It's fair to say we have definitely seen the last of the summer weather after a wet and windy week in Newmarket. All the grass gallops have been closed to save the ground and this weeks Cambridgeshire meeting at the racecourse was victim to a huge amount of non- runners. The cold weather has started to descend too with a couple of bracing mornings on the gallops this week. However, this time of year also sees the yearlings begin their training to be broken in. All three of our yearlings so far have taken really well to the process and seem straightforward, it won't be long before they have riders on their backs and it is always an exciting time seeing them progress through the winter. 

Our only runner this week was Smokey Malone at Southwell on Thursday. He was returning to the track after three months off and although we thought he would need the run, he ran really well to the line to finish third. He will hopefully now stay in that grade and when he is on song he is a great yardstick in those races. 

With all the rain we have had there have been plenty of abandoned meetings and we are anxious to find out if Windsor's Monday card will be on as we have two good chances. Both Stintino Sunset and Fen Tiger take each other on in the 1m 4f handicap. They have been in cracking form and should each be in with a winning chance. 

We look to have a busy night on Thursday at Chelmsford with four runners. Grand Duchess Olga has had a little break and although she loves conditions she may well need her first run for fitness. Silver Shamrock and Leon Trotsky both run in the 1m 2f selling handicap. They each have ability and should be competitive at a track they have run well at before. Queen's Company has a switch to the all- weather as she will be without her preferred ground on the turf for a while. She has run well on polytrack without winning and has been training well at home. 

Three to follow leader board:
Ian Maxwell 53
Ross Carson 51
Malcolm Roper 45
Rick & Barry Palmer 41
Rodney Gleed 41
Stuart Barnfield 40
Dillys Tucker 40
Julia Feilden 38
Simon Scull 37
Dave Allaway 36

​Pictures of the week

It has been a fairly quiet week on the yard over the last few days, with just two runners on Tuesday at Brighton. Corporate Raider gave it a good go from the front and looked the winner at the 1f pole, but ultimately after getting squeezed he decided he'd had enough and gave his usual all or nothing. He is beginning to become well handicapped again and providing he can find some firm ground before the season ends he may well come back to form. Heer's Sadie also ran at Brighton and with a slow pace and being short of room in the finish she finished 5th although not beaten far. 

Next week looks unsettled weather wise. We have Spanish Mane and Queen's Company declared to run at Leicester tomorrow but they have got an inspection for 3.30pm today after all the rain they have had, which doesn't look promising and will not be to either of their liking.

Smokey Malone comes back from a short break on Thursday at Southwell. He has been working well at home, although I would have liked to get a couple more gallops into him before he runs, it does look a weak race at a track he loves. 

We had a glimpse into the future on Friday this week as Shelley begins plans to join me on the licence in January. We had a media company come in and film a promotional video for the yard with the horses donning the new Birkett Racing attire and some of you may have seen the new sign at the top of the driveway. It is still early days and Shelley has plenty of hoops to jump through before we can become joint trainers and it is something I will keep everyone updated on nearer the time.

Three to follow leader board:
Ian Maxwell 53
Ross Carson 51
Malcolm Roper 45
Rick & Barry Palmer 41
Rodney Gleed 41
Stuart Barnfield 40
Dillys Tucker 40
Julia Feilden 38
Simon Scull 37
Dave Allaway 36

The week in pictures