Hatrick Heroine

Well two weeks after Kempton it was off to Wolverhampton - its quite a long way you know - for my next race.  I've gone up in the handicap quite a bit so I'm racing against the bigger boys now.  It was a lovely evening, and when I went out onto the track I could hear the commentator say that I was favourite - not  again!  Still, I could only do my best and the stable Jockey had come all the way up to ride me as well, so I just had to go for it!

It was the usual stuff - quietly down to the gates, pop into the stalls and do my best to get a good start.  All of which we managed and again we tucked in just behind the leaders as they went off at a fair clip.  We got ourselves a bit closer coming round the final bend and, after being carried a bit wide by the horse on my inside, we just breezed on up the straight and back into that WINNERS ENCLOSURE!  That was my hatrick - three in a row for me - who could have imagined that - certainly not me when I started off.

I know everyone was absolutely delighted with me and it was the usual photos etc - how good is that - my Trainer keeps telling me what a good girl I am - and I agree.  Whatever next?

Fleur

Repeat Performance

Dear Everyone

Following my great night out at Lingfield it was off to Kempton where I was hot favourite to win my next race.  I have to say the pressure was on - not only were lots of people backing me to win but most of the Team were there as well - oh my goodness!

Now I have to say I was feeling in good form and I had the stable jockey riding me, which is always good for my confidence, AND last time I raced here I nearly won so hopefully ....................?  I have to say it all went well - my Jockey and I just went about our business, found ourselves a nice rhythm and when we got into the straight went for it up the inside and after making up a lot of ground I DID IT AGAIN - I WON.  A girl could really get used to this.  The best bit was coming up the straight when I heard the commentator say 'and here comes Fleur de la Vie'.

It was fantastic coming back in and all the Team were there looking as pleased as anything with me - I got lots of admiring looks and pats, a nice drink of water - more photos - its all good.  I've really got something to tell the others about now - come on Thelma get out there and racing - if I can do it I know you can.

Lots of love from a tired but contented Fleur

Somethings Afoot

Well what have I been up to while Fleur has been winning her race.  Well after a rather embarrassing moment at Windsor, when I went to the races and behaved beautifully until I wouldn't go in the stalls, I was sent off to Southwell to try again.

This time I was much better and after a little bit of persuasion did go into the stalls and was as good as gold while the others took their time - in fact I was in there so long that I pretty much went to sleep.  Anyway off we went when the stalls opened and although I was a bit behind I did catch up but I must say I didn't much care for all that sand being kicked up into my face and so I have to be honest and say I didn't run to my best.  Still, it was a good experience for me but once I got back to my stable things were not so good as my back foot became very sore and before long I was lame!

The Vet came and had a good look and said I was fit to drive home - phew! - but I have been sore for a couple of weeks and off training so that is a bit of a summerdowner (at least I haven't lost my sense of humour!).  I've had a couple of x-rays and apparently nothing has shown up - which is good news - but its just R & R for me at the moment which is frustrating as I want to get out there and show the little one that I can do it too - imagine her winning a race before me - outrageous!

From a resting Primacy

That Winning Feeling!

photograph by kind permission of Ian Headington - copyright Ian Headington 

 
I'VE DONE IT!  I have won a race - brilliant!!!!  Me, little Fleur, got to walk back into the winner's enclosure and the number one spot - how good is that?

After my last run I'd been feeling fighting fit and the Trainer decided to send me to Lingfield to race back at a mile and a half.  Some of the Team were there and I heard the Trainer tell the Team that this was quite a 'hot' race but that I was well.  It was a lovely warm evening and off we went to the start - now I've been round the block a few times and knew what was what, so I just did what I was supposed to and popped into the stalls and came out again pretty smartly, although I did'nt have a great draw.

My Jockey dropped me into a nice position just behind the leaders and coming round the final bend he eased me out and let me run on down the home straight and right on into the winner's enclosure - I felt a million dollars.  I could tell the whole Team and the Trainer were very pleased with me - there were lots of pats and hugs and I even had my photograph taken.  Unfortunately, the Mrs and the Gaffer weren't there but the Trainer got a phone call which I knew was from them and after he had hung up he came and gave me a special well done pat from them.  Phew! I can go back to Kimpton with my head held high and tell the others all about it.

Where next I wonder?  Bye for now from a very pleased with herself Fleur

Running Around

Well, what a busy girl I've been !  I've had three races over the past few weeks and I've come 2nd, 4th and 3rd - I just want to go one better now and WIN!!!!  I think I have been a bit unlucky once or twice and things haven't quite gone my way but I am determined to make it to the winners spot.

Now the Team have been very supportive and each time they come and tell me what a good girl I've been and thats lovely but I do want to do even better.  My racing has taken me around a bit - so far this year I've been to Leicester, Kempton, Yarmouth and Salisbury.  Now I have to say that Salisbury was the best - not only was it the closest - almost on my doorstep - but lots of the Team came to see me (even the Vickster) and I really felt at home.  It was a lovely warm evening too which made it nice for everyone.  The down side was that it was quite a rough race but I did my best and came flying at the end.  My last race was at Yarmouth - as one of the Team said 'I don't go that far on my holidays!' - and I have to rather agree - it IS a long, long way from here - probably from anywhere - but we made it there and back and I came 3rd so all I can say is onwards and upwards.

I'm having a few days off now so I think I will put my feet up and watch Ascot - anyone got any tips for me?!

Love Fleur

Stalling for Time .......

What have I been up to?   Well I'll tell you - its been a busy old time here at Summerdown, although just recently there hasn't been much summer about. 

First of all we had our open day - which is when all the owners turn up and we are paraded in front of everyone - if you remember last year I led the parade - well this time as one of the more senior horses I was further down the order as I have been promoted to the bottom yard.  The Team - or most of them anyway - were there and all came to see me - everyone seems pleased with me and why not I ask - I am now a fine figure of a filly.  However, my Trainer did let it slip that I had been less than co-operative going into the stalls!  How embarassing was that!  The Mrs came over afterwards and told me that I really had to pull myself together and get on with it. 

Anyway this week I have been having more stalls training - now I can't say I was happy about it but in the end I did go in as you can see - at first I was a bit wary but once in I have to admit that my world didn't cave in and nothing awful happened!  The second time I went in without the hood - how good is that - and I actually walked out - perhaps I'm getting the hang of it now.  I will reserve judgement but I guess if LouLou can do it I can.  My only excuse is that as I'm rather a big girl I do find the stalls a little small and they are really quite noisy - but needs must.

I am hoping that I might get to go racing soon  - its about time I overtook the little one.

From Primacy

Flying at the Finish

Hello - its me Fleur . Well - how wet has it been!  But, undaunted, I have been skipping up the gallops at Kimpton and had my second outing of the season this week at Kempton, where I'm pleased to say it turned out to be a lovely evening.  Lots of the Team were there to see me which was nice, and I think I looked pretty spiffy with my nice shiny coat.  I was a bit nervous as I was trying a mile and a half for the first time, and although I ran well at Nottingham I did run out of puff a bit, so I was slightly concerned.

But as they say around here - 'trainer knows best' - and I thoroughly enjoyed myself!  I didn't have the best draw (for the fourth time running!) and it was quite a rough race, so I found myself right out the back for most of the race, but coming into the straight my jockey found a path for me and I whizzed up the inside and just ran out of race distance to come 2nd - yes 2nd!!!  I ran on well past the line and think that if I had just had a few more yards I might have won - who knows - but I had a really nice time.  The Team and the Trainer all seemed really pleased with me and I was pleased with me too!  I think I have really grown up and am really looking forward to getting out on the track again when hopefully the only view of me the other horses will have is the one in the picture!

I wonder what Thelma is up to?

Bye for now from  me - Fleur