Just a quick report this week as with all this cold weather things have only been ticking over at the stable. Darsi had her last bit of fast work on Tuesday and since then, although out each day around the estate, has only managed a couple of good canters up the gallops. The temperature last week got down to -10, and even the all weather gallops get frozen up at this level.

I would mention that a few horses in the stable have got the sniffles and have been coughing. Nothing serious, but often it spreads throughout and the only remedy is a course of antibiotics.  Hopefully our girl will miss it, as it takes about ten days to get it out of their system and means they cannot run during this period.

Notwithstanding the above, we are still on track to run during the weekend commencing 24th Feb.

It was touch and go whether the horses went to Larkhill for a racecourse gallop on Friday, right up to the last moment! Firstly we were waiting for the rain, which thankfully did come, and then we had the first hard frost of the winter on the Friday morning! Fortunately, as it was the first, it only touched the surface and underneath was still soft!

Darsi went with five other horses, two of which were already experienced over hurdles and were coming back from a rest. One of them was Top Smart, rated 113 over hurdles and was being used as the yard stick.  

Spoke to Seamus this morning. Darsi was schooled over hurdles this week and continues to please him. Her work is being increased gradually and she is now ready to have her first racecourse gallop. If all goes to plan, it could be this coming Friday at Larkhill. This is dependant on a bit of rain materialising mid week. The forecast looks promising, but we will not know for definite until Thursday. Unfortunately, I cannot be more definite until then. It will be an early start; leaving the stables at 7.30am. If any member is interested in watching, please let me know if you are coming either to the stables first or straight to Larkhill. It would be great to see you.

Things are starting to get pretty exciting and providing she does well, we can then plan her first race for her. I will get back to you later on Friday with my report.

It was pretty chilly up on the gallops early this morning, with the first real frost of the winter. The views from the top of the gallops were fantastic, with the early morning sun rising through the mist which made up for the very early start!

Darcy (stable name of Chambray Dancer) went out on the second lot and did two good pieces of work. Ridden by Laura she came up the gallop with a horse either side of her without any problems. She is learning every day and is far more relaxed and is starting to take everything in her stride.Her racecourse gallop at Larkhill has been delayed, because of the dry weather. Larkhill drains very well and is notorious for drying out quickly. The boss will wait for a bit of rain before the next batch of young horse go there. I will keep you posted.

The plan is to start looking for a race for her at the latter end of February. Seamus and I will look through the racing calendar and come up with a couple of dates for your diary.

Ten of us braved the damp and cold last Friday to watch Darcy (Chambray Dancer) and Benny, do two pieces of fast work up the Wilsford gallops.  When you consider Darcy is more than a month off a run and Benny is race fit, the filly did extremely well to stay level with the lad at full pace. I couldn’t say whether she could have passed Benny (although the rider did feel she could have done so), but she did at least look on par, which alone is very promising!   

In the next couple of weeks, Darcy will be having a spin round Larkhill racecourse. The distance is approx 1 mile 6 furlong and will give her the experience, of not only running on grass, but also travelling to and from the races. It will also give the rider and trainer a lot more information about her, i.e. temperament, going preference, fitness etc. Seamus will let me know when this will take place and I will pass on the details to you should any member like to go and watch. It will probably be on a Wednesday or Thursday, at very short notice and an early start; approx 7.30am.

I nipped up to the stables yesterday on my way to a meeting and watched the Darsi filly have her first school over hurdles. This was the first time she had seen a hurdle. Other than being initially a little apprehensive, she jumped 12 sets of hurdles pretty well at a steady pace.  Charlie could not have been more pleased. 

The general report from the stable about her couldn't be more upbeat and the vibes are suggesting  this girl could be pretty useful. I can of course, only relay the comments from the stable, but those coming up to the stable on the 30th can listen first hand to Seamus and Charlie on her progress. At this moment in time, until she meets the racecourse, in my mind she is a world beater......I know you've heard this all before!

Over the last few weeks we have been voting on the name for the Darsi filly. The votes couldn't have been any closer and are as follows:

Chambray Dancer 12 points, Calico Breeze 9 points, Tempest Bay 11 points, Feather Lady 9 points and Darspin 9 points. The Darsi Filly's new name is therefore, Chambray Dancer. The voting papers are available for inspection if required.

I have just had a chat with Seamus. Benny is very well and ready to run.  Since the middle of the week he has been wearing a tongue tie during his work, normally a pair of old tights...thanks Charlie for the loan! He has accepted them well and hopefully these will work the oracle by allowing him to breath normally when under pressure. If they do I'm hoping for an even better run next time.

As you are aware he has been entered at Folkestone on Tueday. His participation is only 50/50 at the moment. Plenty of rain and wind has been predicted, especially for Tuesday, so it all looks a bit doubtful. However, in case he does run, please let me know who would like badges.

There is also a race for him at Plumpton on Monday 19th Dec. Seamus thinks this race will definitely suit our boy, so please put this in your diary as a strong possibility.

All the names for the new Darsi filly have now been received and will be distributed for voting purposes to the appropriate members. Some great names have been received so it will be interesting to see who wins! The filly is working very well and has been adopted by the assistant trainer Charlie, who rides her out most days...girl power. She loves her! And I actually got the word "exciting" from the boss, so lets hope she continues to progress in this vein once her work is increased, but so far so good!

It was pretty cold up at the stables this morning, but there's nothing better to warm the cockles of your heart (and other places) to see your horses speed pass you up the gallops!

It was great to see Benny and Darsi do a nice piece of work together, with Veronica and Jimmy on board respectively. It was the usual format with a good canter on the first run and then a faster piece of work on the second. Both worked well, with their respective riders giving the thumbs up.

Benny has come out of his last race well and his work will now be stepped up to get him ready for his next run. I have had a look at the race calender and unfortunately, there isn't much available before Christmas, other than  possible races at Folkestone 13/12 and Hereford 22/12.  The race at Folkestone may come too early, but I will leave it up to the boss to find us something, if possible! We may have to wait to after Christmas.

This was the first time Jimmy had ridden the Darsi filly since she was broken in, so it was good to get some feedback from him. I think he was pretty impressed especially the way she has developed. He said that she is still a big baby learning her trade and needs a bit more time, but definitely feels she has got an engine. One definite conclusion, which concurs with other reports,  her action indicates she will need good ground. 

Benny finished 5th today at Folkestone after having a live chance with two hurdles to go. To be honest at this stage of the race he was in third place and going better than the front two. Unfortunately when the pressure was turned on, he emptied and veered out to the left giving away ground and eventually fading into 5th place. Although the finishing position was a little disappointing on the day, it was a marked improvement on his last run.

The first thing the jockey said on his return, that he needs a "tongue tie". He said, he definitely has an engine, travelled well throughout the race and jumped great. The ground was fine and the distance about right, although 2m 4f would probably be better on softer ground. He said he is as genuine as they come and he gave his all today. The jockey then went on to say that two out, he was confident of finishing in the first three today and can only put the fading down to a problem with his breathing.  If you get a chance to watch the race see how he looks crossing the line...you might agree!

On his returned to the paddock, Benny did have to clear his throat a couple of times which indicated that a tongue tie might help in the future. Seamus will now school him with this on, so he can get use to it. This may make the making of him!

I nipped to the stables yesterday on the way to a meeting in Somerset to watch Benny and the Darsi filly work up the gallops.

Benny had his first bit of fast work since his last run. Lucy his rider reported that he felt back to normal with his usual sparkle. For the last week Ali has been giving him TLC and working on his muscles to ensure any stiffness is alleviated. Just goes to show how much the last race took out of him! Tomorrow the vet will do a few test, including  a scope to ensure he is now 100%  ready for his next run. Providing we get the all clear, we will start looking for some races for him.

The Darsi filly who is not so forward was given one gentle canter and then a faster one up the gallops. Laura her rider reported that she has a wonderful action and floats across the ground. I'm not sure whether that means she will need good ground, but nevertheless, she seemed very impressed! The filly is only a 3yo and learning all the time, but she looks very big and strong and has a lot of scope for development; exciting times.

Veronica rode Benny on Saturday and reports that our lad is in sparkling form. He did a good piece of work with Catch the Rascal and is ready for his first race of the season. No decision has been made on which race he will be in on Wednesday but we are leaning towards the digit.com handicap hurdle at 4.30pm as it looks the easier of the two and could cut up more. Chepstow should suit our lad as it is a nice galloping course, so fingers crossed for a good run. In both races he is carrying top weight.

We haven’t decided on a jockey as yet, which is all dependent where they are riding. In order of preference is Andrew Thornton, Daryl Jacobs and Noel Fielly, but whatever happens we will be using an experience jockey.  Let me know if you are OK with the selections.

Where is this ruddy rain? Benny continues to do well and was yet again schooled over hurdles this week. The benefit of waiting for the weather to change means he has had extensive schooling and according to his riders and the boss he's now pretty slick over the hurdles. He jumps low and fast.

Veronica rode him again on Friday and reports our boy is in good form and feels great. Lets hope the rain comes next week and we see him entered soon. I can't wait. I know the boss is eager to get him on a racecourse but won't be rushed until the conditions are right.

Don't forget Seamus's Open day next weekend. I will be commentating on three horses I'm trying to get people interested in, Benny and two unraced fillies out of Darsi and Alderbrook. See the website for further information. Hopefully I will see some of you there.

Veronica rode Benny up the gallops. She was up side a very good work horse and the other rider couldn't believe how well he went. Since his summer break he has also been schooled regularly over hurdles and according to the boss he is now very slick over them.  He is very, very well, so roll on the rain! 

Just a reminder of Seamus's open day on Sunday 30th October. The invitation is attached. FIRG will have a stall and the horses shown on our website will be paraded. Yours truly will be doing a commentary on them so come and see me mess things up!

Both veronica and I have just arrived back from the States. A great holiday, but tired and jet lagged! 

I have spoken to Seamus. All is well with our lad. Benny was schooled yesterday by Dennis Mullins who is a conditional jockey currently with Alan King and is covering for Jimmy Derham who is out until Christmas. He will ride out for Seamus once a week and ride some of his horses. He has plenty of experience and riding winners on the flat in Ireland.

Jimmy had a fall a couple of weeks ago and has fractured his skull. He has had an operation (plate inserted) and everything went according to plan. He will hopefully make a speedy recovery, and be back riding for us before we know it!

Our Boy is working well, looks sharp and ready to run. Unfortunately this good weather is keeping the ground rather firm and until we have some substantial rain he will not be visiting the race track.

I saw Benny this morning and he continues to progress well. Seamus is mindful that our boy needs softish ground and he is waiting for some consistency in the weather before he ups his work ready for his racecourse appearance.

Seamus believes his current batch of horses are the best he has ever had and feels that he has a few Saturday horses amongst them. He was pretty excited when talking to me and thinks Benny may be one of them. Fingers crossed that he's right!