Easy week

I have to say the week's break in the flat racing calendar was very welcome this week and although people working in the yards can't completely switch off as there are still horses to look after, it is nice to have seven days without worrying about any runners and nearly every jockey in the country made the most of it by leaving the country! There is a similar break planned for next spring before the turf season starts and I hope they do become a regular fixture in the calendar so we can plan around them.
As I said, you can't take your foot off the gas in the yard as there are still runners to keep healthy for the following week and we have two heading to the races in the next few days.

On Wednesday, Lily Bonnette will be at Kempton dropping back to 7f after showing good speed over a furlong further last time before running out of steam. Retirement beckons if she can't show a bit more on this occasion but there will be no excuses in the saddle as we have the excellent Hollie Doyle booked to ride.

The following day sees Big Bang racing at Chelmsford where he will be having his third career run and will then qualify for a handicap rating. He has found life tough in novice races so he is best watched until next time.

Although we are lucky to not see any of the horrific flooding people have had up north, it has still been pretty grim with nearly a whole week of rain. It was so bad on Thursday morning that I didn't have the heart to make the staff (or horses) ride out in it so they all enjoyed a day on the walker which I think they appreciated. Some of the the horses had galloped the day before so there was little point in getting them soaked just for a light exercise.
The yearlings have been getting plenty of work though and they seem to be thriving on it. The problem is trying not to do too much as it isn't even Christmas yet and they are already going nicely up the canter. It is definitely the nicest bunch of youngsters we have had in many years and hopefully they will do the business on the track next year.