16th May 2017

Arctic Sword ran at Whitfield on Sunday on horrendous ground at no fault of the organizers. They had applied plenty of water only to get 10mm of rain prior to racing which turned the ground into every variable going description possible. We felt, given our policy of selling all our stores at the end of each season he had to take his chance and expected him to cope on the ground better than he did. He was due to go to Goffs UK May sale but will now be flipped into their August sale. He is a striking but weak looking individual with a great go about him. He’s way better than his run at the weekend would suggest. We will now run him in a bumper in a month’s time before going to sales. He really needs a summer on his back which will allow him time to fill his frame after which he will develop into a fine racehorse.

On Sunday morning we schooled Bhakti and Jester Jet over 8 hurdles, this morning they have set off on the road north to Perth. Both horses are up in the weights and in trip. If they travel and settle into the racecourse stables nicely they both have very live chances. We have put measures in place to do all we can to help them on their way and will by stopping near Carlisle. This will allow them to stretch their legs and have a pick of grass for an hour before completing the journey. I will follow them up the road in the morning.

David Minton and Willie Jenks were here yesterday casting their expert eyes over our stores, they seemed very taken by one in particular and were also complementary over another.

This morning we worked David John, Mcelligott, Midnight Monty and Colt Lightning. The babies fiddled around the fram or did a bit of flat work in the school, otherwsie quiet canters for the others.