Fine run by Bushmill Boy - runner up in bumper

The field for the bumper at Carlisle yesterday may have been reduced to just the 5 runners through late withdrawals, but going by the market there was a good deal of confidence behind each of our rivals.

In line, we thought our runner Bushmill Boy was a nice young sort too.

Setting off in front at a steady pace, owner Rob Bewley's son Callum had Bushmill Boy nicely settled, with the other 4 runners tracking the leader closely. That order remained until around 3f out when Mackenburg and Brave Seasca challenged Bushmill Boy on either flank. The eventual winner, Mackenburg, was able to quicken clear at this stage but Bushmill Boy kept on nicely on the final furlong to come home a clear second albeit 6 lengths behind the winner.

We're all delighted with this run, full of promise for the future as he has the make and shape of an athletic hurdler/chaser.

Meanwhile back at the ranch......

Phew! That was a busy week.

4 days racing in 8, 8 runners, 2 winners, 4 seconds (drat!) and 2 running fine races just out of the frame. And all the horses recording RPRs of 100 or more.

Just the one racing day pencilled in as a possible before Boxing day, and that's next Saturday at Newcastle where Banks O'Houxty and Paper Promise hold entries. More about this duo as we get further on into the week.
So it was far from a routine Saturday work morning as half the string were taking it easy, with just a half canter or light exercise following the activity of the previous few days.

Mouse Young popped into the yard and was delighted to see the progress of his Prince Flori gelding who, along with our Durban Thunder filly, completed a piece of exercise which took in 3 spins on the Up-the-Middle gallop. The pair are maybe not the fastest of our bumper horses but inherent strength and scope make them exciting types. 

Couple of our unraced 4 year olds  l-r : Seb (Callum) and Mila (Garry)

And finally

Some far more interesting news for those of our readers who tire of our endless, over-the-top enthusiasm for our equine population.............

Profiles of our two new teenage, weekend team members have been added to the Staff page. Last season, unusually for Dodlands, it was three teenage young ladies (careful now - ed) who joined the weekend/school holiday team and adding to that quota this season are a couple of local lads who joined us in August.
Ollie Whiteley and Lewis Renwick are fairly accomplished riders in their own right and are now enjoying riding powerful thoroughbreds in the morning.

Now, I think that just about covers the Diversity question.............

And amazingly, one of Hawick's finest who joined the yard, as that very same school-going teenager 7 years ago, has just turned 21!
Happy Birthday Mathew King!

It just seems like yesterday that you were a fresh faced, cherub-like innocent lad. Come to think of it, that's what you did look like yesterday.............

Birthday boy - Mathew King (Kingy) on Honda Fifty