26th February, 2010


Everyone was delighted to see Captain Tidds win at Warwick today. This was for several reasons including the patience of his owner Colin Pocock who has been a loyal client for many years and owned Peachy with us previously. Also that it was the Roscoe Harvey Memorial race, named in honour of a fantastic character who we all admired and owned Relkeel amongst other good horses.

Given a fine ride by Sean Quinlan, Captain Tidds has now learned to settle and jumped superbly to an impressive success now that he has stepped up to three miles. We will see what the handicapper does before deciding on his next race.

Good to see the string in such fine form and we are looking forward to a successful spring.

Last night's Question Of Sport evening was a great success. Thanks to the excellent questions set by Adlestrop Club member Eric Painting. Following the first round, the Inverdale team which included the loyal trainer, got exactly zero points on football. However they recovered to be just ten points off the winning team hosted by Mark Pougatch.

Of the twenty guest teams, the winners unfrotuantely once again included Gordy Clarkson, rick Allen, John Dykoskwi and Jon Dadswell. A great evening was had by all thanks to Chipping Norton Golf Club and we look forward to next year.

Today's horse in focus is Mick's Dancer. Purchased from Willie Muir before Christmas for members of the Ascot Five Plus One Partnership that owned Dark n Sharp. A decent flat horse by Pivotal, aged five he is rated in the eighties on the flat. Last flat season he had some decent form and we look forward to him running over hurdles in the next few weeks and he may possibly run on the flat as well over the summer. If he does half as well as Dark n Sharp we will be very pleased and he looks like a promising recruit.

25th February, 2010

We have been discussing today if you should do a blog if nothing has happened. It has been one of those lovely mornings when all went to plan. Thursday is a quiet day following the previous work morning. With no visitors it gives the trainer a chance to catch up with his office work and telephone call.

With no runners today, it was pleasing to hear from my old friend Jon Dadswell who arrived for lunch. Even better he was paying and we went to the Horse and Groom at Oddington to discuss the old days. Jon and I were brought up in the village of Ashtead from the age of five. At that time, we were a third of the size and in our own minds played every sport brilliantly. Jon has arrived to take part in this evening's Adlestrop Club Question of Sport taking place at Chipping Norton Golf club. We have over ninety people coming to what promises to be a really fun evening. One of the team captains, John Inverdale has just text me to say he has set off so we will see him about 10.30pm as he lives in Richmond and has the M25 to contend with.

Gordy and I have watched with interest the 4.45pm at Navan. Where the Willie Mullins favourite is out of mare we used to train called Listen Up. Whose first foal is one of inmates, Joking Aside. Starting 8-11 favourite, he couldn't do what his mother did by winning his first bumper and finished third. Maybe he will not be one of the Mullins festival hopes now.

Just off to do evening stables before preparing for the big competition tonight. Will let you know the result tomorrow.

Today's horse in focus is Lucky Sunny. Lucky Sunny was purchased at the April Cheltenham sale in 2007 for 10,000. he is owned in partnership by myself and Fred Cooke. Fred and I attended the sale following a days racing at Cheltenham and he had just enquired why a certain horse had fetched £100,000. I replied that probably next year it would be worth £10,000 and the clever thing to do would be to buy one for £10,000 and sell it for £100,000. Being an oil trader, he liked that idea and we brought Lucky Sunny back to Adlestrop and broke him in that summer before turning him away. A backward type with niggly problems such as sore shins etc, but made a very impressive winning debut at Uttoxeter in December before following up to finish an excellent third at Warwick on New Years Day. Failing to fetch his reserve at the recent Brightwell Sale, we have now schooled him over hurdles and look forward to a promising hurdling career this spring. He is for sale to stay in the yard, so please do not hesitate to give us a call.

24th February, 2010


We eventually got to Doncaster despite the M1 being shut. Amazing how a lorry can be overturned at 5am and still be there some six hours later. You can put a man on the moon yet you can't keep a road clear, unbelievable.

Pak Jack travelled well until Trabolgan jumped across him when his chesnut dummy fell out once again and from then on after travelling well, decided he wasn't in the mood. It appears the Aintree fences bring out the best in him and we will head for the Topham now.

One of the few advantages of the all weather track at Lingfield according to my mother, is that I can visit her on the way home. Last night was one of these occasions when I popped in to see the ‘Mother Teresa' of Surrey . At the age of 88, she has finally learned how to make a curry and treated her youngest son to a chicken one. This was inter spaced with a game of football in the kitchen with some of my nephews and nieces who as you may or may not know are from a family of the large variety, namely ten.

This morning Dave Mason came to see his promising four year old he purchased at the breeze up sales for his wife, Pauline. He is a large chesnut horse, and because he is big and orange may well be named, ‘Outspan.'

The work morning went well and the horses appear ready to go as soon as race planning provide the races.

23rd February, 2010


Underworld Dandy ran at Lingfield this afternoon. He made most of the running until turning for home, when he threw in the towel after the leaders past him with two to run. At that point he had the expression of a Gordon Brown advisor. He blew about as hard as Usain Bolt with a shopping trolley afterwards. Next time we will hold him up a bit more.

Pak Jack has been declared for the veterans chase at Doncaster tomorrow, a race for horses that have their own zimmer frame. Hopefully the ground will not be too soft and he should run a good race under Choc Thornton.

Before setting off for Lingfield we had a visit from Camilla Murdoch who came to see her extended family, Luce Bay and Loch Oscaig. If race planning could put on a 0-70 handicap chase over 2 ¾ miles on good ground, on a left handed track for horses that are bay, 16.2hh and have ears like sky dishes, we decided Luce Bay could well be winning for us.

If anyone has noticed the flower arrangements at the front of our drive recently, these are thanks to Ted and Ann Miles who live next door to The Fox in Lower Oddington . Ted and Ann are responsible for the garden at the famous pub and anyone who has not witnessed the garden there in the summer is missing out. I would like to thank Ted and Ann very much for their efforts, as it beats paying them.

We are always amused in the yard by members of staff who forget to use the right word and the right time. Hannah who's nickname in the yard is ‘Spanner,' was recently hosing down a horses leg that was cut while schooling. Whilst standing there for fifteen minutes with a hose pipe, with the horse still bleeding, she turned to Gordy and said, “this horse is bleeding so much, it must be a hypochondriac.” On looking at Gordon's face she realised she must have made a mistake. “That's not right is it?” said Hannah, “no you mean a haemophiliac” advised Gordy. She left shaking her head in the hope that Gordy wouldn't tell anyone. Some chance of that.

You may know or not know that our new yard sponsor, Martin Harvey is not a man likely to suffer from anorexia. It amused us all recently when we were sat down to lunch with Martin and Barnsy, that when the waitress read out the specials board starters there was a whole baked camembert for two. Before Martin could say anything, Barnsy looked up at our sponsor and said, “that's for two Martin remember.” Martin had a prawn cocktail after that bit of advice.

Today's horse in focus is Loch Oscaig who has recently come to us. The ten year old has won two races and been placed eight times. He was bought as a foal by Camilla Murdoch and has done them proud. Over the last year or so he has been treated for sarcoids which have hampered his career for a while. However the treatment appears to have gone well and his is now in training with the hope of getting him fit for a run late spring. If he were human, you wouldn't have him in your quiz team but he seems an honest sort who enjoys life and hopefully he will get back to winning ways soon.

22nd February, 2010

A busy weekend as ever with lots of visitors on Saturday morning. Visitors included our yard sponsor, Martin and Sue Harvey with some clients, of which one of them was easily the most interesting Dutch man I have ever met.

Sunday was Godfather Day. I have several Godchildren, which is a sure sign of irresponsibility of some parents. Each year I have a day with them to cement our relationship. This year, I burnt them lunch in the excellent Adlestrop village hall, whilst defeating them at table tennis and pool. I am nice to them now in the hope that they will look after me in my old age, if I get that far.

Friday night, I caught up with Garry and Trina Braybrooke Jones in the Horse and Groom in Upper Oddington . They own Khumbu who unfortunately fell at the first on his first venture over fences last week. Garry went some way to getting his own back by ordering a quadruple vodka when I offered him a drink.

I caught up with Barnsy last night as he organised his birthday party for this coming Sunday. It is the night of the Lesters, the jockeys awards but I think there will be more jockeys at Barnsy's party than in London this year.

Luckily this morning, the snow did not interfere with the horses' exercise but the ground continues to be too soft for most of ours so not many entries this week.

We received an email from Michael Caulfield this morning. Better known as ‘Corky' he was the Chief Executive of the Jockeys Association in a past life. He is working as a sports psychologist throughout the world at present and has just landed in Kathmandu . He has arrived there from Dubai and he has just witnessed a stark contrast as on arriving at the hotel, there is an announcement of a general strike with, ‘everything will be closed and not much traffic on the streets.' As he points out, not many spin doctors in that part of the world.

Today's horse in focus is King Jack. King Jack was purchased at the Doncaster May Sales as a four year old. He went on to win a bumper first time out at Folkestone, before giving weight to Diamond Harry on the Doncaster Sales bumper at Newbury being beaten less than two lengths. A useful novice hurdler, he won at Kempton and Wetherby before a wind operation interrupted his chasing career. Fortunately he now seems back on track having recently won at Huntingdon. He is owned by the Gryffindor Partnership, headed by James Colling who named the horse after his son. Hopefully he looks like creating some more fun this season.

19th February, 2010


Gentle Guru once again ran a game race beaten two lengths by the winner to finish fourth, yesterday at Southwell. She is not keen on the kick back, however the fibre sand suits her and Steve Drowne believes she will get her head in front soon.

Despite the snow, I made it to see the Lambourn mob last night for a supper party organised by Gee Bradburne. Also in attendance were her brother, Marcus and John Francome. We all go back a long way and it is always good to catch up with the latest news. It is well documented that Gee and I used to be an item in another century, when as she points out, I was thinner than Mark Bradburne and stroppier and more pedantic than I am now.

Marcus and I used to own a house together. If you haven't heard the story, we went to get our mortgage one day and when the lady on the other side of the desk asked us the name of the property, we both replied in unison in the softest of voices, “2 Queens Cottages.” From then on we were known as ‘The Queens.'

Last night's food was cooked by Mark's sister, Lorna Bradburne who you would have seen presenting on television and is this year marrying Tattersalls auctioneer, Harry Fowler. Lorna's mackerel pate comes highly recommended.

Francome and I were relating the time I had my first ride in a charity race at Wincanton. Marcus rode a horse of Kim Bailey's that dropped him five times on the way to the start and we recall Francome shouting to him, “you'd think he would have broken it in before he put you up on that.” When Marcus eventually got to the start just before the off, Francome shouted to him, “Fluffy, tapes going up in a minute, then you will be able to get your own back on him!”

On my first ride having lost two stone thanks to the cabbage soup diet, I got changed in between John Francome and Lester Piggott. As I walked towards my peg, I turned to Lester and said “haven't been here for a while, have we mate?” Even the ‘long fella' smiled.

There was snow on the ground this morning but it hasn't interrupted exercise and we had some more visitors seeing the delights of Adlestrop for the first time.

Apparently the conversation amongst the staff this morning was all about who killed Archie Mitchell. Personally I would ban Eastenders, no wonder it is a broken society with that trash on. However with Barbara Windsor in it, I think it should be called ‘Carry On Killing.' I have no idea who Archie Mitchell was but we have been tipped off that it was Jean Slater, whoever she is. She was 50-1 and is now 11-4.

Today's horse in focus is Khumbu. Named after a region in the Himalayas , he was purchased at the Cheltenham Breeze Up sales. Owned by Garry and Catriona Braybrooke Jones, he won a bumper at Hereford before being placed several times over hurdles. His chasing career has not gone to plan as he toppled over at the first fence in his first chase, having appeared to have jumped the fence perfectly well. However over a trip on good ground, he will be undoubtedly competitive over hurdles or fences.

18th February, 2010

It is normally a quiet morning for the horses the day after a work morning and they all seem to be unscathed. No visitors this morning so it gives the trainer a chance to go through the racing calendar looking for potential races with as poor opposition as possible. Which is always fun. Unfortunately most of the other trainers in Britain are doing exactly the same.

Tot Calver popped in. Tot has a share in Giovanna and generously supplies the office with flowers and fragrant candles. Surprisingly this is not to please the secretary but the trainer, who definitely has a feminine side.

Gentle Guru runs this afternoon at Southwell in the seven furlong handicap. There are no other races for her at the moment, so we are trying this trip again as she seemed to get outpaced last time over six. We are looking forward to running her on the turf with hopefully some cut in the ground.

Last night was time to catch up with Barnsy in the Horse & Groom. As many of you will know, I like trying out various glasses of wine and the landlord, Simon Jackson never fails to come up with some interesting selections. I'm always fascinated by what Barnsy has for his tea. It never ceases to amaze me how abnormal the answer always is. Last night he announced he had Christmas cake, a banana and two satsumas. One of my favourite answers was, two fish fingers, half a tin of peaches and some brussell sprouts. Presumably in that order.

Today's horse in focus is Joking Aside. She was bought as a foal and she is the first off spring of a mare we used to train, Listen Up who won two bumpers and a hurdle race for us. She would have made a nice chaser but for a tendon injury. Joking Aside was syndicated to a similar syndicate two seasons ago and has been rather backward. She showed promise in her novice hurdles but disappointed on her handicap debut at Hereford last week. She is rather like her mother in that she can work exceptionally well at home on occasions and hopefully stepping up in trip on better ground will see a vast improvement.

The Listeners were named by their trainer as he believes they are the perfect type of owner and we look forward to their patience being rewarded in the spring. She certainly jumps well enough and will hopefully go chasing at some point.

17th February, 2010

Today was a work morning with the horses in fine fettle on the whole. The Cheltenham Breeze Up purchases are coming along nicely. Runners wise are thin on the ground at present as there does not seem to be too many suitable races around. I am sure race planning isn't as easy as it looks but races are like London buses.

You would be surprised how much office work is involved in training racehorses and there are always phone calls to make. I was speaking to Linda Tomlin, Bobby Donald's owner last night who wanted me to report on the blog that her husband was missing having gone to the pub at 3pm. Husband Les lives very close to his local which is a good thing in one way but possibly not so good in the other. Having spoken to Linda on the phone again this morning, I could hear Les in the background but am yet to find out what time he returned.

The Grand National weights came out yesterday and we have Pak Jack entered. Despite the handicapper Phil Smith putting a few pounds on him for his excellent record around the Aintree course, he is still very unlikely to get a run in the race as he is a fair way down the weights. In fact I give Nick Clegg a better chance.

Today's horse in focus is Harriet Bolt. This five year old mare was purchased at the Doncaster May Sales by her owner, Judith Holt. By Anshan , she is a half sister to a good chaser in, Presenting Express and came to Adlestrop in the autumn. A lover of food, she has taken a bit of time to get her tummy off, however she has been improving with faster work and the aim is to run her in a bumper to evaluate her in the spring.

16th February, 2010



It is always nice to have a visit from the Cooke family. Fred and I are normally at this time of year, playing golf in South Africa for my annual holiday. However this year due to lots of circumstances including recession, we were not able to go. Fred and his wife Zoe brought the children to stay, Sunny and Freddie.

Lucky Sunny is named after Fred's daughter and the winning bumper horse is owned by myself and Fred. The family were present to witness his schooling over hurdles this morning along with a few others so hopes are high that he will be adding to our tally this season.

Marston and Quinlan were on the schooling ground together this morning and all went well.

Tuesday mornings in the office we always have a game of ‘guess the handicap mark changes.' Marston although he rides like Batman, is more of a joker and had convinced me before I had got to the office that the handicapper had put up Good For Blue, thirteen pounds. Luckily before I had time to ring the handicapper to offer his castration and family torment, Jo assured me it was only six pounds. Still high enough. Let's hope he is progressive.

Last night was spent at The Chequers at Churchill with the Cooke family. Not everywhere is open on a Monday night in the Cotswolds, however we had a warm welcome. The pub is run by Assumpta who is one of twenty three children and born in County Longford . Barnsy's former mare Assumptalina was named after his favourite women, one being Assumpta, the other being Joline.

Barnsy once again provided much entertainment last night when attending retired jockey Lawrence Walthew's seventieth birthday. Whilst standing in the Fox at Barrington, a man came through the packed bar to greet Barnsy with, “hello Mick, I haven't seen you for years,” to which Barnsy replied, “hello mate, I thought you were long gone dead and buried. In fact I was only thinking the other week that I was really gutted I never went to your funeral.” Some things never change.

Today's horse in focus is Great Hero. Great Hero is a home bred five year old bred by John and Pat Cantrill. The Cantrills have many horses over the years and this is a half brother to the staying hurdler Paddys Tern. He arrived with us last season on the backward side and had one run in a bumper for education on ground that was far too soft for him. He has always galloped nicely at home and returned to us after Christmas following a spell with ex jockey, John Suthern. He is now cantering away and we look forward to running him later in the spring in either a bumper or novice hurdle.

15th February, 2010



The horses are running as expected on the whole with Underworld Dandy running second at Lingfield on Saturday beaten a length by the winner, whilst Thompson and Go All Out are still waiting for a suitable race over the right trip and ground. Tiger Line needs further on a more galloping track but will be okay in handicaps. Joking Aside travelled very well but faded quite quickly so we will have to investigate.

At Exeter Dickie Valentine pleased us with his run in the novice hurdle. Not surprisingly on Valentines day he was backed from 100-1 down to 40-1 but should be competitive with another run under his belt.

I went to Hereford and saw members of the Tremolos and Listeners syndicate there. It amused us all that one of the members of the listeners was being taken out by her husband last night for a romantic Valentines dinner to a pub called the Axe and Cleaver.

Sunday morning was busy as ever with a fair few owners popping in and the family sized tube of Toblerone given to me by Jo's dog, Beanie for Valentines Day was soon polished off.

I was sad to hear the news of Dick Francis passing, he was a lovely man and I had the pleasure of having lunch with him a few years ago in the Kings Head in Bledington. I am not one for reading novels but thankfully I read one just before my English O level written by him called ‘Risk'. Luckily one of the questions was write about a novel you had recently read and as it was the second novel I had ever read, I was able to remember most of it and ended up passing the exam. Which was certainly a shock to my teacher.

Monday mornings are normally fairly quiet and exercise passed without incident. Obviously it was yet another lunch, this time with owner Rick Allen who conned me into buying him lunch if he paid his last outstanding bill. Unfortunately I paid the bill before I saw the date he put on the cheque.

There has been much conjecture over the identity of the Euro Millions winners who live in Cirencester. We thought as they were quite local and had won fifty six million pounds we had better get the know them. However Rick saw them on the lunchtime news and pointed out that, “if I were him, I'd get rid of his Mrs, it would be twenty eight million well spent!” I can't wait to see the news to see if I agree.

Whilst writing this blog, Gordy entered the office to see if we had heard his stand off on the road opposite the yard. It was with a visitor who had driven up from the West country and was lost looking for some cottages in the local hamlet of Cornwell. In good old traditional Cotswold manner, Gordy was just about to tell him how to get to the village when expletives started flying. “You haven't got a clue what I'm talking about, all you people from the Cotswolds are the same, I wish I'd have stayed in Cornwall !” Anyone who has seen Clarkson when he loses it, will know it is always entertaining and although his reply can't be repeated on this blog, the man in question immediately got into his car and is the process off heading off down the M5.

Today's horse in focus is Good For Blue. He was purchased at the Doncaster May sales for the princely sum of 3000 guineas by his trainer. He was a nervy character to break in and had a few mishaps. However Melissa Chesterman did an excellent job with him and returned him to Adlestrop a far quieter individual. Having bucked during the whole first furlong of his bumper at Haydock, he eventually settled and went on to be a decent third. Following three hurdle runs, he won his first handicap last week at Huntingdon as he has now learned to settle far better in his races. He is owned by The Someday's Here Partnership, our American friends, who originally had What A Vintage with us. The mare won a bumper and over hurdles for us and has now had two foals by Kayf Tara and is due again soon. Hopefully on better ground and a further trip there will be more improvement in Good For Blue and he will carry on the fun for his ever enthusiastic owners.

13th February, 2010


All mornings are busy but Saturdays in particular are always of that persuasion. There were a couple of interesting pieces of work this morning and unlike Paul Nicholls, we will keep them under our hat for the moment. We had Warren and Sean in to ride work. Warren rode Lord Leigh's Irish point to point winner, Golfers Crossing and hopefully he looks the type to run well in a bumper when he appears. Unlike his owner he is an athletic, attractive type and quite talented and luckily doesn't carry as much condition.

We had a visit from friends of our yard sponsors, the Harveys this morning. Part of our sponsorship deal is to entertain clients and the workforce of Tori Global and hopefully they had an entertaining morning. Martin Harvey will be pleased to know that sausages were provided and as they had a cooked breakfast before they arrived, there are still a few left which has pleased the trainer.

Today's horse in focus is the afore mentioned Golfers Crossing. He was the winner of his only point to point in Ireland . By Derby runner up, City Honours he is a very athletic type who was given time last year due to a niggling injury. The break has done him good and he is due to run in his first bumper in the next few weeks. Ultimately he will be a chaser as he jumps very well. He got his name as he was owned by two fellows from Lismore in County Cork and they were looking for a name for the horse and could not decide amongst them anything suitable. Whilst one of them was driving through Lismore, his partner was putting him under pressure to come up with a name as he was due to run in a point to point the following week. As they live inbetween a golf course, he named the horse after the first sign in front of him as he drove through the village.

12th February, 2010


Pleased to report yesterday's runners all seem fine after their efforts. Always nice to see the horses in form and various owners had each way bets. One who didn't was unfortunately Barnsy who due to his lack of professionalism, fell asleep before Good For Blue's victory. When Gordy rang him to see if had watched the race, Barnsy having just woken up said ‘what time does that run mate?' Gordy's reply that he had just won at 14-1 was met by a reply that cannot be repeated on this blog.

An interested aside to Good For Blue's victory was on first glance, Sean Quinlan looked very tidy in the last hundred yards and having watched the replay I know why. Sean had dropped his stick after the last and many of us had failed to notice this. However Sean can offer no thanks to James, one of my grooms, who whilst I was talking to Sean in the winners enclosure turned up with stick held aloft and handed it to Sean saying “here's your stick,” Sean's face was one of a man who would have loved to have hit him with it as he had alerted everyone to Sean's minor error. As someone said the in yard, it beats him dropping his lipstick.

This morning Annie, partner to Lawrence Robertson MP to Tewkesbury came to ride out Stop The Show. Annie was trying him out to see if he would be suitable as a possible ride in the charity race on the Thursday of Cheltenham Festival. Amongst the riders will be Camilla Henderson, daughter of Nicky and Georgie Brown, partner of Paul Nicholls. Annie has been riding horses for years and has her own thoroughbred. Each rider has to raise £5000 for Cancer Research so it is all in a good cause and Stop The Show may well give her a good ride around Cheltenham . It is probably the Adlestrop Club's best chance of having a runner at the Festival.

In case you were worried, I am having lunch today as I didn't have one yesterday with some owners of mine in Sandown. Adrian Wright and his friends have been long standing owners and we are in the process of trying to get a partnership together to take on Gentle Guru. Adrian introduced me to Ian Brown, who has owned horses previously such as Averted View, Gentle Guru and now Fair Breeze. Adrian has been involved with us for many a season with horses including winners Exile and Afeef and is a great supporter of the Phillips yard.

I was amused the other day to hear one of my owners describe a certain flat jockey riding his horse, trained by Richard Hannon. My owner was never a fan of the jockey in question and he was riding his horse in the last race of the day. His opinion of the jockey was enhanced when he noticed on entering the paddock, underneath his silks the jockey wore a collar and tie for a quick getaway. Needless to say he returned after the race without a bead of sweat on him and failed to hang around to speak to the owner. He was last seen driving out the car park before the winner had left the enclosure. I will not reveal the name of the said jockey other than to say his surname rhymes with ‘mouse.' Answers on a postcard please.

The horse in focus today is Go All Out. Go All Out was runner up in two point to points in Ireland before we purchased him for Willsford Racing. Willsford Racing comprises of Arnie Kaplan and Tony Phillips. Arnie and Tony do great works for charity and help run the ‘Gentlemens Night Out' which raises over a quarter of million pounds for charity in December every year. Go All Out was quite headstrong in his early days with us but has learned to settle better now and he has shown promise in a novice hurdle at Warwick last season. He has since had a wind operation and hopefully on better ground in the spring he will be competitive for us in novice handicaps over hurdles and fences. He is an excellent jumper and runs tomorrow at Warwick on ground that will probably be too soft, over a trip too short for him but it will be a starting point.

11th February, 2010



Today's trip to Huntingdon was certainly worthwhile with a double thanks to King Jack and Good For Blue. Mr Mackay running for The Adlestrop Club, narrowly missed out on a treble when running a gallant third in the first race.

King Jack appears to be on his way back. He travelled and jumped well throughout and stayed on well to out gallop his rivals. Better ground and a further trip will certainly suit so hopefully the handicapper will give him a chance of following up. The owners have been very patient with him and hopefully that will be rewarded this spring as he certainly has talent.

Good For Blue got off the mark on his handicap debut. Settling at the rear early on, he came through with smooth progress to challenge at the second last under a fine ride from Sean Quinlan. Sean reported that he would certainly stay further and again the handicapper will determine where we go from here. His owners Eustace, Carol and Karen were unable to be present having flown over from America last week to see him run, only for the meeting to be abandoned. Hopefully next time they will be able to see him win. Costing only 3000 guineas as a store horse at Doncaster , having shown promise in bumpers this son of Beneficial may not be the biggest but certainly has ability.

All did not go to plan in the handicap chase when Khumbu failed to get his landing gear out at the first fence on his chasing debut. Luckily he appears fine and I am sure he will be winning.

Today's horse in focus is Glad Big. Glad Big was purchased at the horses in training sale in Newmarket following a flat career with Jamie Osborne. He is German bred and won four races on the flat for Jamie and went on to win twice over hurdles for us in the colours of the Bellflower Partnership. He made his chase debut at Uttoxeter last June and jumped very well finished a good third. Unfortunately after this we found he had a stress fracture of his pedal bone, therefore he has had a long summer holiday. However he has recovered well and is now back in full work and we look forward to him competing in novice handicap chases this spring for his new owners, Peter Deal and Lady Lewinton. The Deals and Lewintons have been owners for many years and have shown great patience with this eight year old. We are sure he can add to their list of winners which include past inmates, Time Wont Wait, Willie Makeit and Bullfinch.

10th February, 2010


Wednesday is a work morning and one or two of the young horses went well in their first piece of work, which always pleases the trainer. Last evening I was kindly invited out to something that is always looked forward to in the Gloucestershire area, supper with Dashers. Dashers is one of the local characters and is a quite brilliant cook. There was much fun and hilarity on offer. Among the guests were William and Caroline Nunnelly. William is a senior stipendiary steward with the BHA whilst Caroline is a brilliant artist specialising in sculpture. I never see enough of William as I am never in trouble enough with the authorities, something I always point out. It is always entertaining when people fall asleep as supper and last night that was local legend Johnny Doitch, who last night for thirty five minutes at least had presumed he had been invited to a sleep over rather than a supper party.

Have driven to Ludlow today and gave a one way lift to Warren Marston. Which is always more entertaining than taking him there and back. Giovanna ran an excellent race to finish third under top weight in the mares handicap hurdle. She is as tough as teak and Richard Johnson was very keen to finish in the first three as it helps pay his petrol back to Hereford . This brings us onto our horse in focus, Giovanna.

Giovanna was purchased at the Tattersalls Foal sales by her trainer for 4500 guineas. She was bred by Colin Smith's (owner of Jackdaws Castle ) daughter, Emma. She has won seven races for us including two bumpers and has been an example of consistency throughout her career. These days she likes good ground and a trip as far as possible and although the handicapper does not relent, she hopefully will be winning again now spring is on the way. She is owned by our first ever partnership, The Dozen Dreamers who are an enthusiastic bunch who have had many winners along the way.

9th February, 2010


What a varied life a trainer has. There is always something going on and things to do and yesterday was one of those rare days when I could go and see a few horses in the local vicinity. In the afternoon I popped over to see Melissa Chesterman, who has a livery yard near Burford. Melissa breaks in a few horses for us and keeps a few at livery. I have known her for sometime and she was one of those lucky people who worked for me in the early days and therefore knows Phillips's ways.

One of her inmates is one of our old warriors Warjan, who was a very decent hurdler on his day. When we were at Jackdaws Castle , he was one of the favourites for the Triumph Hurdle following an impressive hurdling debut, only for the event to be called off thanks to foot and mouth. Warjan spends his days hunting now and is brilliant at it.

Burford is one of those places I drive through a lot and due to some necessary shopping, I walked the High Street, which is not something I have done since I was a student at Witney College . I invested £4.95 in a pink scarf for my secretary, as it beats giving her a pay rise.

In the evening I was kindly invited to Cathy Twiston-Davies's for supper which was a very enjoyable experience, other than the fact she had also invited Carl Llewellyn.

This mornings schooling session did not quite go to plan but things could have been worse. We got a few of the babies off the ground as the frost stayed away.

Yes, yet another lunch today. This time with the Tomlins, Les and Linda who came over to look at Bobby Donald and discuss his prospects. The Tomlins are very generous and although we take it in turns to pay, Linda always seems to get the upper hand.

Steve Smith also popped in. Steve produces our Adlestrop Club Flyer and he delivered the Winter issue. We have known Steve a long time and in the old days, he owned a horse called Samuel Wilderspin who won many races. It is fair to say that Steve loves to have a bet and he has a lot of multiple bets going on for Cheltenham which include amongst others, Kauto Star and Big Bucks winning, doubled up with Gordon Brown developing a sense of humour and a one legged winner of Dancing On Ice. I have more faith with the Nicholls camp than the latter.

The horse in focus today is Gentle Guru. Gentle Guru was bred by myself and David Redvers of Tweenhills Farm Stud. She was purchased by The Flying Tiger Parntership as a two year old and was runner up at Goodwood before winning at Warwick as a juvenile, ridden by Tom Queally. She has won four more races since including at Newbury. She is as tough as teak and is out of Soft Touch, a mare trained by Gay Kelleway as a two year old, who went on to score over hurdles for us at Worcester under Richard Johnson. She has proved to be a decent broodmare and Gentle Guru's full brother sold for 32,000 guineas last autumn and is in training with Tom Dascombe.

She is at present owned by the trainer and when she won at Kempton, she was one of those rare horses who was owned, bred and trained by the same person and although he did not ride her, he did ride her mother in a charity race at Wincanton finishing a staying on fifth.

Gentle Guru likes six furlongs and cut in the ground and is at present running consistently well on the all weather, although she will soon be up for syndication and anyone interested, please do be in touch with us.

8th February, 2010


Fontwell was the first National Hunt track I ever went to as a young boy and has always been a favourite venue for me. However the course is not perfect for most racehorses, as it is quite sharp and undulating. Despite this, Eastwell Smiles coped well yesterday and finished a game third on ground he would not have loved. I had lunch with his owner Turloo Parrett at the racecourse and I must admit it is one of the better restaurants on racecourses and is highly recommended.

Beccy Green is one of the managers at the course and does an excellent job and is a real character with it. She has one of our ex racehorses, Another General who she nicknames ‘Gennifer.' Quite an appropriate nickname for him as he is not the most masculine of horses, however he won seven races for us and was a real star and it is great that he is having such an enjoyable retirement.

The horses seemed quite bright this morning which is always a good sign on a Monday and we look forward to organising a schooling session tomorrow morning to put the finishing touches to this week's runners.

I read with interest the other day that the barmy Dunwoody is off doing one of his jaunts again for charity – which beats having a job. I believe he is walking along the Great Wall of China . Knowing him, I'm surprised he is not rebuilding it.

Today's horse in focus is Father Martin. Father Martin was purchased as a yearling through Allan Bloodlines. He was always going to be a backward type so did not do any fast work last year as a two year old and we will decide whether or not we go the flat or bumper route once we get him going in the spring. He is owned by our new yard sponsors, the Harveys and he really will be a very attractive horse when he has finished growing. He is named after a catholic priest in Buckinghamshire who drinks in the same pub as the Harveys . Father Martin has been to visit his namesake and likes to follow the horses, so I am sure we will have a lot of fun once he is up and running. The equine version was gelded last year which is an operation that could certainly have helped the Irish catholic church in the past.

Saturday mornings are always busy with plenty of visitors. We had Ray and Jane Bailey, members of the Adlestrop Club and long time owners. Also some people who had purchased a morning on the gallops for charity. Once again it was purchased by someone who got too drunk in the city but it is always nice to welcome people to Adlestrop. The bucks fizz flowed so hopefully they will have good memories of the village.

Work morning went well with next week's runners all pleasing in their last piece before running. A few of the younger ones are getting going now and it looks as though we will have some promising bumper runners in March and April.

I know some very important news to many of you will be that we did finally buy a Bosch vacuum cleaner thanks to Which magazine. Will keep you informed how it works.

Today's horse in focus is Fair Breeze. Fair Breeze is an unraced three year old owned by The Flying Tiger Partnership, whom we have had success with over the years with Gentle Guru and Averted View amongst others. She is out of Soft Touch, a mare that David Redvers and I share who resides at David's Tweenhills Farm Stud. Fair Breeze is a half sister to Gentle Guru who has won five races for us and this daughter of Trade Fair has shown promise in her work at two but was too weak to get on the course. She takes after her father in looks and will hopefully be making her debut late spring, early summer.

Yesterday we were blogged off. We had a busy morning of visitors including Roz Underwood who has a share in Mr Tingle. Roz has been on holiday and sensibly brought her trainer a belated Christmas present, which included a bottle of port. This will be kept away from Barnsy as he drank the last one.

Angela, the Keswick's long serving stud manager, also popped in on her day off, showing great dedication, to see Notker, the handsome homebred.

Bunny and Paul Roberts made their first visit to Adlestrop to view Bunny's new purchase, Ata Boy. He was bought with the help of Graham Bradley at the Cheltenham breeze up sale in December. He is a full brother to Australia Day and is a fine type who looks to have a promising future.

It was impressive that on their first visit to Adlestrop, they attempted to get into the Guinness Book of Records for the world's longest lunch at the Horse and Groom in Upper Oddington . Our friendship goes back a long time to the Candy years, when Bunny's family had such greats as High Line, Master Willie and Time Charter. We had lots to talk about and we look forward to welcoming them both back to Adlestrop very soon.

Today's horse in focus is Eastwell Smiles. Eastwell Smiles runs on Sunday in the 3 mile 3 furlong handicap hurdle at Fontwell. He was purchased as a yearling where under bidders included Mark Johnston and David Elsworth. He is a half brother to the successful, Three Degrees and has always been a backward type who has been placed in a maiden on the flat and over hurdles. He ran excellent race last time out to finish second on his owner Turloo Parrett's local track, Folkestone where despite the heavy ground he stayed on well to be a good second to an improver.

Turloo owns Eastwell Manor Hotel in Kent and in the past owned useful stayer, Eastwell Hall. This horse is named Eastwell Smiles as Turloo always insists on his staff giving clients a good smile on all occasions. We look forward to this grey giving us all a smile very soon.

With Leicester off today, it's desperate bad luck for Eustace and Carol Theodore who had flown over from America to see Good For Blue run. Yesterday morning they were both up with their partner, Karen Anderson, to watch their horses on the gallops and with all the anticipation and disappointment, it really does test the character.

It is also disappointing for Garry and Catriona Braybrooke Jones, whose horse Khumbu was one of the favourites for the maiden chase today and we were hopeful of a big run. The weather really has scuppered our plans over the last month or so.

I was at Taunton yesterday to saddle Departed and Lady Londra. Departed is too high in the handicap and would prefer better ground, whilst Lady Londra proved that she will not get the trip over hurdles and will now go off to do another job.

Two wonderful things happened at Taunton yesterday, our owner Lizzie Prowting had a home bred winner and Alan King bought me a drink. To be fair, the Barbury Castle trainer is a very generous man at the bar and we celebrated Whistlejacquet's success in the novice hurdle.

Popped into the Fox on the way home for a drink with Barnsy and Warren Marston which is always entertaining conversation thanks to Barnsy's deafness. Barnsy is keen to take Warren on holiday with him and was discussing going on a cruise. When Warren asked Barnsy if he had any Speedos, the reply was “yeah mate, it's a straw one like a cowboy hat.” This could be put down to Barnsy's deafness or his lack of knowledge of swimwear. The answer is probably both.

This morning we worked a few of the younger horses who have been recently purchased and all seems to be going well with them. It's one of the most exciting parts of the job to see young horses show talent in the mornings.

Today's horse in focus is Departed. Departed got his name because it is his owners, The New Pink Panthers, favourite Oscar winning film and being by the famous Coolmore sire, Oscar it got the vote. Departed was purchased as a foal by Chris Newport, one of our most loyal owners. Chris has worked in the city most of his life but before that he had a spell being an amateur rider with David Nicholson amongst others. For many years he has pin hooked foals for his friends in the city and has had a tremendous strike rate with them, with the vast majority going on to win.

Departed had some joint problems as a young horse and therefore did not come to us until late last summer. He showed promise in his first hurdle run but unfortunately with the ridiculous handicap system, he was flattered by the lengths he was beaten by the winner and has been persecuted by the handicapper for it. He wants good ground, a trip and a chase fence and hopefully in the spring, on the right handicap mark, he will once again add to Chris Newport's winning purchases.







Thanks to the generosity of owners, Les an Linda Tomlin, we are now in business on the bird front.  Les and Linda have kindly replaced the missing fat ball holder with a new sunflower seed holder and new fat balls.  We are pleased to report we have been visited this morning by several tits.

With Kempton being off yesterday, I spent the afternoon looking at some of my ex inmates who are now broodmares. What A Vintage, who won twice for us and is owned by The Someday's Here Partnership, is once again in foal to Kayf Tara. She looks woolly and well and is due to foal in April. At Conduit Stud at Churchill not far from Adlestrop is Tiger Moss, a mare I share with Steven Smith. She is also in foal to Kayf Tara and is due in June. She is out of a mare called Mighty Phantom who gave us a lot of fun in the early part of my career. She will always be remembered for me purchasing a battered Ford Fiesta for £200, which I would drive behind her to get her onto the gallops in the early mornings. The engine didn't work very well but luckily the horse did.

I always like visiting Conduit as it is always nice to catch up with Christopher Sweeting, who nearly has as many opinions as myself. We had an excellent cup of Earl Gray but fortunately or unfortunately, he couldn't find his wife Jane's home made ginger biscuits. I have been promised them next time.

Today's horse in focus is Captain Tidds, who has been unlucky not to win for us this season having been narrowly beaten by Senor Shane at Lingfield. Now he has learned to settle, we look forward to running him on better ground over three miles on a left handed track. He was purchased as a yearling by his owner Colin Pocock, who previously owned Peachy with us. He was not the biggest foals and his nickname was ‘Tiddles,' hence his name Captain Tidds. In his novice hurdle days, he unfortunately came down going well at the third last at Exeter and in the process, fractured his orbit around his right eye and thus now when you look at him head on, he looks like Gordon Brown at the dispatch box. However luckily Captain Tidds is far more popular and certainly has a better sense of humour. It wouldn't be hard would it!

1st February , 2010

The blog is difficult to do at the weekends as they are very busy with lots of visitors. So apologies to our faithful readers if you missed us. If you are an insomniac, you can always read Kim Baileys.

Saturday morning we had some people who had bought a morning on the gallops for the excellent Starlight charity. Most people end up with this prize due to a lack of knowledge and too much alcohol but they were a real fun group and we look forward to them coming back again.

The previous evening I was kindly invited to dinner by David and Ellie Simons who live in Cheltenham . Amongst the guests was the excellent Mike Cattermole and ex actress Fiona Fullerton. Fiona is now a property journalist and anyone of my era would certainly have Fiona in their top three. It made Cattermole's evening that he sat next to her and discussed her career, which he seemed to know more about than the final furlong of the 2009 Champion Hurdle. Luckily I was sat opposite Fiona which helped her stay awake.

There was much hilarity in the conversation and I look forward to returning the favour to the Simons very shortly. David has bought a share in Tiger line and I am sure she will be a winner by the look of her hurdling debut last week.

On Saturday with Doncaster off and the ground being desperate at Uttoxeter, we only had one runner on Saturday and Ballykelly jumped brilliantly first time over fences but on that ground it was only a matter of time before Warren called it a day. Over three miles in the spring, he will be back on the winning trail.

I went to Cheltenham to over see Lucky Sunny who was entered at the Brightwells Sale. The impressive bumper winner failed to reach his reserve and we will now syndicate within the yard to go hurdling.

Stop The Show ran at Plumpton yesterday and Warren Marston reported he was outpaced around that track and we will now try a further distance. He certainly seems to be coming down the handicap and it will only be a matter of time before he gets his head in front.

Our American contingent arrived yesterday afternoon, Eustace and Carol Theodore and Karen Anderson. They are over to watch Good For Blue run at Kempton today, so with the meeting being abandoned, it shows that once again forward planning is a hard thing to do when it comes to racing horses. All three are responsible for my gradually recovery from technophobia and currently own Good For Blue, Crackerjac Boy and a share in Tiger Line. We also have some other projects, including the purchase of two yearlings at Keeneland Sales last year with who we share the ownership with Adlestrop Club members, Oliver and Amanda Langdale.

Which brings us onto today's horse in focus, Crackerjac Boy. This five year old was purchased at the Saratoga sale in September 2006. It was my first visit to an American sale and one of the reasons for buying him was that unusually for Americans, they do not have a love affair with American flat racing and we thought it would be an interesting project to buy a potential bumper horse in their country of residence..

His sire Catienus, was trained by John Gosden and won over a mile and a quarter at Windsor on good to soft ground as a three year old, before being transferred to race in America . At the time of Crackerjac Boy's purchase, Catienus was not successful as a sire but we are pleased to report his career appears to be going the right way. When we first bought him he was around 14.2hh and he has now turned into a 16.2hh chasing type, who will hopefully make his bumper debut in March. He has certainly pleased us in his work and it would be great to get our project off to a winning start.

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JANUARY 2010