So another week of fitness training and not much racing. Jimlis Island came out of his race very well but I decided against Cartmel as it was going to be heavy ground ( unlike Redcar with g – firm! ). So he will go to Perth on the 9th for the Girsonfield Racing Club over hurdles this time, as no chases, and it will be good to see how he is over hurdles. Quite a few horses on the yard will mix and match at the beginning of the season till we assess where their strengths lie.

I took Johnny Dogs, who was retired due to back issues, to the E and O laboratories – where he will be a blood donor to make blood products throughout the world ( human ones ). He is turned out in massive fields in a herd – I had already had offers of him for him but sadly we sold one as a companion for £500 and the very next week she was offered for sale at 2K – unscrupulous people. So the Blood Donor route is a good one for unsound horses – the last horse we took there was put down 3 weeks ago age 30!

Staff – as some of you know we have had a couple of accidents and two of the younger staff member off injured – the Sunday Staff stepped into the breach and the girls will be back soon. We also have employed Bekah Duffy – yes that’s Joshs sister and we have now employed all of the family at some stage – Lewis is now a Stallion handler in Australia and Josh is, as you know, our head lad. Not bad 3/3 in equine jobs from one house in Otterburn and no background apart from coming here when they were 12! Or was it 16 lol.

Apache Angel was retired and will be sold as a riding horse as he looks the part but as his jockey said ‘ there is not one inch of ‘I want to be a racehorse’ in him! Rogers Dream did much better coming in 4th under a very positive ride from Raul Da Silva. – I hope all the Otterburn Racing Club enjoyed their time with her – she now moves, just till the end of the season, to the Naughty but Nice Syndicate. Meanwhile I believe Mike, Chris and Nick are hatching a new plot for the Otterburn Racing Club! Watch this space…

Whispering Dancer has a new Partnership just setting up with a maximum of 8 members – we have 2 shares left 10% = £1000.00 plus £200.00 per month. He is 17.3 and half bro to Different Gravey a 160 rated horse won won 70K for Nicky Henderson!

The yard is now gearing up for our second Open Day on the 7th September – for National Racehorse week. A day with demos from our Farrier, Vets, Chiro and Physio. The staff will be riding on the gallops so much different to our owners day. By the way we have sent 1K to the childrens hospice, 1k to Injured jocks and we have 1400 still growing with Nathan Moscrop, our yard jumps Jockey, Elizabeth Goodfellow, The Gledsons and Andreas’ donation from Tropic all coming in. What a brilliant result thanks again to all! Owners do not need to book in and are very welcome to come, bring friends, and see ALL the parts of the team that work together ( 10.30 – 3.00 )to make the yard successful.

The Season Ahead – I cannot tell you a horse that I do not have confidence in to win races this season. A few young ones who will take a race or two but on the whole a very exciting season ahead!

Thanks for the support as ever!

Susan: email:girsonfield@outlook.com Tel: 7713651215

No racing this week – soon be a list!

Photo: Johnny Dogs joins new friends as a blood donor

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regards Chris