19/03/23

With flat racing having a break this week coming, we have a week without any runners but that doesn't mean we've been having an easy time. The new turf season is just two weeks away and the squad are in full flight at home as they build their fitness for the new campaign.

You know things are heating up when the grass gallops in Newmarket open and we were lucky enough to get the horses on the green stuff this weekend as the flat gallop opened for the first time since last autumn. With all the rain we've had recently, it was pretty soft which suited some horses but not others. It's good to learn this now though so we know what optimum conditions are for each horse this year.

Spring is a time for fresh starts but we sadly had to retire one of our stable stalwarts recently when Engrave developed a tendon issue which needed a year off the track to heal but, at the age of seven and after winning six races for us, we thought the fairest thing to do would be to retire her from racing with the aim of breeding from her. She is currently undergoing tests to see if we can have her covered in the coming weeks and hopefully it won't be long before there is a baby Engrave in the yard.