 |
THE HIGH CROSSETT CHRONICLE
THE LATEST HAPPENINGS AT HIGH CROSSETT © 2001
Geoffrey M Sanderson |
|
07 August 2003 Geoff Sanderson |
Quixall's site
has been offline for several months - but now it's back! We've
decided to archive the site as a tribute to the old lad. Please take
a few minutes to sign our guestbook. I would still love to hear from
any Quixall fans - especially if you have news or updates about him. I have been keeping extremely busy and in a few weeks, you'll find a link on this site that will take you to my new website, where you can find out exactly what I've been up to. |
|
3rd February '02 |
It seems quite
a while since we had any "Latest News" with which to update Quixall's
site. There have been, however, several pieces in the "Racing Post"
recently concerning Quixall and his stable mates (the most significant of
which are now in our "Press Cuttings" section.)
In summary, the Post has reported that the RSPCA has voiced its concern over Quixall's welfare and that the Jockey Club has warned Ted that his horses' performances on the racecourse must improve or else his permit to train will not be renewed in September of this year. I find this a very sad situation. The welfare of the High Crossett horses is always paramount on Ted and Joy's agenda. Theirs are happy, contented racehorses. Their welfare is not in doubt. The fact that certain horses they have in their care are now completing races is a testament to their patience and skill, as they were prepared to take on some difficult cases on which others had given up. The articles quote John Maxse, the public relations director of the Jockey Club, as saying that Ted is not "maintaining the standard expected" of trainers. I am deeply saddened that a trainer of 30 years standing, who has never
once been asked to appear before the Stewards of the Jockey Club in all
of that time, now finds himself in this position. Personally, I have nothing
but respect for trainers who keep their charges sound and in love with
racing for season after season. That for me is the essence of National
Hunt racing. |
| 15
December 2001 Jeremy Grayson |
Given the calibre
of much of their opposition, Castle Stephen and Clavering were never going
to be that competitive in their respective heats at Doncaster today, but
in light of events concerning the High Crossett set-up this week, two finishes
in relative proximity to everything else would have been acceptable. Trigger
was, alas, beaten out of sight in 15th and last place; missing the break
when the tapes went up won't have helped. He did jump pretty soundly, though.
At least he finished - unfortunately Clavering chose the televised novices'
chase to register his first non-completion of the season. In his defence
the race seemed to be run at a hot pace, such that half of those still standing
pulled up four from home, him included. Still, not exactly what connections
would have wanted.
Potential compensation awaits for Clavvers on Thursday, as he is one
of 29 entered in a very soft maiden chase over 2m 3f at Catterick. If
I'm honest, I'd sooner Ted and Joy focused on the more realistic challenges
of these sort of races for the time being, even though they prefer the
big tracks with big fences where their horses actually learn a bit more
about jumping (albeit often some way behind their opponents). Not that
I have any say in the matter, you understand… I think Catterick can
cope with around 20 horses contesting its steeplechases, so not many will
have to come out if - as seems standard at present - Clavvers is once
again first on the balloting-out list. |
| 01
December 2001 Jeremy Grayson |
Disappointment
for the Caines as neither Triona's Hope nor Clavering failed to sparkle
at Newcastle on Monday. Trio was one of a slew of runners to get stuck in
the mud in the handicap chase and pulled up tamely under Paddy Aspell. In
identical predicaments throughout last season - better opponents, unsuitable
conditions underfoot - he still always plugged on to complete, so is this
the first sign that, rising thirteen, the years are finally beginning to
catch up with him? Let's see what his next run brings. Clavvers, meanwhile,
was unable to get any fluency to his jumping on ground he loathed, but John
was nevertheless able to get him home last of seven to complete. The big
plus here was that he came through his first attempt at beyond two miles
this season, and so long as the ground didn't pull him around too much he
ought to be found more suitable opportunities before too long.
This seems as good a point as any to congratulate Ginger McCain on his success in the Becher Chase with Amberleigh House last Sunday. Geoff may have mentioned on these pages in the past that his initial foray into racing was under the auspices of Ginger during the 1970s, and he was present at Wetherby on the day in October 1977 when Red Rum - being prepared for an ultimately aborted attempt at winning the Grand National again - took on a horse called Swanky Guide trained by one E M Caine! If both men only knew then… Congrats also to frequent High Crossett pilot Gary Lyons who gave No Retreat a tremendous ride in that race and got a win for Mr Bevis at Bangor yesterday. Well done too to Kevin Prendergast, who seemed to vanish from race riding following a few runs for Ted two years ago (a coincidence, surely!), but popped up again with a win for Andy Streeter in a Uttoxeter bumper recently - only his second or third ever victory, I think. Finally for now, is anyone out there planning on voting for Quixall Crossett as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year? Check the adverts on the Beeb or visit the website (www.bbc.co.uk/sport). Go on - for what else do you pay your licence fee? |
| 23rd
November 2001 Jeremy Grayson |
No sooner were the words spoken than Ted entered some more horses! Triona's Hope and Clavering both hold two engagements at Newcastle this Monday, November 26th. Those of you up to speed with the Caines' life story may be a little surprised at the choice, given that their son Malcolm was killed on this date seven years ago. It also happens to be the same day as my birthday - a coincidence for sure, but one which has unsettled me for as long as I've known of it given my interest in all things High Crossett. The races themselves are a 0-90 Class F 3m handicap chase (22 entries)
and a 2m 4f Class E novices' chase (25 entries). Newcastle can |
| 18th
November 2001 Jeremy Grayson |
Dearie me, owd
Quixall Crossett is becoming a bit of a naughty boy again in his old age.
His 103rd run at Ayr on Sunday ended with him emulating his Wetherby feat
of dispatching his rider five fences from home; never before has he unseated
in successive races. Unlike at Wetherby, he tried to refuse before removing
his pilot, so this hardly counts as a jumping error-induced spill in the
conventional sense. Indeed, his jumping was very sound indeed when compared
to that of most of his rivals, and it was the bits inbetween - that'll be
the running, then - that kept him at the back of the field. Whatever, Ted
was right when he said Quixall didn't do a tap in the race, and off the
back of two pleasing runs at Wetherby this was a disappointing showing.
Ted's interview in the Post implied more strongly than any before that Quixall's
retirement is imminent, though I wouldn't dare put words into his mouth
as how soon that will be! Suffice it to say, the horse has by all accounts
come back in A1 nick and will make at least one more visit to the racecourse
after a short break.
An aside; Ted claimed that Quixall only came along and ran because there were already a few other Crossetts running at Ayr. Really? Surely at least one of either Sally, Trio or Cloigeann Fridge could have been engaged were it merely a matter of filling his four-horse box! Not that it matters that much - Ted still got his four lots of appearance money, and Quixall ended up having a nice, slow, if slightly abridged jog round in the bracing western Scottish air. Quixall aside, it was a hugely encouraging afternoon's work for the Caines' charges. Trigger was allowed to run off in front this time under John in the novices' hurdle and was found wanting from about halfway, but his jumping held together much better than usual and he was rewarded with a career-best eleventh. Swiss also put in the performance of her life in the novices' chase, popping around nicely over Ayr's stiff fences and finishing fifth. It's only the fourth time she's completed the course for the Caines in seventeen attempts, but she's been unlucky on a few occasions. She would have got at least a place finish in a mares' race at Sedgefield last February but for a pile-up in front of her alarming her into unseating, and foot and mouth struck shortly after that to stop her enjoying her prefered soft ground any further. Here's hoping for better luck on all counts this term. As for Clavering, his first attempt back over fences since his fateful visit to Market Rasen nearly thirty months ago proved extremely satisfactory, beaten only 55 lengths by horses miles further up the handicap - and with more recent chasing experience - than him. Let's just hope there are no repercussions physically from the race, as he did enough to show he could quite adequately ply his trade during the winter at a slightly lower level than this Class C handicap (which, come to think of it, would mean the same calibre of races as first Howard Johnson and then Ted were running him in three years ago). Soft ground is an inconvenience for him, but the likes of Catterick or Doncaster ought to be able to offer him decent ground further into the winter than most tracks. And with that, Ted's Sunday campaign for the year has come to an end,
as nothing has been entered at Aintree this Sunday. Time for the Crossetts
to earn some win and place prizemoney now! There's scores of meetings
in the north of England over the coming weeks, so keep your eyes peeled
for further entries. Until such time as Kasakov and Carousel Crossett's
second child (the full sibling, of course, of the ill-starred Kin to Quixall)
makes its debut, and unless Monaughty Man finally consents to getting
himself fit again, the seven horses you've seen out so far this season
represent the Caines' entire string of raceable horses. All bar Sally
have had the benefit of at least one run within the last four weeks and
should really be able to do themselves justice on the track now they're
fully or near-fully race fit again. It ought to be a busy and exciting
run-up to Christmas from hereon in! |
| 15th
November 2001 Jeremy Grayson |
Ted has opted
to bypass the delights of Wetherby and Haydock this weekend in favour of
Ayr on Sunday. No great hardship, this, as Ayr has been one of the luckier
tracks for the Caines. Monaughty Man gained his sole win here in March 1995
(still the stable's most recent victory), Cavalier Crossett had a win and
a second place in two runs, and Quixall Crossett has jumped round four times
out of five. To be honest the races here on Sunday seem more realistic opportunities
than the big races at Haydock; no repeat performance for Quixall Crossett
in this year's Edward Hanmer, then!
Quixall IS however engaged at Ayr in what will be his 103rd race, a 0-110 novices' handicap over nearly 2m 6f. This is more the kind of race Ted had hoped he'd get for the Quixall Crossett Chase two runs ago, although a 0-90 race would have been even better! QC is in with 7st 6lb at present and still needs seven more horses to come out to get a run - fingers crossetted. I mean crossed. Other engagements are; 12.20 Class E novices' hurdle 2m - 34 declared, 20 maximum. Castle Stephen
is fourth on the balloting out list and thus needs ten rivals to drop
out. None of the races at Ayr are due to divide. Jockey plans are incomplete at present, suffice it to say that many of the most likely candidates such as Bernie Wharfe, M H Naughton and Gary Lyons will probably be needed at Haydock. John Barlow will definitely ride Swiss, and will also partner Trigger and Clavvers if they participate in their respective novices' hurdles. Alas, none of us here at quixall-crossett.co.uk will be at Ayr in person
to cheer them home, but a report of some description will still appear
early next week. |
|
5th November 2001
|
Oh, Quixall!!
Race number 102 for your favourite and mine last Friday ended a little sooner
than it ought to when Quixall Crossett had a touch of the Buckaroos five
fences from home. In actual fact it wasn't a particularly big spill; he
just drifted a bit to the left on approaching the fence, rapped the top
of it and pecked on landing, giving Bernie a pretty soft fall as falls go.
A pity, as Quixall was still only about half a dozen strides off the leading
group of horses at the time and may well have been able to profit had any
of those tired or tipped up in the home straight. It certainly wasn't the
performance of a horse no longer capable or willing, and I'd be amazed if
that's the last we've seen of him.
Detractors will point to the fact that this was the eighth time he has unseated in his career, but let us remind you that the last time was fourteen races ago and that most of his spills were a lot earlier on in his career. He's still only hit the deck five times (four falls, one brought down) in 102 races - that hardly makes him a risky proposition over fences. And whilst we're at it, could I PLEASE implore Simon Holt of Channel 4 Racing to read through this site thoroughly if he hasn't done so already - he may find it strangely absent of "the celebration of this horse's mediocrity… [which] is something the game can do without", as he put it. Neither we, nor the Caines, nor the vast majority of Quixall Crossett's true fans have ever bought into any of the he's-so-crap-he's-brilliant silliness Mr Holt suggested surrounds the horse. Ah well, at least he didn't declare this website dead like a certain pundit on Radio 5 Live last week… I digress. Saturday saw Ted and Joy run three horses in the same race for the first time ever in their long training careers; Clavvers, Trigger and Red all took part in the concluding novices' hurdle at Wetherby. Clavvers did best of the three, part of the main bunch throughout, and was one of about six or seven all to finish in a heap at the end. His eventual finishing position of tenth - only 40 lengths off the winner in what was, after all, a Class C race - was no disgrace. Trigger was not allowed to go off hell for leather as per usual and was never better placed than mid-division; this was probably to give him a bit more experience of having horses around him, and also to make sure he lasted home on this big, galloping track. His jumping was pretty mixed and he took at least one flight of hurdles sideways, but still finished fourteenth, beating home Gerry Kelly's Newryman (see also "Kelly's Heroes", a new site dedicated to Newryman, Waterfront and Mr Kelly's other appearance money hoovers, put together by Steve Parrot, late of this parish). Red, who looked a bit tubby even allowing for the fact she's a big mare anyway, blotted her copybook twice on her seasonal reappearance. She overshot the starting position and thus went on a furlong's excursion before the race, and was a well-beaten last when unseating Kahlil two hurdles from home. She's still to register a completion for the Caines over obstacles, but her season is still young and she'll do plenty better when 100% race fit. No declarations for the coming week by the looks of it. Wetherby a week
on Saturday and Haydock the day after seem the most likely meetings for
the Crossetts to reappear at next. |
|
30th October Jeremy Grayson |
Three finishers out of three for the Caines on Sunday, and none of them in last place either - very much mission accomplished. Trio ran as well as he could, but was always going to be outpaced reverting to hurdles for the first time in over three and a half years. His stamina didn't come into play either on what is among the very sharpest hurdles tracks in the country - it wouldn't have felt anything like two and a half miles to the runners. Trigger and Clavvers both finished 15th in their respective divisions of the maiden hurdle. For Trigger this represented a most noteworthy achievement - his first ever completion over regulation obstacles. He went off in front as per usual but not daftly so, John helping to set a pace that Trigger himself could live with until the field turned for home. He still doesn't convince entirely over his obstacles, but he's definitely getting the hang of racing and can only go on to better things from here. It was just great to see Clavvers back on the track after all his problems, and Bernie gave him a sensible reintroduction to the track. The horse seemed to cross the line a bit feelingly and Bernie dismounted soon after passing the post, but Ted has entered him at Wetherby this weekend, so there can't have been too much the matter with him - maybe just a little tired. To clavverfy - sorry, to CLARIFY, Clavvers is entered in the Class C novices' hurdle at Wetherby this coming Saturday, along with Trigger and Red (yep, Cloigeann Rua is back and ready for another season of being mispronounced by everyone!). Bernie is down to ride Clavvers and John Trigger; no riding plans for Red yet. The day before that, however, we might get to see the 102nd outing of your favourite and mine, QUIXALL CROSSETT, somewhat earlier than most of you (and certainly I) would have expected! He's one of just nine horses entered for a Class D novices' chase at Wetherby; presumably the propensity for these sort of races at Wetherby to cut up influenced Ted's decision to declare QC, and he may well be proved right once again here. Bear in mind, however, that there's no jockey booked, the ground is likely to be unfavourably soft, and the horse only ran a fortnight ago, so don't go booking Friday off to see him race just yet! PS Hello to the little lad (and his folks) I was standing next to in
front of the final hurdle at Aintree. For |
|
18th October Jeremy Grayson |
Well, defeat number 101 it is then! Quixall Crossett duly came home last of six finishers in "his" race at Wetherby; but a completion is a completion after all, and was something which three of his opponents couldn't manage. He looked an absolute picture before the race and went about his business in an altogether more focused manner than at Southwell. It probably helped that there weren't as many telly cameras bearing down on him the whole time! Bernie Wharfe gave him a super ride. Making sure Quixall didn't miss the break as per last time, Bernie let him go off in the lead as the tapes rose and he stayed there for the first two fences before the pack inevitably swallowed him up. He was already twenty lengths adrift and counting as they passed halfway but, as he did with Sally at Market Rasen, Bernie gave him a sympathetic but assertive ride to keep him to his task all the way down the back straight and past beaten / pulling-up horses as they turned for home. As is usually the case, QC was staying on better than most, albeit at the one pace, as the race neared its end and he might even have challenged for fifth place but for hitting the last, his only mistake in an otherwise immaculate display of straight, accurate jumping. In common with the Ton Run, he got the biggest cheer of the day as he passed the post, sportingly called home in sixth by commentator Martin Harris. After that, a little warming down session with Joy in front of his adoring fans whilst Ted addressed the media. He left the track fresh as a daisy, lapping up the public appreciation of his efforts. Quite where and when (and if!) he'll reappear is open to conjecture, but Ted's already mentioned in the press that another outing around Christmas is being penciled in - another crack at that novices' chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day, perhaps? More immediately, Ted's got three entered at Aintree this coming Sunday. Clavvers, Trigger and Trio all hold entries in both a 2m 4f novices' hurdle and a 2m 110yds maiden hurdle. However, whilst the 5-day fields aren't as big as at Huntingdon last month, when all of Ted's runners were balloted out, it'll still need quite a few to come out of each race. In the novices' hurdle, which currently has over 40 horses entered, Ted's threesome are first, second and fourth in the list of horses to be eliminated; insert your own conspiracy theories here, or else just write it off as appalling luck. John Barlow will ride Trigger whichever race he runs in. Given that Trigger really needs to start finishing races now, his preferred option would be the 2m race - this'll be the sharpest track he's ever tried since joining Ted, so if he does his front-running thing again, he ought to get round this time. Bernie Wharfe is jocked on Trio in the novices' race and Clavvers in the other, with riding plans left open for these two horses' other engagements. |
|
17th October 2001 Geoff Sanderson |
I have been overwhelmed by the response to the latest news. It would appear that my past writings did indeed convey my feelings about High Crossett life in general, and about Quixall in particular. “All good things must come to an end” is an unfortunate truism, entirely appropriate in this case. I had three and a half wonderful years with Mr. And Mrs. Caine. We had fun and lots of laughter along with all the hard work. Until one is actually involved with racehorses, one can have no idea of the amount of work which is necessary, behind the scenes, simply to prepare a horse for the race track, let alone that involved in the backing and schooling of young horses. It was indeed an education to see this done in such a sympathetic way and to see the trusting, willing response of the horses. Firstly, then, I would like to thank Mr. And Mrs. Caine for the privilege of sharing their world and their horses. This was a vital part of my recovery from illness. They showed me the same patience as they always show their horses. It was an incredible time and nothing will destroy the memories I have of being with them. I cannot thank them enough for that part of my life. “Thank you, Ted and Joy.” Secondly, I would like to thank Steve Parrott for his work on the website for the past year. Steve was the original designer of the site and maintained it with speed and accuracy. He has now stepped down to allow himself more time for the other sites he operates. The awards which were won by the site during its first year of operation are as much down to his efforts as to my ramblings at the keyboard. “Thank you, Steve.” Thirdly, what can I say about Jeremy? He has High Crossett stats coming out of his ears. Delivered with incredible humour, watch out for further additions to his “Grayson’s Column” shortly. “Thank you, Jeremy.” Fourthly, an incredible racehorse. He has achieved so little on the track, but so much off it. Quixall Crossett – my superstar. “Thank you, Quixall.” Last, but not least, Jane. Thank you for everything, darling. You have made my life complete. “Thank you, Janie.” |
| 15th October 2001 | I have received
many e-mails asking me why Quixall's site has not been updated recently.
OK. Cards on the table. It's time to come clean!!!
After Quixall's lack-lustre performance at Southwell in July, he spent the following week looking very sorry for himself in his box. He had really enjoyed all the pre-race attention, but ran an atrocious "race". I felt concern starting to grow inside me. I had never had post-race feelings like this before. I began to think that he had done enough for us. After all, he owes us nothing. Quite the contrary, the three of us owe him one hell of a lot. I voiced my feelings to two or three people, who encouraged me, whole-heartedly, to tell Ted how I felt. This I did on August 15th. at High Crossett Farm. My comments were not well received by Mr. Caine. He obviously thought that I had no right to an opinion on the matter, and certainly no right to question his judgement. His reply was swift, and very true to form. I like to think that I am gentleman enough not to repeat it on a family website.! Let me just say that, in a very direct way, I was invited to leave High Crossett Farm and not return. I gathered most of my tack and left immediately. Needless to say, the possible ramifications for my state of mental health were terrible. Fortunately, I had the support of incredible people. My partner, Jane, provided a soft shoulder to cry on when necessary, and also a swift boot up the backside when that was required and my two daughters, Lisa and Dawn, were very supportive. Last but not least, of course, your statsman Jeremy Grayson kept me smiling with his evil, extremely libellous e-mails. A concerted joint effort by these people kept my mind on the right side of the madness line, which I had twice previously crossed over. Personally speaking, I do now think that the time has come to retire Quixall Crossett. He has done us all proud for so long and there is no necessity to persevere with racing him. My conscience can no longer tolerate being involved. It hurts me so much. I really, really do miss being with him, as I do all the High Crossett horses, but subsequent telephone conversations, and a stable visit to pick up the remainder of my tack, show that the dust is failing to settle. The bubble has well and truly burst, and there is no hope of going back. My intention in writing this website was to share, with as many people as possible, my love of, and my relationship with this remarkable horse, who has achieved so little on the track and yet so much off it. That relationship is now to be denied me, and I have nothing further to share. No updates have been forthcoming since my departure. The website will remain on-line as a testament to a truly wonderful equine and the regard in which he is held by so many people. In closing, I would like to say the biggest "thank you" ever to a truly wonderful horse (and friend) who helped me to start living again. My love, gratitude and devotion to him will never die.
If you see me at a race meeting somewhere, please do stop me for a chat,
as
|
| 23rd July | Quixall
Crossett will make at least one more racecourse appearance before his retirement
to the fields surrounding High Crossett. Ted reckons that when he
went past the stands and got a round of applause his ears went up and he
thought he'd done enough.
He's sound as a bell this morning and he'll have a complete break for a bit before we start riding him out again. We have yet to make any plans for Quixall Crossett's next engagement. Yesterday, Quixall lost interest and if he doesn't show more the next time we run him we will think about retiring him. |
| 22nd July | 100 not out. The century was completed today at Southwell. Quixall is fine but watch the papers tomorrow.Thanks to everyone who came and supported Quixall - great to see friends old and new. A complete update will follow shortly |
| 20th July | Quixall runs in the 3.50 Ropewalk Chambers Maiden Chase (Class E) (Div Ii) at Southwell on Sunday 22nd July. There are 13 runners, over 3m 100yards? 100th time lucky? |
| 4th July |
LATEST DOINGS AT (AND AWAY FROM) HIGH CROSSETT FARM. Once again, apologies are called for regarding the lack of information posted on the website recently. This situation has been the result of changes in my personal situation. Unfortunately, Gill and I have decided to get divorced as our relationship had deteriorated to an unworkable level, and I have now moved out of the house and am living in a lovely flat in Thirsk. My two daughters have custody of the PC and so I can only get on-line when I return to Middlesbrough. This problem is being addressed, and I should be "live" again in a couple of weeks. I won't be lonely in Thirsk, as there is now a new lady in my life, whom I first met, appropriately enough, through Quixall's Fan Club. More of this scandal and gossip in due course!! (Better here than on the front page of the "News Of The World" or the "Racing Post"!!!!!!!!). RIGHT. Our next runners will be at Southwell on Sunday, July 22nd. This will include Quixall's 100th race. Triona's Hope and Clavering should be there to share the fun, and maybe Rosie as well. It would be great to have as many supporters as possible there on the day. The old boy is exceptionally well, and just bursting to meet his public again. There has been a lot of media interest in the event, and we are looking into the possibility of taking the horses down to the course on the Saturday morning, and arranging a "press conference" for filming, interviews and a photo-shoot at Southwell racecourse on the Saturday afternoon. This is subject to the necessary permissions being obtained. More good news when Steven, our vet, called last week. Both Poppy and Carousel were scanned in foal to Salty B. Good old Salty. That severe illness last year hasn't affected his fertility. He is due to serve Willow again next time she comes into season, and will also cover Supreme, who has been taken out of training for good. Unfortunately, her racing career has been ended. Her leg did not recover from injury sufficiently to stand the rigours of her training schedule. Should the injury recur, it would almost certainly be drastic enough to mean the end of her life, so she is to spend the rest of her time as a broodmare. The two foals born this year were sketched for their equine passports, and each had a microchip inserted into the neck. This is a particularly barbaric-looking procedure, necessitating the use of a local anaesthetic, but is deemed necessary for future identification purposes. All of the other stable-mates are fine, so we should have plenty of runners over the Summer months. The normal website up-dating service will be resumed as soon as possible, but, in the meantime, best wishes from the three of us at High Crossett Farm. |
| 2nd July | Quixall was again featured in The Sun today, with speculation about the 100th run. We haven't had a runner for a month now, since Trio's exploits at Wetherby. A news update will follow shortly. |
| 1st June | Trio
fine. Never touched a twig. Considering he has only done 2 gallops since
he last ran he did really well. It will have brought him on a ton.
He finished 6th.
We've just added lots of photos to the photos page from High Crossett last Sunday - see the horses at rest and play!! |
| 23rd May 2001 |
At about 04-00am on the 23rd of May, Willow gave us a big colt foal. He is a light-chestnut in colour, with a small white star on his forehead. He is, in fact, quite similar to Poppy's little chap, who has a large white star. The birth was easy. He was well presented and there were no problems. Ted and Joy had foreseen that it would be a big foal, and the vet had been to the farm to "cut" Willow to ensure that she didn't damage herself when giving birth. She certainly hung on till the last minute. Every time we checked her for the week before the birth, we were telling her to, "Lie down!! Deliver!! Give birth!! You'll feel better for it, you know!!" and similar words of encouragement. Even on the day of his birth, Willow's colt was only about 1 inch shorter than Poppy's, when he staggered unsteadily to his feet. He is going to be a big lad!! Within an hour he was trying to suckle, and Willow was fussing over him. She is slightly more protective of her foal than Poppy, and you just have to watch her if you are in the box with them. The colt initially seemed to be able to concentrate on only one thing at a time, so when he started to suckle, he forgot to keep his balance, and kept falling against Mum. He then had to stop feeding to get his precarious balance back. The foal has the most enormous hocks, so from the back it looks like he will be a Grand National type, rather than the 2000 Guineas winner we assumed he would be. Still, it is impossible to tell with horses. It only takes one horse to make fools out of a lot of people. One thing is certain, though. However much time he needs to develop, he will get it and more besides. I have always said that if I am to be re-incarnated as a racehorse, I will only come back if I can be one of Ted and Joy's. We are now in a postion to take the horses off to the gallops for race preparation. It shouldn't be long before we are "back on track" with runners in this season's Summer jumping campaign. Of which, more soon. NOTE!!! If you enjoy Geoff's writing about life at High Crossett, why not try his astronomy writings at: which are in a very similar style. |
| 20th May 2001 |
GEOFF'S APOLOGY. I would like to apologise most sincerely for the lack of news and creative writing on the website over the last couple of months. There are several reasons for this, most of which are of a personal nature. First of all, as you will be aware, the foot and mouth crisis has had a serious effect on racing in general, with lots of meetings cancelled etc. Under the circumstances, we decided to wind down the operation at High Crossett until the crisis seemed to be coming more under control, and we could be sure of meetings taking place. It seemed pointless risking injury to our horses whilst preparing them for races which might not even go ahead. Because of this, there has been very little "news" to report. This situation has now been reassessed, and we are now beginning to ready the horses for a return to the track. Hopefully we will have a lot of runners over the next few months, and it would be great to meet friends, old and new, at the racecourses again. If you see us, do please stop us for a chat!!! On a personal note, some of Quixall's friends know of my other passion in life away from the horses. I am a keen astronomer, with qualifications from the University of Central Lancashire. This academic year, I have been doing two courses, one with Central Lancs, and one at the Jodrell Bank Observatory with the University of Manchester. These have taken up a lot more of my "spare" time than I anticipated, but both have now been completed, and results are anxiously awaited. A return to my "abnormal" normality is now imminent. This combination of events, plus more besides, should ensure a return to the previous level of news on the site. I would like to thank everyone for their patience during this trying time. Best wishes, Geoff. (The Quixall Kid). |
| 7th May |
Yesterday (Monday) when I rode Quixall, I gave him a fairly easy time. The ground at High Crossett is now drying out very quickly, and has gone very crusty on top. The horses seem to be going through it all right, as it is still a bit soft underneath. This can lead to false patches of ground, and I was just being careful with "your" horse. Today was a gorgeous day. Blue sky and a bright Sun. Swallows were skimming everywhere - the first ones had arrived on the weekend of the 28/29th April. I could hear the first cuckoo of the year in the distance. As Quixall and I wandered around the Big Flap, we were attacked by the kamikaze lapwings who are nesting in the stubble. All of this wildlife, and a thorough-bred race horse to ride in stunningly beautiful scenery - what a day!! As I had left the yard on QC, Ted had shouted, "I want him training today. You're not going out for a pony trek!!" He must have seen us yesterday. No problem. When we were working in Norabank field, I saw the Boss leading Castle Stephen (Trigger) down into the next field to lunge him. I decided to move on to the Big Flap, as Trigger had been a bit wound up in his box this morning, and I thought we would be better out of Ted's way. We cantered to the top of the field, and I started to pull up on Quixall. The next thing I heard was Ted's voice. "Get off him, Geoff!! Quickly!!" I looked round to see Trigger galloping loose towards QC and me. As usual, events then went into slow motion. Get off? I'm safer up here. I'll get trampled by one of them down there!! Turn round Quixall. Quixall spun round for me, and saw Trigger coming. I held him still, and at the last minute Trigger saw us and swerved around us. QC bucked and tried to go off in pursuit, but I sat down into him and told him to keep still. Then Ted shot past. I waited for the rollicking for disobeying his shouted instructions. His comments were reserved for Trigger, and were, shall we say, unrepeatable on a family website. The fact that he ignored my masterful horsemanship is his way of complimenting me on it. By comparison, the rest of the session was very ordinary. Quixall is very fresh and really well. He did everything I asked of him with enthusiasm and spark. He lengthened his stride as we approached the rise each time, but let me pull him up before we got to the top where there is a false patch of ground. On the basis of his work today, it won't be too long before we can plan run number 100. The spirit and verve are still there, and Ted has him looking an absolute picture. As the Boss says, "He gets better looked after than a good 'un!!" And I am rostered to ride him again today. |
| 3rd May | Spent all day
today mucking out one of the deep litter boxes ready for Willow to foal
in. I said to the Boss: "Are you sure Guesty does this at Mr. Mason's?"
Quick as a flask Ted replied, "Course he does; and look how far
it's got HIM!". "Did you watch the Spanish Grand Prix last Sunday?" he asked. "Yes I did," was my reply. "Thought so. You must have been cornering too fast with the barrow then. Now look what you've done." Then he remembered that Joy had oiled the barrow yesterday, as the squeaking was driving her mad. Ted hadn't been too pleased with her action then, as he could no longer hear where I was, nor how fast/slow I was working. We therefore decided that it was in fact Joy who was to blame, as the increased cornering speed was generated by over-oiling the axle, rendering the barrow difficult to control in high speed corners due to significant oversteer. Convinced that neither of us was to blame, we went for a cup of tea. Geoff During the 2000-2001 season the High Crossett string amassed just £2,207
in prizemoney collectively; £1,896 of this was won by Triona's Hope and
£311 by Quixall Crossett. The reasons for this disappointing Notwithstanding, it still represents an improvement on the 1999-2000 season, when Quixall's third place at Market Rasen yielded the only £609 won by the Crossetts that season. Furthermore, it still puts Ted Caine higher up the final prizemoney table than some bigger and better-known names, including Roger Fisher, Susan Nock, Bill Jenks, Don Eddy, Jacqui Oliver, Donald Whillans, John Manners, Sir John Barlow and David Pipe. In a similar vein, Ted's record of 40 runners sent out without a winner
during 2000-2001 is by no means his worst ever; 1991-2 and 1996-7 both
beat that by miles. Other stables to send out more runners without Statistics courtesy of Jeremy Grayson |
| 29th April | On Saturday April
28th, Ted received the confirmation that his permit to train has been renewed
by the Jockey Club for another 18 months. This is always a trying time,
as the J. C. are a law unto themselves, and are not forced automatically
to renew a permit. Due to the exteremly heavy going at High Crossett Farm,
and on the race courses generally throughout the last Winter, I do admit
that the performances of some of our horses has been below the standard
we would have hoped. Coupling this with the injuries suffered by some of
our more reliable horses, it has been a bit of a disaster over the last
season. Ted has said that we were just giving other stables the chance of
a bit of prize money before we embark on our season of glory. Just when
that will be, however, hasn't yet been indicated!!
With the Spring now here, and, hopefully better ground on the way, we are hopeful of improving on the stable's performance . All being well, we will have plenty of horses fit to run over the coming months, and, of course, Quixall's hundredth race is a source of great anticipation in the yard and all branches of the national and international media. Under a separate heading, there are details of the breeding programme which is a source of deep satisfaction for us this year. (Salty is staring out of his box with a dirty great grin on his face too, so I think he knows he has played his part!!). All the horses are fit and well, apart from the inevitable bumps and scrapes, and it is now a question of returning them to race fitness after their lay off. A bit of dry weather should return our facilities to a reasonable state so that we can get on with things. Many people have written to ask how the Foot and Mouth outbreak has affected us at High Crossett. Luckily there have been no outbreaks in the neighbourhood, but we have restricted ourselves to keeping the horses at home to work, so as to minimise the chances of bringing the infection into the dale. As a consequence of the Foot and Mouth crisis, I have reluctantly taken the decision to suspend any planned stable visits for the foreseeable future. This is because there is stock in the fields at the farm at present, and I am sure that, having witnessed the tragedy of the outbreak on TV, no-one would wish that experience on any as yet unaffected farmers. When I am satisfied that the risk of infection is zero, I will reconsider the suspension. I am sure all Quixall's fans will appreciate the reasons for my decision, and will bear with us until the situation improves. Hopefully, things will get back to normal for us all soon, so keep checking the website for news of further developments!!! |
| 20th April | Poppy has foaled. A beautiful colt! He can be seen exclusively on the photos page. Ted and Joy are very proud!! |
| 16th April | We're
back in business. After a very quiet few months Red got the show back
on the raod at Wetherby yesterday. The foot and mouth restrictions
have been relaxed and let's hope for more runners!
Red settled really well, and jumped superbly. John was very happy with her. Unfortunately it has been impossible to give her the amount of hard work she needs to get her fully race fit, because of the very heavy ground at High Crossett. She blew up after about 2 miles. This was her most promising run to date, and shows that she has been listening to Joy's instruction at home in her medium paces. The plan is now to go to either Sedgefield or Markey rasen on April 28th with her, to run over the minimum 2 miles, again over hurdles. |
| 11th April |
Haydock Saturday is now a NH fixture. In view of the number of entries at Wetherby, Ted might enter Red at Haydock as well. All the horses are really well, and are as frustrated as we are with the present situation. Heartiest congratulations to all at Mr. Mason's on winning the National - Mr. Mason, Guesty, Mark Cobb and Claire Metcalfe. (Claire fell off Quixall in a race many years ago. I don't suppose she'll mind me mentioning that now!!!). Well done!!!! Make room on the sideboard for next year's Gold Cup!!!! |
| 17th March | Kin now great.
You wouldn't think he is the same horse who was so ill at the beginning
of the week. Poppy now officially named on the Broodmare Register as "Going Pop", as that what she looks like she'll do any second!!! (Joy's idea). It has taken me two days, but I now have a box ready for her to foal. Did you see Willow's half brother won at Lingfield today? Cracking write up in the Post, also trained by Gerard Butler, like Compton Ace (shame about him), also her half brother. |
| 14th March | Kin
is on the front lawn, eating the grass!!!! He had a comfortable night, passing two smallish motions. He is quite alert, looking around and soaking up the sunshine. The moisture in the grass will help internally. It isn't very long yet, and there isn't much goodness in it, but it could help to get him unblocked. He will be allowed to graze for an hour or so, then will be put back in his box. It normally takes about three hours to see any results from the grass - either way. |
| 13th March |
Kin went down with a serious bout of impacted colic yesterday afternoon. The vet has attended him twice. Once last night, and at 08-00am today. By 12-30pm the painkilling injection was waring off, and he was in severe discomfort. I kept him moving for about an hour, and the spasms seemed to cease. He was calm, but very tired, when I left High Crossett at 04-00pm. Either Ted or Joy had checked him every 20 minutes throughout last night. No doubt it will be the same procedure tonight. Kin kept looking at his stomach, then at us, as if to say, "That's where it hurts. Please do something." Joy has been giving him homeopathic painkillers this afternoon, and they seem to have helped. Unfortunately, he isn't out of the woods yet, but the pain has eased. Fingers crossed for him. |
| 12th March | 1).
Congratulations from everyone at High Crossett Farm to NICK KENT, Quixall's
current regular jockey. On 12/03/01 at Plumpton, Nick rode the winner of
the Hunter Chase, Music Therapy, for Ms Polly Stockton. Yet another graduate
of the "Quixall Crossett Jockey Training Scheme"!!!! WELL DONE,
NICK!!!!!!!!! Ted, Joy and Geoff.
2) "I taught him all he knows," said Quixall Crossett (16). |
| 11th March |
Due to the Foot and Mouth outbreak, we haven't been taking the horses off the farm. With the lack of jumps racing in the North, we are taking the opportunity to give them a bit of a break, without, hopefully, letting them slip too far back in terms of fitness. Otherwise, all is well. We feel so sorry for the poor farmers who have been hit with this terrible outbreak, especially at a time when farming is already going through such a grim epoch. More soon, I hope!! |
| 1st March | The weather at the farm is much better than here in town. Here it's dark and snowing, but the Boss is able to get the horses out to lunge them. It's total gridlock on the roads here though. |
| 21st February |
The vet called today for routine flu/tetanus vaccinations for some of the horses. He scanned Monny's leg. Monny is 100% recovered, and now back in my string of rides. I'm so pleased. He is a great brute of a horse, but entirely without malice. He just likes to let you know that he knows he is bigger and stronger than you, and that anything you do with him is because he is letting you do it. He is a super character. Clavering was also scanned. There has been some heat in his leg (the one he injured) since he worked on Monday, and he is slightly lame. We feared it was the injury flaring up again. The scan revealed no problems, so he will have a couple of days of rest, and then hopefully he will be sound again. This too was a great relief as we have high hopes for him over hurdles and in novice chases in the Spring. He needs genuinely good ground to perform at his best. Add to this a canter on Quixall in almost Spring-like weather, and days don't come a lot better than today. |
| 13th February |
Swiss is fine. Two horses fell in front of her, and she was hampered and unseated her jockey. She came back with a lot of blood on her near foreleg. When we got her boots off, there was just a little nick on her knee. As soon as we washed it down, it stopped bleeding. No cause for concern. Up till then she was running the best race of her life. She jumped big at the first fence, then a little slow at the next one, but after that she seemed to be enjoying herself, jumping well. There was no sweat (sorry dear, perspiration) on her after the race, and she hardly blew. She is a very tough mare, but doesn't seem to realise it. Kin ran well for a long way. Passing the winning post (on the first circuit) he was in front. He blew up on the second time around. When he got back he said: "I did well. I won, didn't I? But that blxxdy lap of honour did for me!!!!" Oh no!! A chip off the old block!!!! - Geoff. |
| 12th February |
Mr. Sean Magee has today agreed to accept the office of Hon. President of the illustrious Quixall Crossett Fan Club. I am pleased to say there were no recounts, neither manual nor mechanical, in any of the states, and there was no need to involve m' learned friends. Mr. Magee is very experienced in this role, having fronted the Amrullah Fan Club some years ago. He is also a journalist par excellence, and author of the Channel 4 Racing books. I am greatly honoured, therefore, to declare him Our President. |
| 9th February | Red and Trio run at Haydock Park tomorrow, in a novice chase. The race is on Channel 4 so you can see it from your armchairs - unless you're going to brave the cold!! |
| 8th February | Ted's leg is improving after getting a kick from Quixall himself. Trio and Red are entered at Haydock Park on Saturday. |
| 6th February |
Not much happened today. Ted went for a load of feed yesterday, so we had it all to unload and store today. All the horses, except Carousel and Salty B. were turned out for a few hours. |
| 3rd February | Wetherby off after heavy rain. Back to the drawing board with Kin.................... |
| 2nd February | Kin to Quixall will debut in the bumper tomorrow at Wetherby. Red also goes inthe Towton Novices Chase! Come along and say hello to Ted and Joy, and of course Geoff. We've been inundated with hits to the site today after the feature in the BBC News online sport section........ |
| 1st February |
Quaggy ground. Cold. It started to snow just as we were leading the horses over to the track. Both horses hated the ground, but they were so well in themselves we had to let them take their chance. At least they jumped straight!!!! and came back happy and sound. We're going to let Quixall down a bit, and wait for really decent ground for the 100th. If Trio eats up, he could go next to Haydock a week on Saturday. |
| 27th January |
Salty had a gentle lungeing today. He loved it. He then spent a bit of time in the box next to Carousel. Romance is still in the air. Trigger and Monny to be lunged tomorrow. |
| 26th January | THE
CASE OF THE MISSING STIRRUP
We took three horses to Mr. Beaumont's gallops yesterday: Quixall, Supreme and Swiss. Joy rode Quixall first. My brief was then to walk him for a half circuit, then hack on round, and pull up at the top of the rise, just passed where the wagon was parked. This was a training exercise for my riding, before embarking on proper work on proper gallops. Well, the first part went reasonably well. He was on his toes as he is race fit, and the Boss has been pushing the protein into him. We went on into a trot, then a hack canter. I had a fair hold on his head. Now, the one thing Quixall likes to do at great speed is to corner. Approaching the bend at the end of the back straight, he quickened. "OK," I thought. "No problem." It was my first ride at Mr. Beaumont's, and I didn't remember that it is a VERY short straight bit before another bend onto the other straight. He saw the other bend, and quickened again. This is quite a tight bend...... I got round the first two thirds of the bend with him, but then, unfortunately, I seemed to run out of talent. I knew I was a bit up his neck, as my face was between his ears. "Not too big a problem," I thought, "as I've still got my weight equally balanced in each stirrup." The next thing I knew was when the back of my head hit the wood-chip gallop. Luckily, the rest of my body seemed to have got there first, which lessened the impact slightly. I did, however, see stars not described in my astronomy course. Of course, all of this took place right in front of Ted, Joy and Mr. Beaumont's son Stuart. "What the hell happened then?", shouted the Boss. "I don't really know. I've only just got here myself!", I replied, picking bits of wood-chip from all my important little places, and set off in pursuit of Quixall. Sensible horse that he is, he went to the top of the rise, turned round, and came to me to let me catch him. He had that "stupid humans" look in his eye again. "I thought I told you to hack him back", said Ted. "I've never ever seen him go that fast." "I was impressed too, for a while," I said weakly. I handed Quixall over to Ted, while I got my breath back. Joy rode Supreme and Swiss uneventfully. I knew I was in for a "bumpy" ride home in the wagon, so I asked to travel in the back with the horses. Request denied. We all laughed until it hurt, all the way home. When we got back, having seen to the horses, Joy checked the answerphone. There was a message from Scarborough to say that Karen had given birth to twins on Tuesday of this week, but that they had been unable to get through on the phone on Wednesday to let Ted and Joy know. I offered the use of my car to go and visit her. Joy went, and Ted stayed with me to do the evening stables. Joy had asked if it would be OK to keep the car until the following day, so that she could visit, and stay over, with friends after she had visited the hospital. I said OK. That left me, on my own, with Ted, to be constantly reminded of the events of the afternoon. I was really glad when he fell asleep, watching the news. My neck was a bit stiff, and I had a bit of a headache!! They were reminder enough for me!! Eventually, he went to bed, and I fell asleep on the settee. 05-30am, the phone rang. A London number, but nobody at the other end. Settled down for another hour's kip. 05-40am, Kin had a roll in his box, and kicked the partition. We both shot out to check he was OK. That was it. We might as well stay up now. Tea and toast. 08-15am. Saddled up Quixall for road work. Hang on? One of my stirrup leathers, complete with iron, was missing! Checked everywhere. Gone!! I had to borrow one of Ted's. Rode out. Back 09-45am. No problems. Joy returned 10-15am. Now, dear reader, there are two schools of thought as to what had happened. Both agree that the missing item is at Mr. Beaumont's gallops, near the spot where my head had hit them. The difference of opinion comes as to how it became detached. One school of thought says that I must have dislodged it when I fell off. Hmm. Hmm. The other says that I fell off because the leather separated from the saddle. Hmm. Perhaps the position of the stirrup would shed some light on the subject. We returned to the gallops today with Clavering, Rosie, and Sally. Having set Joy away on Clavering, the search party set out. The stirrup, complete, was found about six feet away from the wood-chip gallop, on the INSIDE of the track. Now the stirrup had been the outside one on that corner, and it was found on the opposite side of the track to that on which I had come to grief!! "I bet you couldn't do that!!" I said. "Wouldn't bloody want to," was the reply. Two grown men in fits of giggles!!! Just after all of this merriment, one of Mr.Beaumont's riders arrived on one of his horses. She too set off around the track in the anti-clockwise direction. After a couple of times around in company with Clavering, she departed back to the stables. Ted replaced the tapes across the exit into the car park. Joy turned Clavering to do a couple of circuits in the opposite direction. He was looking about a bit as he passed us for the first time in this direction. The second time past, he realised this was where his transport was, and, as the other horse had finished, thought he should too. He was just past the exit when he slammed on all the brakes, throwing Joy at a pile of stones in the car park. He tried to jump the tapes, but only succeeded in snapping a fence post, pulling out the guard tapes, and ran up and over the huge pile of stones towards me. My first reaction was to run to Joy, whom I imagined in a million pieces behind the stones. Ted was already on his way to her, so I grabbed Clavering. Immediately behind him, Joy appeared galloping up and over the same stones. "You blxxdy plonker!! Put me back up!! Put me back up!!" she shouted, (and normally she never swears). I didn't dare disobey, so I did as she asked. She had come off on the same bend as I had done the previous day, and Stuart was just arriving in his tractor. He must think we are a right shower!! Luckily, the rest of the session was uneventful. The only injuries were very slight. Clavering had grazed his shoulder and the inside of his near fore on the post. I treated them as soon as we got home. He will be a bit stiff tomorrow, but there is no lasting damage. Stuart pushed the post back into the ground with the tractor. Then back home to High Crossett. High drama!! Yet again!! And it all starts again tomorrow!!!!! |
| 24th January | Quixall
and Trio will be entered on Saturday, for a race at Kelso on Thursday, 1st
February.
Trigger is much happier now, and has started bucking and squealing again. He had a good gallop around with Clavering and Rosie when we turned him out this morning. He is very suspicious of the gateway though Ted's injury is improving nicely. He can hobble quite quickly now. We were at Mr. Beaumont's gallops with a couple of the horses today. We had just arrived, and were preparing to set off, when Mr. Beaumont's gallops man pulled up in his tractor. "Are you going to use the gallop?", he asked. "Yes," said Ted. "Well, do you want me to run round in front of you?", asked the tractor driver. I nearly fell over giggling at the thoughts of the middle-aged chap, running round the all-weather, trying to stay ahead of a hard-held Trio!! Instead, however, he drove round in the tractor, and harrowed the surface before we used it. |
| 21st January | While lungeing Kin in one of the stubble fields, Ted was pulled over and dragged in the snow. As he tried to get upright, without letting go of the horse, he pulled a ham-string. He is able to hobble round the house, but that's about it. Kin is fine, but a little bemused!! The "Super-sub" assistant took over, and Joy and I managed magnificently without the Boss (- I think that hurt him more than his accident!!). We will not be running the horses at Wetherby on Monday, but still hope to get Trio and Quixall to Sedgefield on Wednesday. It just goes to show that accidents can happen at any time when working with thoroughbred racehorses. "Get well slowly, Boss. I'm in charge!!" - Geoff. |
| 16th January | STOP PRESS!! It is hoped that Quixall's next (99th) race will be at Sedgefield on January 24th, assuming that all goes well with his preparation, and that the weather is kind to us!! |
| 13th January | A great day. Trio got £50 best turned out as well. He gave what he'd got. Red settled and jumped better than last week. She still hasn't learned to breathe properly in her racing. (She tries to do it all in one breath, and then goes out like a light). That will come given time and confidence. Both likely to go to Haydock next Saturday. |
| 11th January | Trio is fine. A horse made a mistake at the ditch, and he
adjusted his jump to miss it, but the jockey didn't. I had to told Trio
he had to jump round twice before he stopped. He did just that. Never missed
a fence out, and ran on at the finish. It's just a pity Fergus wasn't with
him for most of the way. He pulled himself up with the others at the exit
back to the unsaddling area!!
He AND Red might go to Newcastle on Saturday now. |
| 8th January | Trigger's comeback may be delayed. He knocked himself on a gate-post. He seems OK. The gate-post is a write off. Quixall got a mention in the London Evening Standard. There's one of my poems there too. Fame in the south!! |
| 7th January | I'm having today off to recover. Ted and Joy are taking Kin
and Trio up to the Drovers' Road for a canter, and Trigger will be
schooled at home over the jumps.Both mares are OK this am. Supreme's old
injury is no worse than after a piece of work at home. She has stood the
race well. Red is fine.
Trio is entered at Wetherby on Thursday. |
| 5th January | Steve, our vet, called today. Quixall had his annual equine flu and tetanus boosters. He will now be inelegible to run for ten days, due to the substances in the vaccine. He also had his teeth attended to. Quite a few of the other horses received the same treatments. |
| 3rd January | Trio, Sally and Swiss all run at Sedgefield tomorrow if the track escapes the frost, rain, fog, snow etc etc. Let's hope we can see some action!! |
| 1st January | HAPPY NEW YEAR FOLKS!!
Haydock Saturday: Trigger, Red and Supreme in Nov. Chase @ 2-30. Ted's answer-phone has been red hot with press and radio wanting interviews!! I'm back tomorrow now the thaw has begun. |
| 31st December | Its been a fun few months. I've enrolled 16 new fan
club members since the site went on line in October That's about
two a week. Thanks to all the visitors who have made this venture
such a success. Ted, Joy and I can't thank you enough.
I hope you read Look out for more entries next week if the weather picks up. Trio's in one or two races at Sedgy on Thursday...... |
| 27th December | Supreme Comfort and Trio have been declared for Haydock. Just
in case it is off as well, Supreme has been entered at Catterick on Dec.
30th, together with Sally (Shank's Pony).
Look out for the Sun on Saturday and the Sunday Telegraph - you may just see our hero! |
| 26th December | A super day. Warren said Trio was "foot-perfect". He just doesn't quicken, but he'll gallop for ever. He was backed in from 20/1 to 12/1 on the course. Even though he has been racing and should be fitter than Quixall, he had a bit of a blow after the race. Quixall thoroughly enjoyed himself. He got a fantastic cheer as he passed the post. Lots of people wished him luck when we were in the parade ring and as we were walking out onto the track. So many people seemed pleased to see him again. I told Nick to get him settled as he was likely to want to sprint off after the start. That is just what happened, but Nick got him nicely settled. Quixall made one mistake at the open ditch in the back straight. Nick said he was going really well and just lost his concentration a little. It was the first time he had made an error like that for Nick. After the fence he gave him a slap down the shoulder and a bit of a kick. Quixall's concentration returned and he was immediately back on the bridle. He jumped the last brilliantly. Nick said that if he saw a long one before a jump, he asked Quixall to pick up, and he did, which is remarkable in the ground as it was. He hardly blew at all after the race. A super run after a lay-off of 15 months. Another fine tribute to the patience and skill of Ted and Joy Caine. Both horses returned home sound and happy. I must mention the Newsham family from Lancaster. They left home at 9-30am to see Quixall race, but because of the traffic en route and getting in to the track, they didn't arrive until after he had run. Luckily they recognised me from the photos on the web-site and they came into the wagon to meet himself as we were loading up to leave. |
| 24th December | All now ready for Boxing Day. I just wish I could have got one more piece of work into Quixall. I'm sure he'll give everything he has, but the ground will be a bit of a concern as it is his first run for so long. It is going to be very tiring. Trio is good and ready for battle. Swiss Comfort is jumping the fences at home the same way she jumped at Haydock last time. I have started to call her "Richard Branson" as she spends so much time ballooning!! More time needed there! Red, Trigger and Supreme were superb. We are expecting a lot from them. |
| 23rd December |
Boxing Day. Wetherby. Quixall gets a number 1 by his name!!!! At least in race card order. Quixall will carry the first colours (purple cap), Trio will have the pink and green quartered cap. Schooling going well with the others. The ground is still a problem at home. We're coping. |
| 19th December | Quixall is now entered at Wetherby Dec. 26th (with Trio) and will also have an entry at Haydock Dec 28th. Others will be entered tomorrow for Wetherby Dec. 27th and Haydock Dec. 28th. |
| 18th December | Fog and frost put paid to my intended preparation of Quixall today. It is now most unlikely that any of our horses will run at Newcastle this week. Entries will be made for Wetherby (Dec. 26th & 27th) and Haydock (Dec 28th). We have had two newspapers on the phone about Quixall's return. This is now likely to be at Wetherby or Haydock. Life is always unpredictable with horses, but when you add in the uncertainty of the weather as well: "Owt could 'appen". |
| 17th December | I haven't been to the yard since Monday, (due to dentist/doctor visits, an upset tum and my car doing an 'Or Royal' today - it wouldn't start!!), but Ted did a "serious" work-out on Quixall on Thursday, and was well impressed. I hope to do the same on him on Monday, then, all being well, he will run on Thursday, along with Trio, at Newcastle. There aren't too many entries in the race, but we are still at the mercy of the weather. |
| 15th December | Tomorrow (Sat) entries will be made for Quixall and Trio
to run at Newcastle on Thursday of next week.
Today (Fri) entries were made for Swiss, Sally, Trigger, and Red to run at Newcastle on Wednesday of next week. |
| 15th December | I think we can now safely announce that Salty Behaviour is
"out of the woods." When I took a hay net in to him earlier in
the week, he had a bit of a run at me and did a buck and a kick in his box
for the first time since the beginning of his illness.
He has now been moved to a box adjacent to Carousel Crossett, and he is showing marked "romantic inclinations" even though she is not in season. Carousel is a very placid mare, and the idea is now to increase her hand-feed, in order to try to bring her into season early, and then Ted will turn them loose together and see what Salty can do. It is such a relief to see him with a twinkle in his eye again,....... and the same goes for Salty!! The horse has had a very bad time of it, but he was never suffering, he just became very, very weak. Another 6 to 8 weeks on his present regime should see him back to his proper weight and strength. At the height of his illness I had threatened Salty: "If you die on me, I'll bloody kill you!!!!" I think he must have understood. He will survive. |
| 12th December | Trio and Swiss in at Catterick tomorrow - looks like the meeting will go ahead OK. We might get a run at last!! |
| 10th December | Wetherby abandoned. We're not having much luck at the moment! |
| 7th December | Trio, Swiss and Red have all been entered for Wetherby on Monday 11th December. |
| 26th November | Trio ran a blinder. It was really great to see him finish
so close to some expensive horses from some expensive trainers' yards. Swiss
jumped in a very novicey fashion. She was just making sure she got over
the big Haydock fences, but was worried by jumping out of bottomless ground.
She has very few racing miles on the clock and still has a lot to learn
about jumping at speed. That is the purpose of Novice Chases. It is a credit
to Joy's tuition that Swiss didn't just gallop flat out at the fences, but
had learned to negoitiate them safely, in spite of the going. Although she
was pulled up at the tenth, she will have benefitted from the experience.
We were not unhappy with her performance.
If everything is OK with him, Trio may well run next at Wetherby on Dec 11th (- an extra meeting). |
| 23rd November | I rode Quixall again today. As we were doing some road work he spooked at a roll of chicken wire in a neighbouring farmer's field. He knew it hadn't been there when we passed on Tuesday!!! Shank's Pony and Supreme Comfort will be entered tomorrow (Friday) for Catterick next Wednesday. I can imagine it will be a bit hectic on the phone tomorrow as we try to sort out if Haydock is likely to be on, or if we would be better going to Newcastle!! |
| 22nd November | Quixall was in fine form today. We had quite a bit of rain, so Ted decided we would carry on with clipping some of the horses. - This cuts off their Winter coats to prevent them overheating and sweating away body minerals when in faster work. - As there has been no reaction in his legs to being in harder work, Quixall was on the list. He looked like a shaggy teddy bear. Now, he isn't scared of the electric clippers, like some horses, but he was full of devilment. He would not stand still. He is in the best form with himself for a long time, and, now clipped, his skin looks a picture. If he puts half the effort into his next race, that he put into making fools of two grown men today, I think he is a nailed-on certainty!! |
| 21st November | Quixall worked really well for me today. We did some road work, then circles and figures of eight in one of the fields. He had a half-pace canter at the weekend. (He had back shoes put on today also). He is absolutely full of himself. It might not be too long now!! (Road work helps to strengthen his legs, and circles and figures of eight work his back muscles). |
| 18th November | Sally ran at Catterick today - she got round fine and her jockey says she is still very green but learning her trade with every run. |
| 14th November | Sally has been entered for Catterick on Saturday, but there are a lot of entries. (34). The Main Man seemed pleased to see me!!!! He's been reshod today, and I hope to ride him tomorrow. (I have been doing the stable paperwork all day today). |
| 13th November | Sally (Shank's Pony) hated the ground from the start. Considering
it was her first racecourse experience she took it all in her stride. She
kept in touch until coming into the straight, and then weakened, but it
had been hard work for her. I think she will be much better on better ground
and will have learned a lot.
In the same race, Swiss Comfort ran her most mature race to date. (Henbit's stock can be a bit scatty). She was always going much better than Sally in the ground, and did well to complete. She seemed pleased with herself after the race, and dragged me back to the racecourse stables to tell the others that she had got round!! On the firm ground in the Summer, Rosie (Cregg Rose) was bursting blood vessels internally and kept pulling up; now we have treated for the bursting, but she hates this heavy ground, and pulled up again. She has bags of ability but has been unable to show it on the course. I think she will be rested now, and we'll bring her back on firmer ground and give her another chance over hurdles. Trio, our Trio, (Triona's Hope) ran a cracker again. We know he is one-paced, but he jumps like a buck, and can take advantage of the mistakes of others. He finished fourth (~£400) on terrible ground over a trip that it is a bit short of his best. He loves to do his best for you. I think he knows we do our best for him. As I was washing him down after the race, I was telling him how well he had done, and how proud I was of him, when the Boss came to ask me how he was. Because I started talking to Ted, I got a sharp bite on the arm off Trio, who wanted to hear more about how well he had done!!! Swiss and Trio could well run again on Thursday at Sedgefield in the Novice Chase, depending on how they are after Wetherby. |
| 7th November | THE NEW CROSSETTS!!
The 4-y-o (Kasakov-Carousel Crossett) is now officially named: KIN TO QUIXALL. Sally (Jolly Jake-Flachra's Kumor) is now officially named: SHANK'S PONY. Shank's Pony, Swiss, Rosie (all hurdles) and Trio (fences) entered for Wetherby on Sunday. Rosie had her front shoes removed yesterday, and seems a little thick in both front legs this morning. She may be a little jarred up after her poor jumping at Wetherby last time. If Newcastle (Friday) and Wetherby (Sunday) are both off because of the weather, the plan is to go to Sedgefield on Thursday (Nov. 16th). |
| 4th November | Trio (over fences) and Rosie (over hurdles) have been entered at Newcastle on Friday, just in case Wetherby looks like being off. If those plans fail, there is a grade C Nov.Chase at Sedgefield on Nov.16th. The Boss is managing, just, to get the wagon up and down the farm road, and is exercising the horses on the old Drovers' Road, above Thirsk. The ground up there is still quite good. I have been stuck at home, as there is a flood warning at Stokesley between the farm and my house. The Boss is hoping to repair the farm road towards the end of next week. It isn't worth doing it yet, with more heavy rain forecast. |
| 31st October | Ted rang to say that the farm road is impassible at the moment after all the recent rain, so I'm back sitting at the keyboard, instead of sitting on Quixall!! The Boss is pretty frustrated as the horses soon go backwards in terms of fitness if we can't stick to their training programme. |
| 27th October | A mixed bag today. Rosie failed to complete again at Wetherby. She was a bit careful at the big black fences and seemed scared to touch a twig. She unshipped her rider in the back straight, but both seem unscathed. It could be back to hurdles with her to get the old confidence back. Quixall may be set for a return around New Year. He'll be sweet sixteen on 1st January - old enough to buy a lottery ticket!! We got a mention in the Racing Post today. And it seems to have upped the hit rate on the site - visitors have been tracked as far afield as Australia and New Zealand! |
| 23rd October |
Our vet called today. The scan on Quixall's leg shows that the injury, and subsequent problem, to be completely cleared up. I will resume his preparation tomorrow (Wed), aiming for a Christmas/New Year return to the track. (Originally the injury was a slight bump to the tendon of his off-fore. This healed very slowly, but the resulting scarring on the tendon thickened it, so that it did not pass cleanly behind the fetlock. This scarring has now gone down. Thus one problem healing created a further problem, but both have now been cured with rest and TLC). Clavvers and Monny are healing nicely but both require another 2-3 months off before they can start work again. |
| 21st October | Aintree
Rosie and Trio both home safe. So proud of Trio. He got £100 best turned out prize. A cracking run to finish fifth. |
yesterday! Also the Sunday Telegraph today. We've won Fan
Site of the Year in the Racing Post too.