It’s the beginning of another week in lockdown and there have been some recent advantages to us in terms of time available for odd jobs and also some fabulous sunny weather. We have accomplished lots over the last week – stable painting is complete, Anthea Morshead’s mare Premier Blanc aka Rosie had her foal and the holidayers have done lots of of eating and sunbathing.
We’ve had plenty of fun and rewards from our two other new babies, both 2 year olds sent from Richard Bandey for owners Jane and Neil Maltby and Dennis Barry and they are going nicely in their learning. Claude is by Clovis du Berlais and Baz is by Kayf Tara. As of this morning Viks has backed both in the barn and they are happy and calm. Baz is a couple of steps ahead of his friend purely because he has an incredible ability to learn and we can’t believe how he has progressed so quickly. It’s always interesting to see them all going at their own pace.
Our pre-trainers Black Sams Silver and Leith Hill Lad are going really well. Leith Hill Lad has been making some nice improvements in the school. I’ve been taking him back to some basics doing grid work, getting him in a rhythm to meet the fences correctly and managing to work it out for himself. My thinking is if he can master these details at a slower pace he can hopefully put it all together when he goes back racing. The Toronado 2 year old who was cut three weeks ago last week will also be starting back in work.
Our resident superstar Loose Chips is thoroughly enjoying his retirement and being lead hack for Mum, he’s also proving to be a wonderful lead-horse and general all round comedian. Pictured above is Baby Peter who arrived early on Saturday morning and him and mum Rosie are doing very well. It was his first day out in the sunshine on Sunday and he’s getting the hang of things nicely. Kazuri Kate who is due to foal at the end of May is looking fantastic and now her pal has had her baby we can’t wait to welcome ‘baby Kate’.
The holidayers are all happy and looking well, it’s fascinating to see how quickly some let down and how a few are still looking racy and light. Some are having some extra TLC and in paddocks with less friends and more food. Sometimes I feel like a maid in a boutique hotel!..whatever they need they get, but I love to see them getting fuel in the tank and relaxing into their holiday. Here’s hoping all our pampering plays a small part in the future for them.
Plenty more jobs on the list for this week, lots of strimming and creosoting to get started with and hopefully we can crack on before the rain comes. We have been so spoilt with the amazing early summer but reality will resume this week when the waterproofs and turnout rugs are back on.