So what to make of the season ? It was certainly a roller coaster one - tinged with great sadness with the loss of two wonderful horses and the early retirement of our best one .
We lost Bruce on the home gallops - totally inexplicably . A fella which gave us some great days out and who's potential was never to be realized .
And then we lost Maddie - at a far too young age . He'd been retired for three years and really enjoying his dressage work when he seconded to a bout of colic . He was due to be paraded at The Cheltenham Festival - along side his old adversary Kuato Star ( hated them both ) - but alas - not to be .
And as for George ? Another - whom had he not been so physically 'brittle' would have reached the heights . Actually - he did for a time - so really happy memories - and always good when they get to a - hopefully - long and happy retirement .
Then we have Brother Geoffrey . If there were any two brothers so different I've yet to see it - they are opposites . But he does have lots of ability - as he showed when making all to win the valuable Bush Hurdle at Haydock . And thank heavens for that - will keep us going for a couple of seasons ! Things didn't work out for him going novice chasing - but no harm in that - he's still novice for next season and/or we can go down the handicap route . He did the business last season and we are very grateful for that . He's one to follow .
The saddest thing last year though was the rapid deterioration of my truly wonderful racing partner Yvonne . Yvonne has been suffering these past couple of years with dementia - a terrible thing to be afflicted upon one . At least she was still 'around' when Maddie and George were at their height . Yvonne will always remain 'the third woman' in my life - along with my wife and mum .
And what a good season for Pond House ! Three winners at The Festival and 1.4 m in prize money . Well done DP & team !
And a special mention for some of my fello owners - Lady & Prof Caroline Tisdall - Brian 'Horatio' Drew - Brookhouse - ( calls me Stanley ) Wayne and Sahara Clifford ( hope Sahara is feeling a lot better now ) and - well - many more . We all share in each others successes and defeats . Long may that continue . CU
Ps to Doug - keep us informed with Steve's horses by putting stuff on to the 'la blog'
