I brought Little Brazilien and Skid Solo in from their winter vacations yesterday, both covered in mud but otherwise in good weight. Next in will be George and Timelord, so we can get them all moving more or less together. We are about a month behind where I’d like to be because of the weather, but everyone is having the same problem, so this spring will be a contest to see which trainers can be the most patient in bringing their horses along. At least we have some ready for action. DerringBay is likely to go back to Lyon on Wednesday, and Turfani will be entered for a handicap in Deauville a week from Saturday, but I’m not sure she will run. It’s 2,400 meters, and I’d prefer 2,000, but the conditions are good, so we’ll enter and I’ll decide next week whether to go for it. Belle is still on track for a March 13 start, and Versaki is likely for March 11 in Deauville. Versaki, Bay, Belle and Turfani will all work tomorrow, providing the tempest currently blowing through Maisons-Laffitte leaves us a track to work on…
Good for old Skid! When do you expect him to be in racing condition? His dam Amaniy is close to foaling – she’s one of the few mares in foal to Ramonti, and his yearling half sister by Dark Angel is doing well and should be a nice horse come sale time. All the best with Skid this year.
Hi Pippa! Skid looks pretty good, actually, and he won’t take long to get ready. I’d say end-April for racing, but it depends on the ground. I thought he would go on anything last year, but I was wrong. I don’t think I will bother with heavy going this year and just wait for good ground. After the hellish winter, who knows what kind of spring/summer we can look forward to.