Tuesday 28 June 2011

George Baker Blog: Hotter Than Hanoi...


It is hotter than Hanoi out there. A sultry start to the week. Warm enough yesterday. Set to be warmer today....



Saturday. Pressing a few buttons with the 2-year-olds. The bedrock for next year. Hopefully a Belgian Bill or three amongst them. Those that have run have pleased us. Giving us a guage as to what we have left to unleash.....

Jeremy and Julia Minchin, along with daughter Sophie, here to meet Sweet Ophelia. The Shamardal 2-year-old that they have a share in. Poor Jeremy had a desperate hang-gliding accident in the Himalayas in the spring. Walking wounded, having thrown his crutches away the day before. Unconscious for several days, with a catalogue of injuries. Lucky, from the tales he told, still to be with us....


After the horses had worked, one of our "planning" meetings. Plans for the 2-year-olds. And others. June has been a little quiet. Which, after a frantic May, we knew it would be. But July looking busy already. I hope....


A gorgeous day yesterday. Barbecue weather. So that is what we did. A happy gathering....


Having watched Kings Ciel run another solid race at Salisbury. The Sims family's homebred from over the hill at Cranborne. Not as regally bred as some in the race yesterday, but showing again that it is not all about an expensive pedigree. The winner looking pretty good. But KC ("Bertie") leading the field a merry dance before fading close home. 4th again. But giving much hope that this particular racing fairytale can have a happy ending.....


Aidan O'Brien doing it again in The Irish Derby. The first three home. Remarkable....


To Windsor tonight. Poker Hospital and Glyn Ceiriog. If the day turns out to be as warm as forecast, we will ensure they get to the course as late as possible. The wooden stables are not exactly well air-conditioned. And will be pretty hot tonight. Not the ideal place to be stabled for 3 hours before a race.....