As we emerge after a very busy fortnight lambing, we can reflect on the past few weeks. Lambing is always a busy time for us however as the farm is so wet, all of the horses are still in plus the cows and once the sheep started lambing, we were extremely full. The sheep were prolific with their timing and the majority have lambed over the past two weeks and we can now see daylight at the end of the tunnel. The horses have been on flying form since Cheltenham, Stormy Flight, Leissieres Express, Bampton Star, Joe Cotton, Bonza Boy, Rollo's Kingdom and Came From Nowhere have all managed to get t ..read more

We are still on Cloud 9 after yesterday, Golden Ace pulled one out of the bag to beat the Irish in the Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle. She is un beaten over hurdles and looks an extremely smart prospect for the future, however we are just enjoying the moment. We have been overwhelmed by the messages of congratulations and will endeavour to get back to each and every one of you. The reception in the paddock was unreal and we thank each and every one of your chanting 'Jezza, Jezza, Jezza' Lorcan gave her a hugely confident and patient ride, and should accept the plaudits that will be thrown his ..read more

The start of 2024 hasn't gone too badly...3 winners from 3 runners, it won't last but we enjoy it whilst it does!! Leissieres Express kicked off the year by winning at Exeter in what can only be described as a mud bath! He has not been the most straightforward to work out, he has bled in the past and now goes out in the field over night, every night. He also has to be led around at the races from the moment he arrives as he stresses as soon as he is in the stable. We have now (hopefully) puzzled him out and will happily play his games to ensure he is at his best on the racecourse. It was fanta ..read more

Pilsdon Pen loves Wincanton, he won on his handicap hurdle debut at 80-1 in 2022 and returned to the winners enclosure here over fences. He is a big horse who started his career on the flat for Joe Tuite but has come into his own over obstacles. Fair Dinkum is not the biggest in stature, however he has a long stride and used it to good effect when stepping up in trip to 2 miles at Lingfield to break his maiden tag. Liam Keniry gave him a positive ride which he enjoyed and hopefully there are more races to be won with him on the flat this winter and next summer. Bought by Georgina and Mel Smith ..read more

As I write, we are just catching our breath after a busy weekend! We hosted an Open Afternoon as part of National Racehorse Week where we welcomed over 150 people into the yard on a beautiful sunny day. We were fortunate to have Leah Cunliffe back to do an equine dental demonstration as well as Oliver Gilchrist to talk through the life of a farrier and shoeing horses and Piers Wilmott to do a Physio demonstration. We have had great feedback from all of these and there were huge crowds listening to their every word! We opened up our Lorry and showed off all of our racing tack and gear which t ..read more

We have enjoyed a great summer with lots of sunshine, the staff have been busy pressure washing and painting, our long standing sponsors, Brendon Powerwashers produce some brilliant machines which are well used at this time of year! The horses have had an easy time out in the field, enjoying their holidays and there now slowly returning to work, and like the team, refreshed and ready to go. We have had five in racing this summer, three runners tomorrow, Tikkinthebox and Phoenix Risen head to Newton Abbot whist Kings Castle runs at Wolverhampton. Tikkinthebox had very few races available to him ..read more

As Celtic Art was our final runner of the 2022/23 season, he brings our National Hunt season to a close. With only 18 winner, it has been frustrating with the ground and weather however it has also been our biggest earning season in terms of prize money, the team won over £360,000 in prize money! Our biggest earner is clearly Dashel Drasher, who only won one race, however finished second in three Grade 2s: The Many Clouds, The Relkeel and The Cleeve Hurdle. He also finished second in the Grade 1 Stayers Hurdle! We count our biggest win this season as our successful appeal against his demotion ..read more

This week we have lost The Queen, the only head of state I have know within my lifetime and her death has touch many. She was an admirable woman, whose love and passion of horses and of horse racing was evident. My Grandfather was commissioner of the metropolitan police when she became Queen and rode in front of her carriage during the parade of her coronation, 70 years ago. Georgina has worked for two of her trainers and was privileged to saddle Forth Bridge when he won the Silver Plate at Kempton on behalf of Charlie Longsdon for The Queen. These are only a few moments our family has brushed ..read more

The Injured Jockeys Fund released the following statement regarding Matt Griffiths yesterday afternoon: There was a fatal car accident yesterday near Exford on Exmoor. National Hunt jockey Matt Griffiths was involved in this and having been taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol is now in a stable but critical condition. His family have asked for privacy at this difficult time. Our thoughts are firmly with Matt and his family ..read more

This time of year is always very quiet with the horses, the staff and horses are enjoying their holidays and we only have four horses in work! This break enables us to catch up on all the jobs that pile up over the winter including resurfacing the ring and farming! The well known saying of making hay whilst the sun shines! Since the last update, we have had two winners. Keltus won his second hunter chase of the year at the hunter chase meeting at Stratford for his pilot Charlie O'Shea. Finn Muirhead celebrated his first point to point winner on The Mulcair at Bratton Down, it is surely the fir ..read more