Richard's Blog

30th December, 2010

The horses are cantering again this morning thankfully now the thaw is here. We had visitors this morning including Jeff McCarthy and family who commented how much snow we had here at Adlestrop. I don't think people realise how much we have had compared to surrounding areas, but at last we are now seeing some green grass on the hills.

The Hepworths also popped in as the weather had relented and it was good to get some fresh air after Christmas.

Also good to catch up with Balthazar Fabricious at lunchtime. Balthazar is son of Rod Fabricious, now retired doyen of Goodwood. Balth is a top man and helped set up the bookmakers Fitzdares. He has recently married a local girl and it's good to have him in the area during the festive period.

Eastwell Smiles is declared for Warwick tomorrow which will hopefully be a better outcome than Uttoxeter. Ridden by Richard Johnson, he has been held up by the weather like the rest of the string, however he is the type to appreciate the break more than others and let's hope he can put his best foot forward tomorrow.

Last night I was kindly invited by Martin and Sue Harvey to their local for a pub quiz. Although it ended up being the world's longest pub quiz, which may well be a question in the future, I am pleased to report we got nine out of ten on the pop round. Whilst Martin Harvey's knowledge of Europe was extraordinary for a man that runs a global company. I am sure we would all be pleased if Dubai was a member of the European Union.

29th December, 2010

Thankfully we are now cantering on the gallop and getting horses back on the move. We are making a few entries as well and let's hope the frosts don't come back. It is always interesting to see how horses run after a break thanks to bad weather and let's hope we can get some winners on the board for the New Year.

Visitors to Adlestrop have been in short supply because of the weather however it was good to see Laurence Robertson MP and his partner Annie on Monday for lunch. Owner Gerard Fahy brought along his friend Matt with him yesterday. Matt's two children Jimmy and George are six and seven respectively and I am pleased to say are complete anoraks about horseracing and are obsessed. It is nice to see that in young people.

Last night I was kindly invited by Andrew and Jane Nicholls to celebrate Andrew's birthday. Andrew took a group of us to The Old Butchers in Stow on the Wold, a favourite restaurant for many in the Cotswolds.

Today I am off to Newbury races. I have kindly been invited by Grace Muir of Heros, the thoroughbred rehabilitation centre based near Lambourn. I am a trustee of the organisation along with Jeremy Kyle. It is very sad that Jeremy has only just met Grace as he could have saved her a lot of hassle in her private life over the last twenty years. Although knowing Grace's love of animals rather than people, a DNA test would never be necessary.

I hope you all had a great Christmas. Following exercising the horses on Christmas morning, I shot off to see my mum and family at ‘Bedlam' House in Surrey where my brother lives with his ten children. I always feel sorry for anyone in a house with so many Phillips, however if you ever met the Daukes family who are responsible for the rest of the children, you wouldn't feel so bad.

My mother is 89 but can still whizz along a church aisle very quickly and following mass it was the usual chaos. Instead of buying presents for the ten sprogs, I always do a competition involving some sort of written verse.

This year it was a ode to describe a Phillips wedding as a niece and nephew got married this year. As many of them didn't know what an ode was, there was not a huge entry this year however I am pleased to say Kate Phillips the third youngest, won with an excellent effort.

Yesterday it was the turn of the Discovery to break down which had something to do with water getting in the diesel tank. However thanks to our local Landrover expert Adrian Wynne, the girl is now up and running today.

Last night I was kindly invited for supper in the Horse and Groom by landlord and landlady Simon and Sally Jackson. It was a bit of a ‘lock in' and their night off having had a busy Christmas day with over seventy lunches to prepare.

Although it is milder today, the gallop is still pretty icy and therefore we have only been on trotting exercise. However it looks as though with luck, we could be cantering for the rest of the week. We are therefore making a few tentative entries for the weekend and praying for a thaw.

Driving back on Christmas day, I listened to the Radio Two pop quiz hosted by Chris Evans. One of the team captains was Tony Blackburn and it just occurred to me that he sounds exactly like Matt Chapman from At The Races. No wonder I find them both so annoying.

Thankfully Christmas Eve at Adlestrop is better than yesterday. The water is back on, as is the electricity. We are in possession of some oil and most importantly the horses are able to steady canter up the gallop.

Hopefully we do not get any more snow and less frost than forecast, in which case we will be able to keep the horses going in these tricky times. Luckily the birds are in good form as well and are going through the fat balls at a great rate.

There will not be much racing over the next week or so by the look of it but the horses still have to be exercised and Christmas Day will be a pretty normal one for the staff.

If Kempton is on, AP and Kauto will be an interesting combination. I am sure Ruby will give him a lot of advice and will also have a chat with AP.

Merry Christmas

If it doesn't rain in snows. Thanks to burst pipes running into electric sockets and the oil delivery man unable to get to us, Adlestrop Stables was without water, electricity and heating this morning. However where there is a will there is a way and thanks to John the plumber and a war effort, things are nearly back to normal.

There seems to be a slight thaw on so we are making a huge effort to get the gallop in use. Thanks to Nepal and his love of machinery, the tractor was mended half way up the gallop after seizing up during the effort.

With a bit of luck we will get the horses cantering again in the next few days and let's hope there is no snow on the way and the frosts are not as severe as forecasts. None of us are dreaming like Bing Crosby.

Thankfully we can still exercise the horses thanks to the outdoor school but like a lot of other trainers, we are finding it very difficult to keep horses cantering. Historically horses appear to seem to like a break for snow. However it would be great to get back to cantering after Christmas and hopefully the weather forecast is wrong.

It is that time of year when there are various festive lunches and dinners and today we had our annual Vestey lunch at The Kingham Plough. Organised by Ed Sackville, son of Lord De La Warr, a scoundrel who I have known for some time, a group of us turned up for our annual Christmas lunch.

Among the characters to appear are the male Vestey family, Sam, William and Arthur, Charles Egerton and Brookes and this year we were partly privileged to be joined for the first time by a Hannon in Richard Junior. Rhydian Morgan-Jones, known to us as Lord Woolly, instigated the lunch some years ago and thankfully there is much humour and alcohol. However it is an occasion when you believe that had you had a child, you would be blessed to think that it did not go to Eton.

We managed to get all the horses out but trotting is all we can manage in these extreme conditions. With more snow forecast, it looks as though it will be a few days before we can canter them in Adlestrop.

Another funeral today, this time George Dunwoody. George was Richard's father and a very good man indeed. Richard got much of his incredible horsemanship and determination from his father. A shy man, he had one of life's great smiles and was an excellent trainer and jockey. I have known George for many years from when I first knew Richard and we all go back a fair way now.

Richard had flown in from Berlin where he is spending a lot of time these days learning German. Possibly a country that would suit him for obvious reasons. Also in attendance were ‘old muckers' Martin and Sarah Bosley and Hywel Davies.

Martin's mother was also there. Sylvia Bosley is one of life's stars and looked after me like a son when I was at Witney college nearly thirty years ago now. Other surrogate sons who lived in the Bosley household are Richard Dunwoody and Michael Caulfield and we have fond memories of the Dunwoody and Bosley parents looking after us and entertaining us over the years.

George was a fine man and thanks to his son, has certainly left his mark on the racing world.

The snow is thick on the ground at Adlestrop and we only managed to trot the horses this morning. With more bad weather on the way, things do not look good for racing for the next few weeks but we will all do our best as ever.

All parties, carol services etc have been cancelled and it is baton down the hatches time. However there was nothing keeping me away from Ted Patterson's funeral today at Kingston Lisle near Wantage. The roads were pretty awful but I managed to get there in time to give an address and some memories of my old friend from the days at Candy's and Kingstone Warren.

Despite the weather there was a good turn out to show respects to a much loved man. Among those in attendance were the old head lads, John Smith and Jimmy Green, my fellow assistant Richard Westrop, now a stipendiary steward and Carol Nash, previously Dunwoody, who all spent a lot of time in the presence of our great friend Ted.

Driving all the way from Newmarket was Billy Newnes. Billy was champion apprentice and rode Time Charter to win the Oaks for H Candy in the eighties. Like Ted, Billy has a sharp wit and after the funeral we spent some time reminiscing about the good old days.

I lost my bet on AP McCoy last night but was delighted to do so. I text him that he had cost me money and he returned the text at 2am this morning, no doubt still on a high. I think we all know that he is probably the greatest sportsman of our time to achieve what he has and beats Mohammad Ali on the fact that he has to starve himself as well. What is also annoying is that he is a bloody good bloke with it, with a damn good sense of humour. The only down side being that now everyone knows he looks like Rob Brydon.

With Uttoxeter being off we just have Penshurst Lad running today at Wolverhampton at 4.50pm. Despite the weather, the gallops were still in use this morning.

I was joined by Eustace Theodore this morning who has come over from the USA to see his string. Unfortunately due to the freeze up Good For Blue was not ready to run at Uttoxeter whilst Crackerjac Boy has also been put back a couple of weeks and therefore both will be out after Christmas.

This time of year is always frantic and is made even harder by the weather. It also isn't helped by the fact that thanks to the BHA, the programme book is still not out for January. It is so difficult to plan without knowing what races are going to be programmed.

I have kindly been invited to the Harvey 's tomorrow night for a Christmas get together which will hopefully conclude with their local pub getting a new horse. Watch this space.

If Uttoxeter is on tomorrow we have three runners, Eastwell Smiles, Phardessa and Just Benny. Eastwell Smiles returns at the course where he last ended up in a ditch but hopefully this time, it will go according to plan and he will run like he did previously at Bangor . Phardessa returns after a season off with a leg injury. She runs over hurdles in order to blow away the cobwebs and will undoubtedly come on for her first run back for a while. Just Benny showed promise when finishing fourth in a bumper on the same course last month and appears to have come on for that effort.

Penshurst Lad is also running tomorrow at Wolverhampton . This time he wears blinkers and is in the ‘last chance saloon.'

Amore Mio and Drussell ran at Exeter this afternoon. Amore Mio certainly needs further but there are very few other opportunities for him so hopefully this run will have kept his fitness levels up. Drussell has won on better ground and these days probably needs two and half miles to be at his best and I am sure he will be competitive once the handicapper has readjusted him to a more realistic mark.

Yesterday we had our annual Christmas party at Sharron Murgatroyd's in Newmarket . It is nearly twenty years since Sharron was sadly confined to a wheelchair. However everyone looks forward to her annual Christmas lunch. In attendance yesterday were amongst others, John Francome, Jim McGrath, Steve Smith Eccles, Neil Doughty, Vince Smith, Gee Bradburne and Michael Caulfield. As ever it was enormous fun and as Francome points out, it should be filmed really. On arrival I was greeted to Francome dressed as Father Christmas with a cardboard cut out of Sharron's hero, AP McCoy stood next to him. Thankfully Francome is a great one for bringing a smile to people's faces and always keeps us much amused.

Today I was unable to go to Exeter as I attended the funeral of a great friend in Trevor Dadswell. Trevor was father to Jon Dadswell, a previous owner and a big supporter of the yard and the family were very much part of my upbringing. The only benefit of a funeral is it gives opportunity to reminisce about the good old days, of which thankfully there were many.

We have declared Amore Mio and Drussell at Exeter tomorrow and they are both owned by Walid and Paula Marzouk. Amore Mio probably needs further but with the weather as it is we are keen to get another run into him, whilst Drussell would probably appreciate better ground and is still high enough in the handicap. Tom Siddall rides Amore Mio and won on him when he was trained by Emma Lavelle, whilst Mattie Batchelor takes the mount on Drussell.

I had a busy day in the office yesterday but managed to pop out at lunchtime to do my Christmas shopping, which never takes long. Basically the Godchildren get a present and of course there must be something pink for my secretary. I hope she likes aftershave.

This morning during first lot I was accompanied by bloodstock agent Geoffrey Howson and local racing anorak Matthew Holdsworth. I have known Geoffrey for years and he is a highly respected man in the bloodstock industry, whilst Matthew is looking to make his name in the same industry in the future. It is always nice to try and help young people get on, as I was in the same position many years ago now. Second lot we were joined by owner Tot Calver a great friend of Geoffrey's. Tot is a great supporter of the yard and is responsible for the flowers and smelly candles in the office which keep the trainer in such good form.

I was delighted to meet Chris Cook son of former foreign secretary Robin, at the Horserace Writers Awards last week. Chris was nominated in the final four for the Journalist of the Year Award. I met him many years ago with his father in Edinburgh . I recounted to Chris my first conversation with Robin who was a great supporter of racing and damn good fun with it. I said to Robin, “I must be the only racehorse trainer in the country who used to be a young socialist.” To which Robin replied in his sharp Edinburgh burr, “Even I was a young socialist.”

We have two runners tomorrow at Bangor with Pezula and Lucky Sunny declared. Lucky Sunny's race is very competitive but all novice hurdles will be after the freeze up. However he ran well at Uttoxeter and however he gets on, he will have a handicap mark after this race. Tom Siddall rides as Sean Quinlan is suspended.

Pezula runs in the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle. She ultimately needs further than this, however following a summers break it will get her back in the spring. Peter Carberry rides. He is brother of Paul and Nina and has been riding out for us a bit.

Bobby Donald ran a cracking race at Plumpton yesterday jumping brilliantly apart from the third last. He loves it out in front and hopefully we will find a similar race for him early in the New Year. Stop The Show ran very creditably considering the trip and the course and this should set him up for a happy New Year.

Thanks to the kind heart of Warren Marston, The Snatcher and Warren went to help Wayne Hutchinson's mount at the start of his handicap hurdle. Doing Wayne a good turn unfortunately meant that The Snatcher missed the break and therefore was never really going. However we look forward to the handicapper reassessing him and trying him over two and a half miles.

Tiger Line has come into season which explains her too bad to be true run.

We managed to school a few of the horses this morning now we have had a bit of a thaw and as long as the ground does not get too frosty, we should have plenty of runners towards the end of the week.

We have four runners at Plumpton today. Tiger Line has an each way chance in the three mile handicap hurdle whilst The Snatcher runs for the first time in a handicap and we will see if the assessment of him is correct.

Bobby Donald and Stop The Show both run in the two and a half mile chase. Following his run at Lingfield Bobby will be ridden more prominently today which we think is what he prefers, whilst Stop The Show is having his first race since his hobday and should come on for the run. With so little racing recently, we have to run when we can. Prospects for the week are dependent on the weather and let's hope the forecasters are wrong and we can get some racing.

Saturday night I was kindly invited by Jane and Andrew Nicholls for supper. They own Darby's Turn with us and live near Banbury. A very entertaining evening was had by all. It was down to yours truly to be quiz master again thanks to a WH Smith Around Britain quiz. I had to let Andrew win as he paid the bill. Caroline and Gerald Bailey were both present who also train for the Nicholls'. Gerald is always chirpy and good company, however his wife pointed out the only way to keep him quiet is to have a quiz and answers were not on the tip of his tongue.

We were able to school some horses yesterday morning thanks to Warren Marston and conditional jockey Peter Carberry.

Last night I was kindly invited to John Francome's surprise birthday party which I think he knew all about. Lots of old friends were present as well as some young ones. Delighted to report Michael Caulfield has got engaged and not only that, he has got engaged to a woman. Alison is lovely and I wish her all the luck in the world, she will need it.

The champion jockey was present and I pointed out to him that I had had a bet that he would not be Sports Personality Of The Year. He thinks my money is safe but I am not so sure as last year's winner only had 140,000 votes. However I hope I am wrong as he would be a deserved winner and it would give him something interesting to talk about for once.

Luke Harvey was also there with his girlfriend Emily Jones. They can't have a light in their bedroom as by accident it looks as though he was wearing Emily's blouse, but then again you never know with him.

My X Factor information was wrong. Although I did point out in my blog a long time ago that Matt would probably win. This year's choice of winners song is poor and I think Simon Cowell needs a break. I hope he rings me.

 


10th December, 2010

It is not the best timing for the tractor to break down and a water pipe to burst but that is the practical side of training racehorses. Thanks to dedicated mechanics and plumbers, things have been quickly fixed and the show goes on.

Mr Tingle was declared for Huntingdon on Sunday but he did not get a run so we have no runners this weekend. Hopefully the thaw will continue and the forecast will be incorrect. The string look in good form and we are all dying to run them. Let's hope some opportunities arise.

Thanks to a heavy cold, I am not going to Cheltenham today and this has also stopped me from visiting my mum who is 89 today. Anyone who has met her knows that she is quite a character and luckily her grandchildren are having a party for her this evening. I have will have to deliver my present of a Saw Doctors t shirt on another occasion.

I was sad to hear the news of George Dunwoody's death. Father of Richard and a lovely quiet man and a brilliant horseman with courage of steel as he was still race riding in his fifties.

Had to laugh when chatting with Alan King the other night when he commented that when Fulke Walwyn and Fred Winter trained, they had forty five horses, no Sunday racing and about seven owners. “What a bloody great life they must have had,” said Kingy. I was also amused to see a winning flat jockey yesterday whose surname is Cosham. I was also amused to read this in a magazine recently and hope it doesn't cause offence. ‘In turbulent times, people want to see a place where things still get done and work goes on, and Barbados has that in spades.'

Cheltenham prospects look good for tomorrow and we declared Drussell but unfortunately being too low down in the handicap, he didn't get a run. Amore Mio needs a bit more cut in the ground than he would get at Cheltenham so hopefully he will get a run once the frost has gone.

The let up in the weather doesn't look as though it will last for long but hopefully there could be some action at Huntingdon and Fakenham on Sunday. We are making entries for next week and hope that the forecasts are wrong as we have lots of horses crying out for a run.

Last night I attended the Gentlemens Night out at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham . In the past we have sponsored a table at the event but this year we had a smaller presence. Owners Dave Mason, Brian Duckett, Geoff Lansbury and Jeff McCarthy all attended. Unfortunately Charlie Allan's car blew up and he did not make it.

The event is run by owner Arnie Kaplan and it is always nice to support him in a evening that raises £250,000 for wonderful local charities. This year, bloodstock agent Aiden Murphy had his own table conveniently positioned next to us and his guests included Philip Hobbs, Alan King and Kim Bailey. A thoroughly entertaining evening was had by all thanks to entertainment including comedian Stan Boardman but it was wheelchair bound comedian Tony Gerrard who stole the show. In room full of a thousand men, he was as un politically correct as he could possibly be. His opening line of, “anyone here from Wales ?” Was greeted by one shout from the audience to which Tony followed up with, “just sold my house in North London . I have just bought Wales ,” started a stream of funnies which are not necessarily repeatable but I highly recommend a visit to see him when you can.

Yesterday we took some horses to Kempton to work. Thanks to Barney Clifford the clerk of the course and the rest of the team, many trainers take horses to the course. Yesterday David Pipe and Emma Lavelle were in attendance. Jockeys Quinlan, Siddall, Batchelor and Peter John Carberry rode the horses for us over a mile and a half and all went to plan. Despite the heavy frosts, the gallops are still open here at Adlestrop but it is nice to take them away sometimes.

We have made entries for next week and hope that the ground finally comes right as we have many horses ready to go.

I was given the sad news yesterday that my great friend and mentor and Ted Patterson had died. Ted was travelling head lad to Henry Candy for many years. I can safely say that he was the funniest man I have met and that is saying something. His dead pan delivery made Jack Dee look like Max Miller. Not only was he a great man, with a great humour, he was also a great horseman. He was very much my mentor and I learned more from Ted than anyone else about horses. He would never panic no matter what the situation and he and I broke in many yearlings over the years. Some of my greatest times were spent long reining yearlings with Ted in the paddocks at Kingston Warren. I have many fond memories of him and over the last few years, I would pop in every six months and have a drink with him in the Blowing Stone at Kingston Lisle. His daughter Elizabeth is married to Chris Rutter former jockey and now stipendiary steward. It was Chris who rang with the news yesterday morning.

Of all the funny one liners, my favourite was always the story of Bright Red. A four year old gelding trained at Kingston Warren who had back problems over his career. Mary Bromiley, the world renowned physiotherapist was a regular visitor to him. She had attended a horse on the Monday and the following day, I informed Ted that Mary was returning again at the end of the week. As quick as a flash, Ted replied “Bright Red revisited.” God love him.

A busy weekend feels like a long time ago now. With the weather as it is, its all hands on deck keeping the show on the road. Pleased to say all the hard work seems to be paying off with the gallop thankfully still in operation.

Yesterday I was kindly invited by the Tote to be a guest at the Derby Awards in London . It is always a cracking event and £650 of racings great and good are in attendance. Our friend Peter Thomas was nominated for the Journalist of the Year Award but unfortunately didn't get the crown, but Brough Scott was a deserved winner. Brough has been a good friend over the years and has ridden out at Adlestrop in the past.

National Hunt trainer of the year went to Nigel Twiston Davies. Nigel is a very funny man and luckily guests were treated to his humour which he normally reserves for private gatherings. He left the congregation roaring after informing us that next week he was going on the Jeremy Kyle show and was having the infamous DNA test to prove once and for all that Sam is actually his.

Paul Hanagan was flat jockey of the year and his parents accepted the award on his behalf. His father made an exemplary speech and no wonder Paul is such a nice guy. I note with interest that all champion jump jockeys over the last thirty years have two parents, that are very supportive without spoiling their children. Hanagan obviously has had the same up bringing and I am sure it helps them get to the top of their career. Cameron I am right behind you.

The drinks after the lunch are always amusing and its great to catch up with so many friends including Malcolm Tomlinson. Malcolm is a racecourse commentator based in Beverley and is also an accomplished actor who has appeared in Eastenders and Hollyoaks to name but two. He has also bred the delightful Emma Tomlinson, who thanks to appearances in The Illusionist and Alice In Wonderland looks like heading for stardom. Eleanor visited our yard in Lambourn when she was six and remembers watching The Lion King and eating fruit cake. We look forward to her affording a racehorse one day.

I caught the train home with Robert Bellamy who kindly gave me a lift home from the station. A better ending than Luke Harvey who this morning woke up in Bristol and had to pay £80 for a taxi home. In the past, other post lunch disasters include Alistair Down's eventual awakening in Penzance thanks to another sleepy train trip.

Coincidentally I spent the train journey there with Alistair, who was due to make a presentation to David Ashforth who is retiring from the Racing Post. David is a friend of Adlestrop and has not been too well recently but I was honoured enough to read Alistair's speech on the train which was an endearing tribute to the great Ashforth.

After Alistair's presentation Ashforth took the microphone and explained that racing was full of wonderful people and the odd occasional complete shit. A comment that brought the house down. Happy retirement David.

Still managing to keep the horses on the go despite the weather. Making entries for horses next week as we hear of cancellations of racecourses day after day. The most important thing is we will be ready to go as soon as the weather relents.

Last night I went to the ROA Awards in London . As ever a fun occasion and I had the pleasure of sitting with Jack Berry and Emma Spencer. Jack is a remarkable man and is at present organising the building of an Oaksey House type centre in Malton in Yorkshire . The project is called, ‘the house that Jack built' and knowing Jack's determination it won't be long before it is built.

Emma Spencer presented the evening with Nick Luck. It is always good to catch up with her and her father Jack is a particular favourite of mine. We were discussing her much publicised bet with McCoy that she, as an ex county tennis player was given 20-1 by Tony McCoy that she would beat him in a tennis match. This is despite the fact he has never picked up a racket. AP has no chance of winning that one.

Talking of sporting bets, hope you backed Russia as the World Cup destination. McCoy is a very short price to win Sports Personality Of The Year, I hope he does but I am convinced that racing contestants have no chance in this competition. However Ryan Giggs won with 140,000 votes last year so if people in racing got off their backsides, he would definitely win.

I have been tipped off that Simon Cowell thinks One Direction will win the X Factor and I think they look the best bet at present.

Once again we were working all night on the gallop and we are beating the frost and the snow here in Adlestrop. We were able to work horses this morning thanks to the help of Marston, Quinlan and Siddall. Still entering up for next week and hopefully racing will be on but it looks like we might have to wait until the end of the week by the look of the forecast.

Saw this year's Apprentice on television last night for the first time. If I were Lord Sugar I would give the job to Liz. Don't mind people making mistakes as long as they are attractive.

We will see if England get the world cup vote later this afternoon. Good to see Wills, Cameron and Beckham selling our country well. However, I suspect that Putin has stayed at home because he has paid them enough already.

Great news to see that Choc Thornton will return to the saddle as soon as weather allows. A thoroughly determined human being, I doubt many people will have got back so quickly but I know he thinks Oaksey House in Lambourn has helped him enormously.

Today's horse in focus is our unnamed by Oscar out of Sallie's Girl. Purchased at the Derby Sales last year by Captain Tidds's owner, Colin Pocock, this son of Oscar is a half brother to three decent winners. Out of an Un Desperado mare, he is not dissimilar to the owners' Peachy, who was by the same sire who was also the father of Best Mate. A neat type, he had a bit of character when first broken in hence his nickname ‘Cee Five,' as he broke the head lad's neck last April. However now he has grown up a bit he seems very straight forward and is at present doing plenty of cantering and is developing in strength all the time. He looks the type for hopefully a bumper in the spring and let us hope he holds up the family tradition by being a useful addition to the yard.

There was plenty of hard work during the night to ensure the gallop could be used this morning. With the hard frost it is important to keep the surface moving and hopefully this will prove an advantage when we get back racing next week. We have made plenty of entries and let's hope the weather relents.

Peter and Anne Hepworth joined us for a morning on the gallops today. As ever the Cotswolds looks very picturesque with snow on the ground and despite the cold, the Hepworths are the type of people to appreciate this. Keen members of The Adlestrop Club, they kindly took me for lunch at The Fox and luckily on the menu was my favourite lemon goujons. This afternoon amongst the office work I found time to get my hair cut by ‘Barty' the ‘Barbie, in Chippy, or in other words Richard Bartholemew, the hairdresser in Chipping Norton. Among his celebrity clients are Charlie Longsdon and Barnsy. Charlie has to have his seat lowered to get his face in the mirror, whilst Barty commented that Barnsy's hair is getting darker as he gets older. He believes this is either due to the fact he is dying his hair or that he is a freak of nature and our money is on the latter.

Today's horse in focus is Whichever who was purchased as a yearling at Newmarket sales. Now four years old, she has certainly strengthened considerably since being educated at Adlestrop last season. Owned by John Williams who owns such good horses as Morello and Whenever, this daughter of Where Or When is a well balanced easy moving type.

Having had a moody temperament as a youngster, hence her name Whichever, her mother was a decent flat horse and although she is yet to do any faster work, she looks the type to have an engine and we look forward to running her in mares bumpers in February time.

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