Any excuse ...

... to get back to Gevrey Chambertin ! Well - a good win is enough - and it is CHISTMAS ! Sorry to my reader for not reporting in earlier but been down in Ceret . They have a rather wonderful Xmas market - the is best place in the world to buy someone that completely unwanted gift . But the best thing is coming home .... via GC of course !

The downside was that I missed the weekends racing at Cheltenham - must have been the first one for many a year - and even more - that Kings Palace absolutely hacked up in the colours of my mate Brian Drew . I did see the race on tv but - well - not quite the same - not sharing in that celebratory glass of champers ! Still - what a prospect that horse is! Back him to win a Gold Cup sometime . Let's hope he keeps fit .

On the subject of fitness - George - who had been entered for the Long Walk at Ascot this weekend - had his last piece of proper work yesterday and unfortunately it didn't go well . It might be that we'll have to draw stumps with him now. But he's very well in himself - I now that sounds contradictory - but it just a physical thing and that happens in all sports . We'll make a decision on his future this weekend. A happy retirement beckons .

Sad as it might seem - I was watching an original Star Treck episode the other day - in Francias of course . It occurred to me that the series is coming up to its 50yrs anniversary and still our technology has not caught up - or I was born too early . If I could be 'beamed' about - just like Scotty - life would be just so perfect - and then I could've made Cheltenham ! CU

The forgotten one

Yea - remember Only Witness ? Poor ol'bugger - he gets a bit forgotten about but is making his seasonal debut this afternoon at Taunton . Had leg problems last year but Brendan says he's in good form and fit . Should like the ground - distance right and the race itself is not a strong one.
EW recommended though - CU

Sent from my iPhone

Brothers ...

... but very different ! I took a photo on Sunday of George & Geoffrey's rear . Notice anything ? Well - you can hardly make it out - but Geoff - if you look really closely - has a white mark on his right rear - George a black one . They're opposites . Anyway - that's what the Francia's say . Interesting though . CU
Ps thank for everyone's very kind messages about Madi - and the photos . I must make it easier for you all to do this stuff directly to la blog - be more fun

Another photo -

Thanks Matt

More ...

... photos of Madison - thanks Paul .

Madison du Berlais

It was with great sadness that this week I've learnt of the loss of Maddie after a short bout of colic . It was only last Sunday that he took first prize in a dressage event and had been in typically buoyant form . It is true to say that he made Yvonne and myself everything that we are today in horse racing . He took us from the ranks of selling class to the heights of winning Hennessy's and great races . He won well over 400k
in prize money - beat the mighty Denman twice - and to this day was the last horse to beat Big Bucks . (Photo)
My real condolences go out to the girls who did all the hard work in training him in his new career . I never thought it could be done ! Bloody horses .

On a much lighter note we all went down to Pond House on Sunday for a glass or two (or more) of champers to celebrate Geoffrey's success at Haydock the previous Saturday . He's come out of the race really well and we can now look forward to him going novice chasing . He's not quick enough to stay hurdling - but - fingers crossed - will make a really natural jumper .

And as for his elder brother George - well the jury is still out . The main thing is that he's well and in good care . A long holiday somewhere ? CU