Eve Johnson Houghton

I feel like we are really back in the swing of it again.  Nearly all the horses are back in and cantering and its only 5 weeks to the start of the flat.  Its particularly busy at this time of year as you are trying to get all the horses fit at the same time and everything needs to go for a canter every day.  When the season is up and running, there are always some horses that have just run or are having a break, so you don’t have as many to get ridden.  In February and March its all hands to the pumps and everyone is riding out 3 lots.  Brian (assistant), William (head lad), Me (actually only 2 lots this morning) and when she gets back from holiday, Mum will be on at least 2!

Next Monday are the Stud & Stable Staff awards sponsored by Godolphin.  This year William Reddy, my long serving and at times long suffering head lad, has made it into the top 3.  He and his partner Janet are going up on Sunday night where he will have an interview and then they will be wined and dined along with the other finalists and put up in the Jumeirah Carlton Hotel.  I will then join them for a fabulous lunch, where hopefully, fingers crossed William will gets his award.  Hats off to Godolphin for not only sponsoring this event but for looking after all the finalists so well.  I will let you know on Tuesday how he gets on.

Lovat Lane runs at Kempton for what could be her last time.  Having won a race, running for the tuppence halfpenny that is on offer for her low grade races, gives nobody any great joy, so we are going to be looking for a new home and a new job for her after that.  Roodle is running in a listed race at Lingfield on Saturday.  It may well be too good for her, but we are hoping to nick a bit of black type before she goes to visit Bahamian Bounty.