THE meeting at Chepstow is often seen as the start to the jumps season and while we still did have some good racing, there were plenty of non-runners, including my intended weekend runners at the track because of the ground.

On Friday I sponsored a race and enjoyed hosting 30 guests in a box for the afternoon. We had two runners in the race I sponsored and while Old Bridge ran his race, Activist proved a little disappointing, travelling into the race very strongly and looking the winner two out, only to stop relatively quickly.

Bashful Boy ran well for a long way in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket on Saturday. He travelled enthusiastically, close to the pace for the majority of the race but ultimately those that raced up there initially did get tired in the closing stages. He was not beaten very far at all, only twelve lengths, in eleventh place and it was another good run. He loves his racing and will be winning on the level very soon.

It is a quiet start to the week for the team with our earliest runners going to be on Thursday at Ffos Las. Order of the Dance could make his stable debut in the 2m4f handicap hurdle. Placed in Ireland when trained by the late Edward O’Grady, he has settled in well since arriving and it will be good to get him started if the ground is suitable. Pachacuti does have an entry in the staying chase on the card but will probably wait for another day.

On Friday, we have entries at Uttoxeter with Purple Owl entered in the novice’s hurdle, which would be his hurdling debut while First Lord Du Cuet has an entry in the staying handicap chase on the card. At the weekend, we have entries at Newton Abbot and Kempton so keep checking the Daily News on the website for latest news on the stable runners. My weatherman tells me that more significant rainfall is due by the end of the month so fingers crossed it comes!

The end of October is a busy time in the sales ring with plenty of different sales coming up. Jack Pipe is very excited that his half term school break means he is available to go to Doncaster and Cheltenham Sales next week and Newmarket Horses in Training sales the following week!

On Sunday, we spent the afternoon going through the Goffs Doncaster Sales, which is next Tuesday, 21st October, and includes the dispersal of many of the Roger Brookhouse owned horses. Following racing at Cheltenham on Friday, 24th October, there is Tattersalls sale at the track, which is a dispersal sale of all of the David Maxwell owned horses. There are seventeen lots going under the hammer and while I imagine many of the existing trainers who train his horses will be hoping to buy them back, if they like them, there are both young horses with exciting potential and older handicapper types who could be more value for money.

We are hoping to add to our team in the coming week from these sales so if anyone is interested in becoming an owner, or would like simply more information about the sales coming up, please do get in touch, email: [email protected].