Growling at Greatwood

This title seems a little more apt than Sleepless in Seattle, because although we are sleepless (but clearly not in Seattle) we are a bit growly. We were all set yesterday to turn twenty two of the horses out. Following days of sunshine, the heavens opened and although Greg our vet was all set to go, we couldn't, in the end, get the horses out into the fields. We had really hung onto this, everyone here is very tired, Becky can't wait until she has enough time to get to a chiropractor (mucking out fifty odd stables each morning takes its toll upon the most stalwart).
So, we will have to wait until the weather clears up a bit.
We could, of course, have taken the opportunity earlier, if we hadn't just fertilised the land and had our time taken up with organising and running the race day at Newbury.
Talking about the raceday: It was the most beautiful weather and it was great that the guests could enjoy their drinks in the early spring sunshine prior to the lunch and the auction. We are immensely grateful to Ladbrokes for their sponsorship and of course Blue Square, without their support we would have had great difficulty in making the day such a success.
Alice Plunkett was terific in taking up the cudgel as MC as well as Chair of the committee. The committee were extremely pro-active in organising and achieving not only guests but also fabulous auction lots. Mick Fitzgerald gave us an informed run down of the racecard, and Kim Bailey and Henry Hannon entertained everyone with their version of Heads and Tails....their version being the opposite of the usual, resulting in a certain amount of bafflement. It was funny, and kicked off the day brilliantly. Luke Harvey ran the auction quickly, efficiently and with his usual great humour, so all in all it was a really fabulous day, achieving a spectacular sum which given the current clime was no mean feat.
Dantari won the Blue Square Supports Greatwood Juvenile Novices Handicap, trained by Evan Williams and ridden by Paul Moloney (also one of Mick's tips). Despite Dantari being penalised for winning at Fontwell six days earlier it was only he and Rory Boy who fought it out at the last.
The Ladbrokes supporting Greatwood race was won by Oliver Sherwood's Lyes Green with Dominic Elsworth on board...Oliver won this race last year, so it will be interesting to see if he can make it a hat trick next year.
It has been, as usual, busy at Greatwood, counting and banking the money was time consuming (but rewarding), the thank you letters seem to be taking an age to complete and meanwhile I have to write the quarterly newsletter to our friends to get out in time for Easter.
The only one blot is perhaps the plight of the new rescued colt, we are having a real job getting him up to speed after his preivous malnourishment. Let's hope Doctor Green will make a difference.