Festival Prep
Just before a fair February dawn, Richard, Chloe, Nick, Sophie and I waited for Polly to arrive at the sleeping racecourse with the business of the day. Born Survivor, stable, yard and running companion for Santini.  For Santini, a little pipe opener and indicator for Richard and Polly to aid with last minute fine tuning for his run at the Cheltenham Festival. 

Richard and his brothers grew up just a Devon lane away from us. We all had ponies.  Richard dreamed of breeding the Gold Cup Winner.  Santini had already so nearly done that for him and was back to try again. Santini’s racing career had been dogged with bad luck and through no fault of his own. A beautifully bred creature, capable and an absolute character. He really enjoys a huge fan club but I claim top membership place. 

What a treat it was to enjoy that private view under a sunrise turning the sky pink. Chloe and Born Survivor looked the picture and I think she had double handfuls in store, but Santini has always filled my eye with his sheer size and power. Oh Nick Scholfield if Santini were mine no one else would get the ride, so sympathetic, just Santini’s slice of hay!  A strip of light twinkled on the finishing post as they cooled off walking around the paddock and too soon it was time to go home again.