13 July 2023
We are now in July and that means the Summer holidays for the horses is almost over. Only a handful have returned so far, but they are slowly coming back into work and by the end of the month all the horses that have summered here will be back being ridden... The long road to fitness again has begun!
We have been trying to find a few new youngsters. So, Sophie and I spent two great fun days in Deauville at the Arquana Summer sale, however we failed to find any horses in our price range and came home empty handed. Deauville is the most beautiful town on the north coast of France and it is only a three hour drive from Calais. Whether you are buying horses or not, it is a town I seriously recommend to visit. This week, however, I have been in Newmarket (not quite as beautiful) at their July Sales. Again prices have been 'sky high', but I was successful and I have bought a lovely 3yo by Ribchester called Book of Tales who has won two of his last three races on the flat. He has only been here 24 hours, but, as you can see, he is already jumping over barrels and will be ready to run in a Juvenile hurdle by the beginning of September. He is For Sale, so please do not heitate to get in touch.
Race results over the past week or so have not been quite so successful and we have failed to find a winner. However, I have to honourably mention Soldat Forte who ran another fine race to be second beaten a length in a strong Novice hurdle at Worcester. It is tough for him trying to give away a penalty and I might consider running him in a handicap next time he runs.
