Welcome to my weekly diary with kwiff! I’ll hopefully give a greater insight into what it’s like to be a racehorse trainer, from our stables in Malton, North Yorkshire with me Ruth Jefferson.
Daily Routine
The guys at kwiff were pretty surprised to hear just how early the alarm is set for, but we are up early here with us starting work at 5.45am. The early bird catches the worm! It’s a busy time too, there’s normally six to ride in a morning as well as feeding and mucking out. It’s often not the most glamorous of jobs, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
There’s normally lots going on, and so it’s hard to try and catch the afternoon’s racing but it’s difficult, although I am likely to make an exception next week! I know a lot of people think that it’s long hours and tough graft, but to us it’s just work. There’s a quiet few hours in the afternoon between morning lots and evening stables, but it’s not really the Spanish type of weather so the siesta remains on hold.
Weekend Racing
I am a big fan of Sandown’s Imperial Cup card tomorrow, and always have my eye drawn to the EBF Final race in particular. You tend to get really nice horses in this race, and horses that tend to be more than a bit useful. Paul Nicholls’ McFabulous won the race a few years back, and I’ve always kept an eye out on him as he is a half-brother to our former stable star Waiting Patiently.
If you go through the list of previous winners, the likes of Beauport, Beshabar, Ambion Wood etc; the race normally produces horses that will go over fences next season. I can see why there’s plenty of support for Jonjo’s Hasthing who looks a great prospect for JP and should be much better than this mark of 119. I think he got the handicapper on a good day!
There’s no runners for us this weekend and Sagonige (pronounced sa-gon-i-ge by us up north) won’t be making her intended engagement on Tuesday at Sedgefield. She made a winning debut there earlier in the season and is a lovely horse for the yard, but she has had a couple of niggles and won’t be ready.
The changeable weather makes ground conditions tougher and horses are more likely to pull muscles. The wet and warm weather helps the bugs grow, and makes infections worse.
Constitution Hill
I’m guessing Constitution Hill probably had something similar, and was struggline with for a while now, and it didn’t really become evident until that gallop at Kempton. As mentioned before, the weather won’t have helped and it’s really disappointing for all involved. Racing needs horses to catch the attention of the public, and he has definitely done that.
I was asked about Constitution Hill missing The Champion Hurdle and if it constituted a disappointing season earlier in the week – like life begins and ends at Cheltenham. As soon as he crossed the line last year, people were providing prices for the race this year and talking like he’d already won it. They’re horses, not machines, and it shows just how difficult it is to keep them sound.
If he goes to Aintree and wins (The Aintree Hurdle) and Punchestown would it be a good season? I’d say yes, but others would argue no because he hasn’t won at Cheltenham.
Cheltenham
Good luck to all those heading down next week, and fingers crossed for a northern winner. I’d love a winner there myself one day! I’ll be doing daily previews with kwiff every morning, so here’s hoping I can steer you onto a couple of winners!
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