Malapropism - New Arrival

Malapropism
2000 chesnut gelding
Compton Place – Miss Malaprop (Night Shift (USA)
154 starts 14 wins 37 places (flat).
We were asked if we could help this horse by finding him a good, safe and secure home. He had been at livery nearby and was greatly loved and looked after but his owner wanted to feel that he could have a second career. We looked up his form and were astounded. I have only ever come across one horse that could even try to measure up to his number of runs, and that was Montendre with 104. We popped over to the yard to see him and I have to say I was expecting a sharp little flat horse, and he was quite the opposite. He was standing in a stable with his head buried in his hay net, a hen was pecking around his feet and he hardly looked up when went in. This was not a case of being shut away he is clearly well balanced and well adjusted and not at at all like Monty who spent most of his time on his hind legs when we led him anywhere. Mally came in and took everything in his stride and didn’t bat an eyelid when he saw a goose fly past with Mable the Unstable (our Jack Russell) firmly attached to its tail.
We have taken in some more new horses - details to follow

All Change

Sue has come in at least once every week since she has supposedly been off on maternity leave. When she came in last week I gave her the unenviable task of deciding when we should start to turn the horses out. After some puzzlement, worry about a ridge of low pressure,and concern that the temperatures may drop, she decided upon Thursday of last week. The younger fitter (and naughtier) horses went out first. We always ask our vet to come in to sedate them a little beforehand (it saves injuries caused by over exuberance at their sudden taste of freedom after the winter). We decided that Jack (Wild Colonial Boy) and Fundamental should join the younger crowd because although it is unlikely that they can be rehomed they are a little too boisterous to go back in with our old boys. We also turned out half of the girls and it all went extremely well; Zero and Luca had their first taste of being in the herd and Zero was a bit of a scary cat and stuck to Luca like glue in case he lost him in amongst the others. We just had to turn out Deano's, he had already spotted something was up when all the rugs came off and headcollars had begun to be put on, he is funny, he knew immediately it was all change and began kicking out at his box in his anxiety to go out. Everyone is quite relieved that there isn't quite such a lot of mucking out to do although we are expecting some new horses in over the next few days.
Jenny McGregor MBE, an old friend of ours, (founder of SWHP) had been featured highlighting the plight of some 1800 horses that had been left in a pretty shocking way. I had asked her if we could help and she told me that she had a pretty little mare called Dee Cee Elle and it would be terrific if she could free up some space and would we take her in? So Ellie has come in and settled and has made friends with Poppy. We have also taken in a smart little gelding called Tritonville Lodge and I rather hope that given a little bit of time we shall be in a position to bring them into work with a view to finding good homes for them. I'll post some pictures up in due course.

Saturday the 5th March

Michael Yeadon & John McCririck
Six whole months of planning finally came to a conclusion on Saturday. We had spent most of Friday afternoon packing up the cars, so that we could arrive in good time at Newbury the following morning. It really is astonishing as to how much stuff you need to prepare and take..... tables, cloths, chairs and posters, let alone all the auction lots and silent auction boards. We had to pick up enough tartlets to serve to nearly 300 guests as well as take all wine. We arrived at Newbury just before 9 to set up what has now become our major fundraising day for the year. I have been blessed with a terrific committee and we have achieved sponsors for all the races. All sorts of people very kindly and generously offered some stupendous lots for us to auction and Jenny McCririck has been absolutely amazing in sourcing many prizes.
The pavilion at Newbury was full, and nearly 270 people sat down for lunch. Steve Styles, a great friend of Bill Simpson, ran the auction with dear Henry Hannon jumping up now and again to cajole people to bid more. Henry and Kim Bailey conducted their extremely popular and amusing version of Heads & Tails, this is something that is gaining in popularity each year and is not only great fun but also a pretty good fundraiser. I think everyone enjoyed themselves and have already started to book their tickets for next year!
Ravastree ran 6 out of 8 in the fifth race, he dropped in at the rear 3 out, he is still young and he may only run once again before being put away for next season.
The only slight downside to the day was the sad loss of two horses and our sympathy goes to all the connections.