Baileys Blog Search

Plus 6 foggy and damp when driving in. Shhh there is rain about!!

Great racing over the weekend at Cheltenham and elsewhere.

Both our runners at Uttoxeter ran well without winning..

Land Afar who should have been running in the ownership of ‘This Horse Is For Sale Partnership’ rather than my name, ran a blinder to finish second to what could one of the best novice hurdlers in the country in Kingston Pride..

Draco Malfoy was 4th in the bumper. The race was not run at a fast enough pace and although no excuse it showed that he is a staying hurdler in the making, not a speed horse. Plenty of positives from both horses.

There was no outside racing shown on the TV in the owners and trainers at Uttoxeter, so Mat had to watch Cheltenham from the Tote bookies area..

Richard Pilkington who parts own Drace Malfoy had to stand in the Tote Bookies to WhatsApp Draco’s race to his fellow owner Francis Brooke who was in Hong Kong.

Mat left the racecourse to the sights and sounds of the OK Corral.

Saturday night was spent celebrating the 'Ballantynes birthdays' at the packed Kemble Brewery in Cheltenham where I bought Mrs B’s Christmas present.. Two tickets to Cold Play!

The auction was all a way of raising fund for the Injured Jockeys fund who have been so brilliant with help for Lauren Hawkins and her family..Over £4500.00 so far...

John Benson who was racing at Cheltenham, after visiting his KBRS horses here in the morning, sent this text on Saturday night..

‘Good evening, Kim..

Just thought I would let you know that we had a fantastic day at Cheltenham, the hospitality in the horseshoe restaurant was fantastic and great value for the money.. they removed the centenary restaurant from last year and pushed the horseshoe restaurant up to the horse walk which made way for a new tented public area in the village which was amazing.. no muddy car parks.

PS..

I had 5 out of 7 winners which made the day very special many thanks John'

John .. This really was a good email to receive, especially after all the flack that Cheltenham received post Festival...I forwarded to the Chairman..

Yesterday morning Robert Bellamy (father of Tom) brought round Paul and Ali Edwards for a visit and tour of Thorndale before they headed to Cheltenham..…

What a lovely day and there was a good crowd at the races...

Does He Know ran his customary blinder.. he was 4th under a huge weight.. He really has been, and still is a huge star for those invloved in his KBRS . His racerecord is awesome.. 1/22/111O85/11210/F13/P451P-44.

Cheltenham looked after the team well and all went home happy after another day in that hallowed winners enclosure.

Good to see Martyn and Sandra Steer-Fowler racing yesterday and they left the racecourse and walked back into Cheltenham 'singing in the rain'.. Their horse Trelawne is desperate for rain at Haydock on Saturday!

I also met up with Ellie Peel and Jack Fisher who were meant to be here for 'a morning on the gallops and breakfast' this morning but I had to cancel them..I just hope my drink will encourage them to book again.

Anyway..I am away today..

Mark Hudson called in mid morning to see his horse Wild Goose

Annoyingly Nathan Andrews, my conditional jockey, has gone to Newmarket Racing School to attend a 2-week jockeys course , although he has a Irish license..

Nathan must resit this course to qualify for an English equivalent..Slightly boring to lose your conditional jockey for 2 weeks mid-season when there is plenty for him to do here ..

Far better than listening to Donald Trump..