Category: Updates from the yard

It’s been a tough week. Shinko ran only 9th in the Tierce, and he was the best performer of my three runners this past week. He did run decently and didn’t get beaten too badly, which proves he is, indeed, to high in the weights and needs to come down to win. He’ll run another handicap in early February, and he still seems to be doing fine. Blessing Belle, on the other hand, was highly disappointing on Saturday. She had a great entry against bad horses, and spit the bit coming into the stretch. We know she’s not a very honest horse, so we’ll just try to find a few more races for her to see if she comes around. There’s nothing really wrong with her except that she is a victim of her hormones, and we have to get her on the right day. A pair of blinkers will help, too. I’ve decided to send George home because I need his box for Strictly Rhythm, who will run next Monday. I really wanted to give her a chance to settle in for a couple of days before we ask her to race, and since George was eliminated for Thursday and is unlikely to find a race in the next few weeks, he was the best candidate to go back. I really would have liked to give him another race or two here, but the box situation made it impossible. I keep asking for more space, and it was suggested that a bottle of something might help free up a box, but I couldn’t wait any longer (and there wasn’t an open liquor store at hand). I will need to find a bottle of Scotch in the next few days, though, because Turfani needs to come down, too.

Strictly Rhythm will be our next horse out, and Belle is entered in a claimer that day, too, and will run if she gets in. Then Turfani on Feb. 2, and Shinko on Feb. 5 if everything goes right. Word is that a trotter was diagnosed with the flu, which has sent a scare through the stables. More than a few horses are coughing around us, and Shinko has coughed a few times, too. It seems that horrible-quality straw is to blame (let’s hope), and I am switching all my horses onto shavings tomorrow. They’re also getting plenty of carrots and echinacea drops to bolster their immune systems. That nice afternoon sun has to help, too.

Things are finally starting to sort themselves out here. Still very much like living out of a suitcase, but that can’t be helped when your saddle room is the size of a broom closet and the hay and straw are stacked outside the boxes.

In addition to the trotters today, Shinko and Belle were faced with a storm that blew threw just as we hit the track. It started with lightening and thunder, then hail, then a downpour. By the time we got off the track, they seemed less bothered about the trotters. George, on the other hand, is completely traumatized by them and by life in general. I still don’t know if he’ll get into the handicap next week; I’ll know more on Saturday. We’ll ride him out tomorrow, if we can get him past the trotter yard (he plants himself every time he sees one).

Shinko runs the Tierce tomorrow; not a single prognosticator has given him a ghost of a chance, which is fine by me. The first question all the reporters asked me was whether I thought he was fairly placed in the handicap. I answered no, he’s not; he’s at least two kilos too high. So they assumed that I was running just to pull him and get the weight down, which is most certainly not the case. He is here to try to make money, and he will be asked to run his best tomorrow. But the reporters didn’t bother to ask that question. “Journalism hippique” in France is pretty dismal, over all.

Belle is in on Saturday, and I have to say her race seems to consist of the most dismal group of bloodstock ever to grace a racecourse, which makes it an absolutely wonderful entry. If she is on form at all, she should be in with a chance.

It’s been a hectic and frustrating day, with Spidello running the Tierce and George in the claimer right after it. Neither horse ran particularly well, although Spidello did better than George, who was very disappointing. George was extremely stressed before the race and our jockey said the horse’s muscles were contracted tight as cement behind the starting gate. He broke well and settled second on the rail, but had no acceleration in the straight. It’s very disappointing because he’s worked very well at home, and he needed to take a check so he could get into back into the handicaps. He is re-entered in a handicap next week, and if by chance he can get in (they’d have to split the race like they did this time and I don’t know if we’ll be so lucky twice), he’ll stay and race. If it looks like he will be eliminated, I’ll send him home and bring down Strictly Rhythm, who is set to race the 31st.

I’m still feeling a bit lost, but I’m finding out how things work little by little, and in a few more days I’ll have it sorted, I think. I rode Belle out this morning with our jockey, Fabien, on Shinko, and that did me a world of good because he gave me the orientation tour of the tracks. Fabien will ride Shinko in the Tierce on Friday, so it’s great that he can ride the work leading up to it as well. Both horses handled the environment OK, all things considered. Shinko is not a great fan of the TGV train that passes just behind the track, and as I suspected, neither horse was keen on the trotters. We were unlucky crossing the tracks leading back to the stable this morning because just at the moment we were leaving, sulkies seem to come at us from all sides. The horses whipped around toward each other and almost knocked heads trying to run away. We got them headed in the right direction eventually and had to settle for leaving the tracks at a collected dressage canter rather than walking, but nobody was hurt, which is the essential. Tomorrow will be calmer with no racing, and Friday we just have Shinko. Belle races Saturday.

I’m really disappointed in my ability to learn and retain good lessons. After riding three lots at home in Maisons-Laffitte yesterday, packing half the yard, myself and Prof and spending nearly nine hours driving south, what I really wanted at midnight last night was a drink. One. Seb, I and Prof headed over to Le Concorde, the bar across from the racetrack backside that is the favorite haunt of trainers, jockeys and hangers-on. At first we were turned away for being too late, but Seb talked us in, and once they realized we were here for the meeting, we were welcomed with open arms. We sat in the back, behind a table populated by a jockey I use from time to time, the bar owner, a trainer who was slumped over in his chair after too much celebrating, a decorative blond and a few other people we didn’t know (and I’ll refrain from saying who the jockey and trainer were). We had a drink. Then we had another one. Midway through the third round, there was a scuffle up front, and the entire table next to us emptied with lightning speed, especially considering how much alcohol was already consumed (except for the trainer, who remained blissfully oblivious to the bar fight and his surroundings in general). It was all over pretty quickly, and by that time I realized it was more than past time to be in bed. So the lesson I never learn is don’t start drinking after an exhaustively long day, no matter how tempting it is. Because this morning was quite a struggle.

Finding our boxes through the fog of a hangover was a surrealistic experience. Cagnes reminds me somewhat of the backside at Santa Anita, except it is more spread out, the boxes are nicer and there are no expensive vet vehicles parked at every barn. And then there are the trotters. At least half the boxes are given over to trotting horses, who share the meeting with us. They have a track dedicated to them, but in the morning, sulkies and galloping horses must cross paths to get to where they’re going. I’m not sure how my horses are going to handle this, but I have a pretty good idea. Not well.

The horses didn’t arrive until just after 11, mercifully, but we had to get the boxes ready for them first, and once they arrived we had to pull everyone’s shipping wraps, make sure there were no transport-related injuries and get them settled in with hay and water. Then we had to unload the truck: 15 sacks of feed, one bran, two trunks full of equipment, water buckets, forks, broom…and yes, thanks to Louise, Florence, Diana, Tim and Chantal for getting it all ON the truck in the first place. All of the horses seemed to travel well. With the exception of Shinko, they are all off their feed slightly, but that’s normal considering they’ve been shipped cross country and are in unfamiliar surroundings. I was off my feed slightly, too, but I seem to be back on track now. Prof is definitely not off his feed, and he’s figuring things out pretty well for an old guy. He likes the backside, but he’s not wild about the fact that the beach is stony rather than sandy.

Tomorrow, George races his claimer at 2,000 meters on the fibersand. I’m hoping for a place so he can get himself back over the earnings threshold and requalify for handicaps. Spidello, the horse we’re looking after for another trainer, is declared in the Tierce, but he came off the truck with some swelling in a leg so we’ll have to see how he is before going ahead. But first, tomorrow morning we’ll have to introduce Belle and Shinko to the trotters.

Two saddles, two bridles – no three. Exercise sheets. Feed. More feed. Vitamins. George’s special plant treatment for his ulcers. Belle’s herbal hormone treatment. Carrots. Pitch fork, broom, water buckets. Racing tack. Hoof grease, bandages, silks, passports. And that’s just for the horses. Then there’s Prof – blanket, food, heart medication, collar, leash (the last two he hasn’t had to deal with in years). And me. Clothes. Work clothes, racing clothes, sweaters, riding boots, work shoes, running shoes (I live in hope). Contact lenses, oh, and my computer. And my horrible, horrible new phone.

If those of you have traveled with small children think it’s a hassle, imagine packing for three 500-kilogram babies (plus Prof who weighs in at 26 k) whose needs can change day by day. Cagnes sur Mer is 1,000 kilometers across the country, so if you forget something, it’s hard to go back and get it. The best way to get there is to fly, of course; the Nice airport is within spitting distance of the racecourse. But if you’ve got cargo, you’ve got to drive. Sebastian and I are heading down in his car (with Prof) tomorrow, hopefully around noon (those of you who know me can laugh now – and bet on the time we actually pull out of Maisons-Laffitte). Before we can go, I have to pack up the horse gear (can’t do it yet, because I have to ride three tomorrow before we leave) and throw the last-minute stuff into my own suitcase. The horses, and as much gear and feed as the STH will let us pack into the transport, will leave tomorrow night.

None of this would be that big of a deal, except that this is the first time I’ve decamped half my yard across country to do the meeting. Trainers who have done it for years have a system, and bigger yards have more staff and money than I do to make sure it all gets done. Getting through the next 48 hours will be the hardest, then we’ll settle in and get to work – and see what we forgot to bring.

It looks like George will get a run on Wednesday, thankfully, because they’re splitting his claimer into two races. I’m also looking after another horse, Spidello, for the meeting, and he also runs Wednesday. Hi Shinko is double-entered for Friday, and I’m most likely to run him in the Tierce at 1,500 meters. But that race is on the turf, and it depends on the ground. I’ve also got him in a 1,600-meter condition race on the fibersand. Then Blessing Belle will run in a 2,400-meter handicap on the fibersand on Saturday. The distance and category will suit her better than her comeback race, so we’ll take this one a little more seriously. All of this depends, of course, on how they handle the trip down and settle in. Shinko will spend a good part of the ride kicking the truck to pieces, which is why I haven’t replaced his hind shoes. Instead, we’ll wrap up his feet and hope he doesn’t do too much damage to himself or others, then get new shoes on him before he races. Watch this space…

Belle’s “rentree” went OK yesterday, but not more than that. She handled herself well, breaking nicely and settling about fifth for most of the trip, but she was hung out four wide after our jockey couldn’t find any place to tuck her in. She accelerated a bit in the stretch but not more, and she practically put the brakes on after she got a smack to go. The jockey stopped riding about 150 meters from home, so she trailed off. I do get annoyed when jockeys don’t ride to the post, even if there is no chance for a check. I’d like to see the horse get a good work, at least, instead of a bad lesson. There’s no need to hit them if there is no response and no chance, but they should at least encourage them with heels and hands to the wire. I wasn’t expecting too much more from this race, and Belle hardly blew after. The distance of 1,900 meters is too short and she needed the race after more than six months off. She seems to have come back fine physically, but as usual the race completely did her head in, and she spent the day wheeling and squealing in her box, kicking the walls and throwing in a rear now and then for good measure. She ate up last night but wasn’t interested in food today, but this is pretty normal for her. We’ll get her out tomorrow and see how she feels. If she gets back on her feed and settles down a bit, she’ll run back rather quickly down in Cagnes sur Mer in a 2,400 meter handicap that will be more to her liking. It’s a short, 10-day turnaround, but we have to kick on with her now and see if she wants to be a racehorse or not.

Belle’s stablemate Rendition came back into training today; the Oratorio filly was turned out for a couple of months after having sore shins, and she seems in good shape now. She will work with another new filly, Rue Debelleyme (I still haven’t decided how that’s pronounced) who arrived today. She is a three-year-old Slickly filly who has come in from pre-training but hasn’t yet raced.

For the moment, the list for Cagnes is Shinko, Belle and George; Turfani will stay behind for the moment to be a schoolmaster for Rendition and Rue, and Strictly Rhythm, who has started her speed work, will also stay behind for now. Both Strictly Rhythm and Turfani will come down if I can find boxes for them once I get there. If not, we’ll have to rotate them in and send other horses home. It’s very frustrating not to be able to take them all, but boxes are at a premium and I’m already lucky to have three. Plenty of other, bigger trainers didn’t get boxes or only got three, as well. Since I haven’t done the meeting before, planning for what to take and exactly when to make the move has been a challenge. I’ll try to post a sort of “Cagnes diary” on the blog as we go along – assuming I can make my computer work down there.

Turfani ran 4th in Deauville on Friday, finally getting to stretch her legs for the first time in three months. She was beaten three lengths and missed third by a head. She has come back well, and I’ll keep going with her through Cagnes before she retires to breeding.

On Tuesday, Blessing Belle makes her long-awaited return. She hasn’t run since May, because she turned over in her box and broke three vertebra in her withers. She has come back bigger and, it seems, stronger, if still a bit loopy in the head, so it will be interesting to see how she handles a return to racing. I’m just hoping she runs respectably and comes back ready for more, because she’ll go to Cagnes, too, along with George, who is in great form at the moment but can’t get into a race because he hasn’t earned enough. I’m hoping we’ll find something for him in Cagnes. Hi Shinko will go, too, and I’m spending the week trying to get organized for the trip, which seems to be quite an expedition. More on that soon.

Hi Shinko got caught up in a speed duel in Deauville yesterday, and both he and his rival ended up losers. The last time out, Shinko was able to take the lead and then slow the race down, keeping something in the tank to finish. This time, he went flat-out with another horse who tried to employ the same tactics. One of the jockeys should have been smart enough to pull back, but it didn’t work out that way and 100 meters from home, both leaders were spent. The time of the race was the fastest of the day at 1 minute, 28.1 seconds, and it was one of the fastest times on that course. Unfortunate, because I definitely expected to bring home money yesterday (which I do realize one should never expect in this game). A couple of other factors may have played into the race. I noticed when I was saddling Shinko that he was actually a bit fat. We have not been able to work properly since his last race because of the weather, and twice he was stuck in his box for a few days because it was too dangerous to go out. That also necessitated a feeding change, of course, so I think he was too fresh and fat for this race (hindsight is always 20/20). He’s come home fine, hardly blew after the race, ate up everything and is ready to go to Cagnes, where his next race should be on the turf – something I also think he will appreciate better than the fibersand, which maybe isn’t quite his cup of tea.

Next up: Turfani finally gets a run (I hope!) on Friday. She seems to have kept her form despite the weather – in any case, she is certainly not fat. Let’s see what happens.

Some of you may have already stumbled upon this, but we have updated the Gallop France web site over the New Year weekend. There were some glitches along the way, but most of it seems to work now. The site is basically the same, but the pictures are updated and so is the all-important “horses available” page. There is still some fine-tuning to be done and some additions to be made, but have a look around and tell us what you think.

We’re going to try to get off to a good start tomorrow with Hi Shinko in the second half of the Tierce. There is a saying in French racing: “Une chute appelle un gagnant,” or “A fall calls a winner,” meaning that if a rider comes off the horse, the horse has a win coming. Shinko already has a few notches carved into the door of his stall, the most recent being today, when he chucked off brave Florence. It’s time for him to start paying us back. He’s not tipped by the prognosticators, so maybe I’m overestimating his chances, but I think he should be in the first three. Watch this space…

Timelord was a very silly pony indeed yesterday when he backed away from another horse and managed to open a sewer drain cover and then fall right into it. He is very lucky to be alive today, if feeling quite sorry for himself. It all stated down on the all-weather track, where we have no choice but to go given the frozen ground everywhere else. Horses tend to get over-excited down there (see some earlier posts), and the fireworks started yesterday when everyone had to wait for the tractor to finish harrowing the track. There weren’t too many horses around when we arrived, but like badly managed airport security, no one was turning away horses at the main gate and the numbers started to pile up by the time the tractor was finished. Adding to that, we had a potentially explosive combination of horses – Hi Shinko, George and Timelord. When a horse decided to cross in front of Timelord to come into the holding area, he started to mess around and back up like a quarter horse, and none of us even knew that drain was there. It was tucked into the grass in the middle of the trotting ring, and in backing up Timelord slid the manhole cover off and then went in with his other back leg. In the next instant, he got himself back out; I called to Seb to jump off and to another trainer on the ground to call a vet because I was fearing the worst. For a horrible second or two, Timelord didn’t put the injured leg down, but then he did and walked a few steps, and we all let our breath out in a sigh of relief. There was plenty of blood, but it looked like there were no fractures. Our other horses, meanwhile, were putting on a rodeo; we had to get on with it or we would have more injuries. Seb hand-walked Timelord home and George and Shinko were able to do their work and let off a little steam.

Unfortunately, this means time off for Timelord. He’ll be in the box for 10 days or so – he has stitches in various places, sterile bandages that need changing and injections of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. Then he’ll be going off to Normandy rather than going down to Cagnes-sur-Mer. France Galop has agreed to pay the vet fees and have put a mountain of sand over the sewer cap, so at least no other unfortunate horse will manage to do the same thing.

Timelord’s misfortune caps a year of freakish problems with my horses, and I’m very much looking forward to turning the page on 2010 and starting anew in 2011. New Year’s Day has always been one of my favorite holidays, and this year I think it has risen to the top of my list. The weather and the resulting disruption for the horses has been tough on all trainers, so I’m not alone, but I’m certainly ready for a change of luck. I end the year with 4 wins and 17 places from 71 starts, which is not as good as 2009 and not nearly as good as I had hoped. I will prefer to think of this one in percentages; 29.5 percent of starters in the money seems not quite so bad to me, even if it’s down from 34.4 percent in 2009.

So we’ll start again. Hi Shinko will be my first runner of 2011, running the second half of the Tierce in Deauville on Monday. Hope springs eternal.