Tuesday 24th August
Ocean of Peace is due to run this Friday at Bath - 1m 3f - slightly further than ideal but we have no choice - no other races suitable till end of September. He is in good form at home and hoping the ground will not be too slow.
Penric went to Newton Abbott to run over fences - 3m 2f. Unfortunately the heavens opened on the way down there and the ground became very slow! He jumped really well considering the ground and his jockey was delighted with him.
The race at Salisbury with Dualagi did not go to plan - draw and slow early pace did not help her.
Thursday 12th August
Dualagi runs today at Salisbury with a 6lb penalty but she is due to to go up 7lb for her win at Folkestone - therefore we have to run today. A more competitive race today with a disappointing draw but she is in good form - with a jockey who has won on her (Fergus Sweeney). If she can settle in the race as she did at Folkestone she should go very close! Watch this space.........
Ocean of Peace was disappointing at Wolverhampton - Monday. Broke out of the stalls on an awkward - sideways jump loosing 10 lengths, looked like he was going to get back up with the leaders 4 furlongs from home but having to come so wide on a slow surface was never going to help him get into the winners enclosure - the distance he lost at the start was the distance he finished behind the winner!! Back in at end of the week - better break - hopefully.
Friday 6th August
Dualagi has had so much bad luck this year with one thing and another but yesterday she finally got her head in front - WINNING easily by 1 3/4 lengths at Folkestone. She also won the best turned out for the race - Kirsten always tries so hard to turn the horses out to the highest standards.
We have now had 4 WINNERS from our last 12 runners - may the good results continue - our Team all work so hard with long hours - we are so pleased for them - Happy staff = Happy horses.
Kirsten has applied for her apprentice license but she has to wait a little while as the next course is not till October. Meanwhile she is riding in Arab Races to gain even more experience.
Zac Baker has left school (only seems like yesterday he was 14!) - joins us full time in September. He has applied for his amateur license to ride on the flat - keeping him sharp for his rides Point to Pointing this Winter.
Boldinor ran back at Leicester after his win but unfortunately the ground was too loose for him - next run will be end of August. Penric was travelling well in his race at Worcester until he unseated his jockey half way in back straight with 5 hurdles to go - one of those silly mistakes and the jockey had no chance of staying on. Since then has had his back looked at - took a fair belt through his body from the french hurdle - twist in his back but our physio is more than happy with him now. Runs a week Sunday at Southwell.
Winter horses have just come back in - all on the walker now for a month.
Friday 16th July
Boldinor does it again - wins the apprentice race at Leicester - his 3rd win of the year - ridden by young Ryan Powell - rode to orders with a positive attitude. We have been on holiday in Spain so Kirsten has been in charge - keeping the horses 'ticking over' and organising entries/jockeys - what a great job she has done.
Spaceman and Penric run next week - hoping Spaceman gets in (36 entries and only 14 run!). Last week Penric found the ground possibly too soft at Worcester - has come back sound and well.
We had a fantastic holiday with Luke Harvey and Emily Jones in Spain - just a week of relaxation in the sun. The atmosphere was fantastic on the evening that Spain won the World Cup - fireworks - flags flying and cars tooting till 3am!
Friday 2nd July
Kirsten's who works for us had her first ever race in public at Leicester riding her own horse, Sam's Cross. They both completed safe and sound in what was a fast and furious 5 furlongs. Kirsten coped really well keeping focused and remembering everything she had been taught.
Thursday 24 June
Kirsten is very excited today as she has her first ride under rules at Leicester in a ladies amateur race on Sam's Cross. Good luck today from all of us.
At Brighton on Tuesday 22nd we had two runners in the same race - Dualagi and Boldinor. Both with really good chances but Boldinor had a little more weight than when he ran previously (won) and he had a "bad" wide outside draw. Dualagi however had a good draw and had the services of George Baker. Boldinor had to travel so wide throughout the race but did manage to finish 2 3/4 lengths behind the winner whilst Dualagi nearly got brought down 4f out, right on the rail, then 1f out hit a wall of horses and had to take a pull but when she did get through was only beaten 1 3/4 lengths!!!
Monday 21st June
Fantastic news - Ocean of Peace WINNER at Lingfield under the professional Luke Morris. A positive ride given to Ocean of Peace who gamely held on to win by 3/4 length. A drop back in trip again but on the all weather this time.
Head Down (a good looking horse, knee operated on when trained by Richard Hannon) ran at Warwick in an apprentice race last week with the visor on for the first time. He finished 6th looking like being placed a furlong out - a much improved run but still more to work on. We will hopefully get him back to winning ways in due course.
Monday 7th June
Well done Boldinor WINNER at Brighton yesterday ridden by the talented David Probert at 25-1. Why he was that price is quite a shock to us but he proved them wrong. He was quite naughty in the stalls again - a rear as the gates were opening but thinking about it the race was run at quite a furious pace so it probably helped his situation - coming from behind and not his usual front running tactics?
Dualagi also ran in the same race but was so so unlucky - no room for her to make her run from 2 furlongs out to inside the last half a furlong - only beaten 3 lengths by Boldinor! As quoted in the Racing Post this morning "Dualagi reported to have banged her head in the stalls when at Chepstow last time, got no run at all from over 1f out. She looked to be going strongly at the time and it's no exaggeration to say she might even have won with a better run in the race. On a good mark, she's one to keep in mind."
Lets hope Dualagi is not going over the top and needing a holiday - hopefully we can find a similar race back at Brighton. This Summer is looking quiet for us as most of the horses are now on their holidays. They look fantastic out in the fields and thoroughly enjoying their time off - Will all be back in their work on the walker at the end of July.
Friday 21st May
Sorry for not keeping up with the blog but I have had a few minor problems with the computer!
Penric ran a great race at Worcester on Wednesday finishing 5th over hurdles - first run for us and had not been on the track for nearly 900 days. Well ridden by young 7lb amateur Lucy Barry - she was full of confidence and the old boy thoroughly enjoyed his come back!
Looking forward to Ocean of Peace running on Sunday at Bath - probably the fastest ground he has ever run on but he moves like he wants good to firm.
Sunday 25th April
Dualagi was 3rd at Wolverhampton last week with Fergus Sweeney on board - ran a great race and if she had not had a wall of horses in front of her a furlong out she would have been 2nd - hoping to go back to Bath to win her race again! Since Dualagi running well and Lopinot winning on the 7th the last three runners have run very badly - various excuses but they will need to improve significantly on their next run.
So good to see some sun - the horses are enjoying being turned out.
Thursday 8th April
Lopinot has been in great form all winter and Wednesday he got his head in front WINNING under a masterful ride by George Baker. Thats his fourth win at Lingfield and his 7th win to date. Navene ran at Ffos Las on Tuesday - her first run for us since bleeding in a race last summer for Chris Wall. She had a terrible draw - on the outer, ran too free for the first 3 furlongs being held up in a slowly run race. Her jockey said that she was disappointed by the pace and hold up tactics and feels that we should make more use of her next time. Hoping for a better draw next run and up with the leaders with more pace........ We have all worked so hard to keep her relaxed at home and looking so well - lets hope she is not worrying about the bleeding last summer!
Monday 29th March
It was great to be back at Newbury - a favourite of mine and Sarah's (we both had a winners there when we were riding and it was our local track. We ran Spaceman with Anthony Freeman taking 7lb off in a handicap hurdle. The ground was supposed to be soft (good to soft in places) but as I walked the course one could see quite clearly the heavy patches and not many good to soft areas. Spaceman has form on similar ground so we had to go ahead and run (not that I think he wants it quite that soft!) He ran a much improve race with a handicap mark still to high when he's had two years off the track. Hopefully the handicapper will be kind to him.
Kathleen Kennet ran at Lingfield today finishing 5th at 50-1. She ran a great race having to stay wide due to her bad draw. We also ran Lopinot who finished 4th at Lingfield - only beaten about 2 lengths. Lopinot could not get any cover and almost ran too free using too much fuel at mid way!! Running well - just needing a little luck - good draws needed please.........
Friday 12th March
A much better week with the runners - Lopinot finished 2nd beaten 1 3/4 lengths at Lingfield and Abfabfong finished an encouraging 4th only beaten 3 1/2 lengths over hurdles at Ffos Las. However, Nathan Dee did not enjoy his outing at Fontwell and has now been retired from racing under rules - has a lovely home to go to as a riding horse/pointer to pointer.
Friday 5th March
Been very frustrating lately with a few of the runners - At Wolverhampton we ran Weybridge Light who finished a disappointing 6th. He appears to be a little quiet in himself since the run so a blood test has been taken - At Kempton last week we ran Boldinor who got struck into from behind and Dualagi who was drawn on the outside (worse draw you could have) - could not get any cover so ran too free.
Fine Ruler ran no race at all but seems to be 'over the top' - peaked and needs a holiday - has been on the go for a while now but has been running well all season. Kathleen Kennet looked too slow and unwilling in her race so was quite a mystery to us. However her blood test shows why she ran poorly (had been viral before she came to us and has a secondary infection - now on the easy with a 'pick me up' of aloe vera, yoghurt and a little sunshine (when we get it!)
Friday 19th February
We were all very pleased with Ocean of Peace last night at Kempton - 3rd but only beaten 1/4 length which was actually a head and a short head - a very exciting 'head bobbing' finish. There was no pace at all in the race and we were held up in the last trio with the winner and the second just in front of us - Turning into the straight Ocean of Peace was given a very polished ride by Holly Hall and took the shortest route up the far rail, a little traffic on the way while the winner and the second had a clear run on the outside. In the final 2 furlongs we made a lot of ground up but if the gap on the inside had opened up sooner would we have won ? - we think so! All down to the pace of the race......... as normal!
At the end of the day Ocean of Peace finished the best we have seen him so all our hard work is hopefully paying off - well done team......
Tuesday 16th February
Been a busy week at home and with runners - Boldinor was our champion last week WINNING at Kempton with the consistent George Baker back on board. Another great ride given by George - front running tactics paid off and Boldinor loved every minute of the race - pricking his ears as he soldiered up front.
Weybridge Light ran another consistent race finishing 3rd back at Wolverhampton - possibly would have been closer if he could have taken up the running 4 out. Tactics were to make more use of him!
We were very disappointed with Nathan Dee at Kempton - stopped too quickly having traveled and jumped well. Did take a fair blow to his leg and a little sore - whether this stopped him we are not sure yet! Abfabfong ran a better race at Hereford but still frustrating - just needs to get a little braver on possibly better ground. All the jockeys who ride him are positive about him in every way. Spaceman was disappointing yesterday at Plumpton being pulled up two out. We had left off his usual head gear and he had been off the course for 2 years but we were still disappointed with his run - did expect to complete at least. He did have a good blow after but recovered very quickly so he was plenty fit enough. Head gear next for him and hoping the handicapper has been sensible.
Monday 8th February
Lopinot finished 2nd at Lingfield in an apprentice race ridden by Andrew Hefferman. The winner has since won again over shorter so the form is fairly solid. Kathleen Kennet ran the same day at Kempton finishing 7th of 14 - a disappointing run but there are a few excuses - hampered just after start, then taken wide, went from 3rd last to up behind the leaders in a few strides and then hung left across the course! An important factor with regard to this run was that she did run quickly after her 2nd at Wolverhampton - had to run as the handicapper has put her up 7lb for her 2nd.
Monday 1st February
Poor Nathan Dee - Kempton abandoned - still not getting a run yet again!!!! - every time we make a declaration for him, the meeting is abandoned due to frost, snow and waterlogging - when he did get a chance to run he got kicked at the start and had to be withdrawn by the vet! - He has to be a winner when he does eventually get to run - luck always comes round........
Lopinot goes to Lingfield and Kathleen to Kempton on Wednesday - both in good form.
Thursday 28th January
Well done Kathleen Kennet at Wolverhampton - 2nd at 66-1 - another stride and she would have won !! They went no gallop early on in the race so a decent pace next time and she should go one better....... A genuine and straight forward mare with a lovely long galloping stride - likes a little TLC but then all ladies appreciate a bit of attention! Hopefully the handicapper will not be too harsh on her - hope he remembers she is 10 years of age!
At the same meeting we ran Weybridge Light who ran a super race too - finishing 4th in a competitive handicap without the usual blinkers. This was his first run since we injected his joints so watching him move so well and confidently in the race was very pleasing.... Fergus Sweeney who rode him was delighted with him too. He has since come out of the race sound and has eaten all his food.
Dualagi finished 6th of 13 at Southwell on her first run back after a break - not an ideal track for her but was worth another try there for her - would have to go further with her if we consider going back there again. Lopinot 4th at Lingfield - should have been at least 2nd but tactics did not go to plan and poor Fine Ruler drawn in another county had no chance from there - can right that race off!
Abfabfong ran yesterday on the flat - finished out the back. We were all very disappointed with him as he had been improving at home from week to week and looks so well in himself. Will have to try further still and probably best over hurdles but the ground still too soft for him at moment.
Bob's Sister ran at Towcester (Sunday) in an amateur race ridden by Dale Peters (who works for us) having his first ride over hurdles. Unfortunately the ground was too testing for her and Dale pulled her up two from home. She will now have a break until we get some good ground - back in a seller.
Wednesday 20th January
The ground at Folkestone for Silver Prophet was like a dough - tacky, deep and dead - Silver Prophet hated it! He got himself further and further behind and in the end Anthony had no choice but to pull him up. Half an hour after the race he was bright and energetic! At the end of the day we were not sure he would go on the heavy ground but he has old form on good/soft but this was extreme!
We have a few new arrivals - Weybridge Light and Kathleen Kennet. Weybridge Light has been trained in Ireland but his last three runs have been with us - the BHA allow Irish Trainers to run their horses from a UK stable for a period of 90 days. The owners live locally and it made sense to stay in the UK - we are very thankful to the owners for letting him stay with us - the little horse is as honest and hardy as any you would train. Kathleen Kennet is now 10 but young at heart! A super moving horse with a big stride - should have won before now - another who appears to be honest and hardy. Worked really well today - first proper gallop since she arrived.
Wednesday 13th January
Could not believe we could get any more snow - this morning we had another 2 inches! Lopinot was due to go to Lingfield but that was abandoned this morning - he had a fair chance today.... never mind another race in nine days.... We have an ideal race for Silver Prophet at Folkestone on the 19th January for jockeys who have not ridden more than 20 winners - Anthony Freeman will be able to ride in the race - amazing that someone with his experience and talent has not ridden 20 yet - hopefully snow will have gone by then?
Thursday 7th January
I am sure you all have as much snow as we do! All good fun when it first arrives but then it becomes a little tiresome, especially when this is second time around for us in just four weeks! However, the horses are enjoying the white stuff - only had one day off due to lack of salt for the ice. We are so lucky to have the indoor school and a great gallop.
Runners last week were so unlucky - Lopinot only beaten 3/4 length into 3rd and Fine Ruler in the same race only beaten 2 1/2 lengths finishing 4th. They both had to come from behind in the final 2 furlongs and the winner and second had already gone for home. A very rough race with not much early pace - hence a lot of bunching up and the first two sprinting away in the home straight! Our two certainly like running against each other! Please, please BHA put some races on for them - they are wanting to go out again very soon and there's not much opportunity for them.
Abfabfong ran an encouraging race at Warwick finishing 5th at 100/1 on ground too soft for him. Confidence is his main demon and if we can combat that he is a horse who is well handicapped.
Friday 1st January 2010
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL OF US AT BOWSTRIDGE FARM.
