As mentioned in a previous blog, we are very well served by our usual vet, but when our horses require surgery or for pre sale vetting we use the Clinique de Conques, one of the top equine practices which is based near Libourne about 45 minutes from us.
Today Dr Fabien Relave came over to look at a horse work with an onboard endoscope attached so that he could see what was happening in the horse’s throat when it was doing some strenuous work.
Burma, who is a 1/2 sister to Cut the Mustard, has just had her 1st foal. A lovely big strong colt by Saddler Maker.
Verni (see blog of 5th february 2017) ran a great race to be second in the Martin Pipe today at Cheltenham for Paul & Clare Rooney.
Still on the upgrade, although he is eight years old, the strong galop suited him well & he jumped better as a result of it. He pulled quite hard early on & has plenty of pace so a drop back to two miles could also suit him.
Many congratulations to trainer James Ewart & owners John & Jill Dodd for the victory of CALIX DELAFAYETTE, first time out, in the bumper at Ayr today.
James & Briony bought Calix, as an unbroken two year old, whilst staying with us.
He came to us to be broken in before making the journey to Scotland. Calix Delafayette is a big strong gelding who will surely make his presence felt over jumps in the years to come.
Ouro Branco (Portuguese for white gold) won the bumper at Carlisle today by 18 lengths.
It was not unexpected as his first run on the 21 of February was extremely encouraging.
Ouro Branco as a yearling, sold privately to Nigel Hawke.
Al Namix ex Kestrel Mail colt foal born at a quarter to one this morning. His mother won 10 races on the flat & placed 34 times plus 4 wins over Jumps & 2 places from 6 runs. Kestrel Mail( by Cricket Ball, remember Lady Cricket?)had her first foal at 10 years old, who has already won. A very tough family. Her nephew is Chez Castel Mail who won a bumper last month.
Accomplice a 3 year old Gelding by Network out of a 3/4 sister to Blue Bresil, has just been broken in, and was ridden outside for the first time today.
Ouro Branco made a very impressive debut when finishing 3rd in a competitive Bumper at Taunton yesterday. He would undoubtedly have finished 2nd if he had not been badly hampered, so it was an excellent run for a 4 year old.
Ouro Branco is by Kapgarde out of Dolce Vita Yug, who won 12 races & was placed in a Listed race, her grand daughter won the Prix Finot (Listed race at Auteuil) last year 1st time out. We have a lovely 2 year old gelding out of her by Walk in the Park. This year she is being covered by No Risk at All.
Congratulations to trainer Nigel Hawke & owner Jeff Hall on the success of Lord Ballim in the 14h30 at Carlisle.
We sold him after he had run a few times in France, he is a half brother to Sainte ladylime, a three times winner we sold to Paul & Clare Rooney.
Lord Ballim has often shown promise, notably when falling at the last in a novice chase when having the race won & then last time out being beaten on the nod at Towcester.
Nigel Hawke has been very patient with the horse, as he has been a bit slow to get the message & has had confidence issues following a few falls.
The fitting of a hood & waiting tactics seems to have done the trick, he can go on from here.
HARAS DE FAYDEAUtzz 
