August 2024 Blog

With the three-week break in jump racing taking up the majority of August, there have been hardly any runners but we’ve still been working hard. The riders have been riding many lots, getting hot and dusty on the gallops. The yardies have been mucking out many stables, wilting in the heat. Now though, there’s a hint of autumn in the early morning air, a chilliness and darkness that, at the moment, doesn’t last long.

Rest in Peace Hughie

On July 31st, the yard lost its canine mascot when Jonjo’s Jack Russell terrier Hughie died. He’d slept a lot in the week beforehand and passed away in the sunshine in the courtyard by his home.

As a younger dog, Hughie was a regular round the yard, often lying on top of tack, jumping up to catch the end of a lead-rope as you led a horse around or barking at horses swimming. A loyal little henchman, he always went with the Boss on the gallops, whether it was in the jeep or on foot. He had these big bat ears, the coat the colour of burnt caramel and was always friendly to owners and visitors, and most companionly when lying next to the Boss whilst he watched the racing. In his later years, Hughie spent much of the working day curled up in a fluffy bed in the office like a tiny fox in a sunspot.

In his fifteen years, he led the best life. He was once depicted with a grin in a ‘Birdie’ cartoon and loved rabbling with his friends Daisy, Vinnie, Rocky and Dusty, though enjoyed the company of small children a lot less. He’s left a little hole in the yard, and we’ll all miss him.

Mane Pulling

With most of the horses back in after their holidays, there was the usual mammoth task of mane pulling, which means to shorten and thin the manes that had grown over the summer by backcombing and tugging it out by the roots. Some horses love it, seeing it as a pamper whereas others hate it, seeing it as torture. As I got into a rhythm of combing, wrapping strands round my comb and yanking downwards, I thought that some people in this society which we live in would disapprove. The animal rights activists also disagree with the twitch I wound round the horses’ noses to save a battle and with the stables, because they want all horses rewilded.

A Good Old Brushing

On my full days at work, I always come to work for afternoon stables early so I can give my favourite Monbeg Genius (Minnie) an old-fashioned grooming. Shortages in staff and not enough hours in the day means that horses now only get a flick over, compared to the past when we’d look after our ‘own’ six and be required to brush them thoroughly every night. But I love brushing Minnie like it was 2000! I start with the dandy brush, which has stiffer bristles, that lift dead hairs, scurf, tiny scabs, dried sweat and sand from the round gallop. Then I polish him up with the softer body brush, going over him multiple times.

Minnie stands like he’s having a massage, munching his hay or swinging his grooming kit bag around in his mouth like a joker. Afterwards, he looks shiny and relaxed, so maybe he’s a bit itchy beforehand. Sometimes, he turns to me, scratching me back with his top lip.

A lot has changed in the daily routine in racing yards but the satisfaction from doing a good job with a horse, of turning one out immaculately and having the time to brush one is still very rewarding.

Winners

On 17th August, Hey Day Baby won at Market Rasen under conditional Ben Macey. It was the first time Tirana Jakulpi had driven to the races and done everything alone so a huge double congratulations to Tirana too. Hey Day Baby is a sweet mare, with a large white star above an unusual darker smudge of dark hairs. My tiny contribution to the win is to muck her out every morning.

A few days later, on the 21st, Wilful won impressively at Worcester. For once, we got the better of a Willie Mullins’ runner by beating him into second place. Wilful’s pink and green colours of his owners Jim and Fitri Hay are more used to gracing the winner’s enclosure at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood but it was a solid win for their small string of jumpers. A mention must go to his usual groom Liah Corcoran who is currently off work due to fracturing her pelvis in a fall a few weeks previously. She would’ve not really minded that her boyfriend Ben was the one to lead him up!

Colleague Spotlight Revisited

We waved farewell to another member of the team as Lucy Westlake moved to Australia on the 30th August with a twelve month visa,  ‘To see if I want to stay,’ she explained. Lucy has a job in Mornington, an hour from Melbourne, for trainer David Feek, where she will be exercising Flat horses on Mornington Racecourse.

Lucy has been a long-term member of the team, she has a deep love for hunting, showjumping at Royal Windsor Horse Show

Growing up in Gloucestershire, Lucy had a horsey childhood, and was a member of her local Pony Club. She has ridden all her life, particularly enjoying days on the hunting field and rode in the 2019 Golden Button Challenge, which proves her fearlessness in the saddle.

Lucy, 25, first came to work here full-time in 2018, always enjoying riding out the most. She is a talented rider, often schooling and working, and loves the quirky horses. After joining the Army in 2020, Lucy became a trooper in the Lifeguards. In her four years in the Household Cavalry, she passed her HGV license and had many exciting days on horseback, including leading in the winners back in at Royal Ascot in 2021 in full ceremonial uniform and showjumping at Royal Windsor Horse Show. She also took part in Garter Service at Windsor Castle and the late Queen Elizabeth’s final birthday parade, Trooping of the Colour, in May 2022. She then rode at the Queen’s funeral that September, King Charles’ Coronation in July 2023 and at his Scottish coronation in Edinburgh and the King’s first birthday parade. At 5’3”, she wore that heavy ceremonial uniform with the same strength as she held strong horses on the gallops.

Lucy finishing second on Greatest Star and then, a year later, fourth on Front View

During her time in the Army, Lucy always returned to Jackdaws Castle to see her friends – ‘I can’t stay away,’ she laughs – but also to work here when she was getting out her amateur license. In March ’23, Lucy had her first ride under Rules and finished second on the Fergal O’Brien-trained Greatest Star, beaten three lengths at Sandown. At that time, she was also working full time for Fergal, doing so for just under one season.

Second in the 2024 Grand Military Gold Cup on Rose of Arcadia

Last season, in January, Lucy finished fourth over hurdles on the Jonjo-trained Front View in the green and gold hoops of JP McManus at Sandown. On the same day, she then finished a brilliant second on Rose Of Arcadia in the Grand Military Gold Cup for Joe Tizzard – her first ever ride over fences. In April, Lucy then rode Bill Turner’s Lion’s Vigil in a military handicap hurdle round Wincanton, finishing seventh even after he took a keen hold.

Lucy will be greatly missed. Not just by her friends on the yard but also as a rider and driver; a reliable, cheerful and chirpy member of the team. Will being on the other side of the world keep Lucy away forever? I’d say not – one day, on a visit back to the UK, she will pop over to the yard and ride a few lots. After all, you can take the girl out of Jackdaws Castle but not Jackdaws Castle out of the girl.

What was your best experience this season? I went to Punchestown with three runners. One was Koukeo, who was the best, such a well-behaved baby. It was also a great experience to see how the Irish do everything.

Favourite racehorse: Country Park, who I nicknamed Crunchy. He was a bit difficult so not many other people liked him but I got along with him well. I also really enjoy riding Riviera Walk.

What’s the best aspect to working in racing? I do enjoy the riding, especially seeing the progression of the young horses. I also like going racing for something different.

What’s the worst aspects to working in racing? The cold and wet weather and it’s so sad when horses die.

Hopes and dreams for the future: To be happy, make some money and have a good life. Hopefully, Australia works out, and I can live there permanently.

Why did you choose Australia? The sun, the beaches and the lure of riding racehorses on the beach.

Why did you decide to leave the Army? In the end, I wanted my independence back.

What will you miss about Jackdaws Castle? I’ll miss the lads, my friends and the horses. I really enjoy living back with head girl Georgia Plumb – it’s been like old times.

Favourite meal: Rare steak, mushrooms and chips.

Favourite drink: I love a cold, crisp can of Fanta straight out of the fridge.

Favourite snack: That depends on the day. Sometimes, I crave savoury and other days, I need something sweet.

Favourite breakfast: I love pancakes and fruit.

Favourite holiday destination: Portugal.

Other hobbies: I can crochet. I’ve just made a cream beach dress I can wear in Australia. I basically ride horses and crochet!

Favourite music: I listen to anything but I do love Radio 1. Something that I love about going racing is listening to Radio 1 whilst driving.

Favourite TV: I love watching Ambulance, 24 Hours In A&E, Call The Midwife and The Handmaid’s Tale.

What is your lasting memory of working in racing in the UK? The best thing for me was always riding a horse every day, taking it racing and for it to run well.