Truly special people.

Heart felt condolences from all here to Peter and all their family. Olive was a wonderfully smiley person, and she will be hugely missed.

Minus 1 and dry when driving in.

Saturday’s Grand National was a proper old-fashioned race..dramatic, unpredictable, and a brilliant watch.

I Am Maximus was hugely impressive winning it for the second time, having now finished second and won it twice in three runs. You’d imagine he’ll be back next year to try and match Red Rum’s record.

Willie Mullins’ fourth win puts him alongside the Grand National greats of Fred Rimell and Ginger McCain, while JP McManus now leads the owners’ standings outright with 4 wins.

A great day for racing, even if, as always, there were a few hard-luck stories along the way.

We had two runners over the weekend, both reverting to hurdles after disappointing spells over fences, and both ran very well.

Chepstow on Saturday The Kemble Brewery, with David Bass back on board, was just touched off late and finished a very solid second.

Reallynthruthfully ran at Wincanton yesterday and, although fourth, wasn’t beaten far after hitting the front two out. Both look set to win races again staying over hurdles.

Yesterday we hosted the retirement party for Does He Know, and it was exactly what syndicate ownership should be about..great people, good fun, and plenty of stories. Coffee and photos at the yard followed by a very good lunch at The Frogmill, all superbly organised by Karen Masters. A big thank you to everyone who came, and especially to Mirella, who looks after DHK so well.

DHK will spend the summer here out at grass before Mrs B finds him the right home to enjoy his retirement .He is a lovely horse who owes nobody anything.

I recieved this email on Saturday..

Hi there..

Just heard that Tom Bailey is looking for a girlfriend. My daughter is looking for a boyfriend. She is a nurse and animal lover. If Tom is interested, tell him to let me know and I will let her know!

Might be the first Aintree match….!!

Sadly I had to reply saying that you have the wrong Tom!

Jannik Sinner returned to top spot in the world for the first time since early November after a 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 Monte Carlo Masters final over Carlos Alcaraz

I am tired this morning having watched the Masters golf all night.

I will finish as I started today’s blog. Dramatic, unpredictable and a brilliant watch.. Rory claims his second Green Jacket and he becomes the 4th person to win two Masters.. Yes, finish as I started! It all about 4's.. 

To finish.. Happy birthday to Grand National winning jockey Jason Maguire..

Plus 9 and drizzling when driving in.

Mrs B and I joined some mates for supper in Henrys in Cirencester..Look out The Old Butchers!

They are home..

David Carey sent this over..

I had the great pleasure of meeting and chatting to Buzz Aldrin for some time whilst presenting an aviation medicine lecture to the Aerospace Medical Association around 20 years ago in the USA.

I wonder what he would have made of “The furthest astronauts have ever flown from  the Earth”?

When nearly 60 years ago this guy and his colleague not only flew there but landed and walked on the moon; without any of the technology available today, not even a calculator - just a slide rule.

The difference in distance between Apollo 13 (248,655 miles) and Artermis II (252,756 miles) is just over 4,000 miles i.e. 1% further. Not a monumental feat given the 60 year lapse and the what Apollo 11 actually achieved.

I have great respect for the astronauts concerned and there achievement but let’s put it into perspective. No-one has even mention what was achieved 60 years ago which dwarfs this by comparison.

'Astounding' McIlroy birdies six of last seven to hold record Masters lead

Saturday morning..

No jockeys in this morning as both Ciaran and Tom are up at Aintree..

Nick and Gayle Coleridge were here for a morning on the gallops

Calum Carter and Vanessa Merret were here to see their KBRS horse Matty's Getaway

John and Meryl King were here to see their KBRS horse Mybluesuedeshoes

Robert and Nicola Bailey were here to see their KBRS horses Double Ten, Marsiac and Hidden Mountain.

We have one runner The Kemble Brewery today at Chepstow and tomorrow Reallynthruthfully heads to Wincanton and for our thoughts please click here.

My thoughts on horses that will finish in the first 4 in todays Grand National..I Am Maximus, Panic Attack, Johnnywho and Three Card Brag.

Mat's 4 are Grangeclear West, Haiti Couleurs, Jagwar and Twig..

Tomorrow is all about celebrating Does He Know’s retirement and the wonderful journey he’s taken his owners on.

Most of 'The Yes He Does Syndicate' are coming to the yard, first for coffee and a chance to see him, give him a pat, and grab a few photos together. It’ll be a very relaxed way to mark the occasion here at Thorndale.

After that, they’ll head off..retiring in a slightly different fashion, to The Frogmill for lunch, where I’m sure a few stories and probably a few embellishments will be shared.

I could go on for pages about the fun we have had with DHK.. He is the nearest to a human any horse could be.. His eyes tell the story.. bright, intelligent and that show that shade of mischief! 

Have a great weekend and see you on Monday.

Plus 5 and dry when driving in.

A day at Aintree during the Grand National meeting is always time well spent. Yesterday was a really fun day..plenty of old friends, plenty of laughs, and just an enjoyable atmosphere all round.

I drove up and, remarkably, had a completely clear run. Mat drove back and reported much the same, which is almost unheard of on the M6 especially around Birmingham.

We didn’t come home with anything from the sales. The horse we went to see didn’t quite do it for us, and with another sale at Cheltenham Racecourse next week, that might prove a bit more straightforward anyway.

As ever, the prices were eye-watering.....records tumbling and vendors smiling. It never ceases to amaze me what these horses make, but if people are willing to pay it, that can only be a positive for the game.

All in all, a cracking day, good company, smooth travelling, and some excellent racing thrown in for good measure.

Friday morning brings in our usual vet visit.

Mat heads south with John Perriss for the day… 

Rory McIlroy going well in the defence of his Masters Title 

Day two of Aintree's Grand National meeting..

To finish.. Happy birthday to Dougie..sadly a lonely boy as we had to make the awful descision to put Bert down as his injury was not healing.

Plus 9 and dry when driving in.

That was a cracking day yesterday, glorious sunshine, 25 degrees, proper summer stuff. Hottest April day for 80 years!

Ideal if you’re in the garden, less so if you’re trying to train horses that want soft ground… frustrating, but that’s racing.

Thursday is our usual easy day, so Mat and I are off to Aintree. We’ve been invited to lunch by the Chairman Julian Taylor, which should be fun.. and we’ll probably also have a look at the horses in the sales while we’re there.

A day away and we love Aintree even without a runner.

This one was from Ian Reid..

A lawyer and a farmer are sitting on a flight.

The lawyer proposes: "If you can't answer my question, you pay me £5. If I can't answer yours, I pay you £500."

The lawyer asks a difficult science question. The farmer doesn't know it and pays him £5.

The farmer then asks: "What has three legs when walking and four when flying?"

After hours of searching, the lawyer gives up and pays the farmer £500.

Curious, the lawyer asks, "So what’s the answer?"

The farmer reaches into his pocket, hands the lawyer £5, and goes back to sleep.

Plus 7 and dry when driving in.

23 degrees yesterday and expected to be above that today..

Tom Bellamy and Ciaran Gethings were in to ride out.

Paul and Elizabeth Kellar were here second lot to see Faerie Cutlass. Paul thankfully was able to sort my lovely old James McCabe clock .. repairs in part exchange for a bacon butty?

John and Laura Garrett were here third lot to see their Park View horses.

The build up to this weekends Grand National starts in earnest. We know what is likely to run in the race after yesterday 5 day confirmations and the meeting starts tomorrow

The US Masters starts tomorrow..Defending Masters champion Rory McIlroy speaks to BBC Sport NI's Stephen Watson

Lets hope this is the start of the end..

David Simkins sent this one over..

Paddy and Murphy were 2 farm boys from a rather remote Irish village.

Each Saturday evening they caught the bus into the local market town and met up with their mates for a drink and some craic, or went to a dance.

One Saturday they over indulged, missed the last bus and having no money for a taxi started to walk home.

On the town outskirts they passed the bus depot, the doors were open and all the buses lined up inside.

Paddy said ' I know what we'll do , I can drive a bus, you keep watch, Murphy, while I nip in and get a bus, it won't be stealing because we'll leave it where it can be found tomorrow, we're only borrowing it! 

Paddy went in but he was gone sometime. Murphy got worried and went to see where he was. He called out to Paddy ' What's up, Paddy, why are you taking so long?' 

Paddy said ' I've looked all round and can't find a 107 anywhere !'. 

Murphy said ' you daft bugger, don't worry about a 107! Just bring that 99, we can walk from the crossroads!'

Plus 7 and dry when driving in.. 

Hereford was buzzing yesterday. They had a big crowd, warm weather and a proper Bank Holiday atmosphere.

Frustrating though, as Sea of Fortune has been retired. He shows plenty at home but just doesn’t want it on the track. He’ll now find a new home away from racing. This stunning horse will make somebody a wonderful ROR horse..

The Irish Grand National was a great watch. It was a proper race in good conditions. Soldier In Milan  was only having his 5th race over fences having not run over hurdles.. Now that is different.. The UK Based over the meeting did not fair too well.

Post script of the Irish Grand National was the start.. No false one, just all those horses swinging round and going.. excellent.. If only that could happen on Saturday for our version of.

Ten years ago, John Perriss, David Bass and I were at Birmingham Airport trying to get to Fairyhouse for Emily Gray’s race.. The John & Chich Fowler Memorial European Breeders Fund Mares Chase (Grade 3)

We decided to be clever and ditch Ryanair for Aer Lingus.

Disaster.

Aer Lingus cancelled everything. Ryanair planes were taking off all morning. We sat there getting nowhere, with zero information.

David and I gave up and rerouted to Huntingdon Racecourse, where he won the bumper on Laval Noir

John stuck it out, eventually got a flight, and made it to Fairyhouse Racecourse just in time to see Emily Gray win, ridden by Johnny Burke.

Collected the trophy, had a drink… then bumped into Michael O'Leary.

Told him the story....

“Serves you right…should’ve flown Ryanair.”

Looking ahead, the weather isn’t helping.

It’s staying dry, and watering at Aintree Racecourse is not ideal for our two lovely youngsters who want soft ground.

Gatineau Park who last won at Ayr in impressive style on heavy ground would be run off his feet around there unless it was soft, while Hidden Mountain, who was equally impressive at Huntingdon when winning his bumper, needs similar ground..

Two really promising horses who have very bright futures .. so.. Frustrating..  It is a dangerous time of year.. so 'When in doubt....?'

Tuesday morning brings in our usual vet visit and this weeks movers and shakers in the BHA handicap charts were..Campaign Trail up 1 to 111, Destroytheevidence down 4 to 130, So You Know down 1 to 114 and Sogna In Grande enters at 128

I read this and thought it was amusing...

I was the getaway driver for a robbery at a paper factory in Bristol last night. We took the A4

A policeman stopped me last night. He said 'Get out of your car and walk towards me'. I did that.

He said 'You're staggering'.

I said 'You're not too bad yourself!'

Minus 1 and dry when driving in.

It blew hard here on Saturday night, thankfully we missed the real blow that hit the North.

Durham's Game againt Kent was blown away..

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve checked my five weather apps hoping one might tell me what I want to see.

Saturday morning, Mat and I were delighted to see rain heading towards Aintree Racecourse… 24 hours later, it’s disappeared. Now we’re getting a heatwave. You couldn’t make it up.

On a brighter note, Newton Abbot Racecourse had over 8,000 through the gates on Saturday..best in 25 years. Fair play to them.

Did you know that the The Boat Race was on Saturday?.. I’d completely forgotten it even existed. If Peter Kerr hadn’t mentioned it that morning, I’d have had no idea.

Once upon a time the BBC made it an occasion, but now, like so many sports that have drifted away, it’s easy to miss. Credit to Channel 4 for keeping it on terrestrial TV, even if I was watching the racing instead.

Racing is lucky ITV have picked our sport up..when these big sports leave the BBC and hide behind a SKY pay wall, they do have a habit of quietly disappearing.

Sport and BBC used to be special, but now sport and the BBC dont lie in the same bed!

Really? An Easter message..

We have one runner today at Hereford. Sea Of Fortune heards there and for our thoughts please click here.

An Irish man was given the job of painting the white lines down the middle of a road.

On his first day, he painted eight miles; the next day three miles; on the third day he painted just one mile.

When the Boss asked the man why he kept painting less each day, he replied: “I just can’t do any better because each day I keep getting farther away from the paint can.”

Plus 7 and dry when driving in.

Tom Bellamy and Ciaran Gethings in to ride out.

We jumped a few...The Kemble Brewery, I Can See For Miles, Court In A Storm, Moon Rocket, Draco Malfoy, Gatineau Park, Sea Of Fortune and White Noise.

John Buckner, Pauline Loader, Candida Molyneux, Maureen Blake, Sarah Goodwill and Jackie James and here for a morning on the gallops and breakfast as booked through our web site and a charity morning through The Nelson Trust that was donated to a do at Berkeley Castle

Kevin Clancy called in to see his two horses Manna Lisa and Five Aces.

We have no runners over the weekend

Ian Reid sent this one over..

Man walks into a restaurant following by a fully grown ostrich....the waitress asks for his order and he says hamburger, fries, Diet Coke....then he asks the ostrich what are you having ?...the ostrich says the same...the waitress brings the food and says that will be £15.36....he reaches into his pocket and pulls out the exact change.

Next day he comes in again followed by the ostrich..the waitress asks for his order and he says hamburger, fries, Diet Coke....then he asks the ostrich what are you having ?...the ostrich says the same...the waitress brings the food and says that will be £15.35....he reaches into his pocket and pulls out the exact change.

And again and again the next day...

On Saturday they turn up....and the waitress says, your usual?....no, says the man on Saturday I always have steak with beans and mushroom sauce....what about you, he asks the ostrich...I will have the same...the bill arrives, £31.68...he reaches into his pocket and pulls out the exact change.

By now the waitress is overcome with curiosity...if you don’t mind me saying, how comes you always have the exact change in your pocket?

He tells her the story of when he cleaned out his shed and found a magic lamp and the Genie gave him two wishes...so he asked to always have the exact money he needs in his pocket....that’s clever says the waitress, most people would have asked for a million pounds but this way you are rich forever...yes, he replied...doesn’t matter if I buy a sandwich or a yacht..I always have the money in my pocket.

But what about the ostrich ? She asked...

For my second wish I asked for a long legged chick who always agrees with me....

Have a great Easter weekend and see you on Monday..