14 July 2004
Regular readers have been complaining of the infrequency of my updates. I must plead guilty - I cannot keep up with the lovely Jacko Fanshawe who apparently updates the Pegasus Stables website daily. When news is short I am told you may read details of what James Fanshawe had for breakfast. Congratulations to James and Jacko on a magnificent Gr. I double at the Newmarket July meeting. It was sad to see Attractions colours lowered - she was never able to dominate like she did at Ascot, and may have just met one better than herself for the first time. She has now grown into her much-discussed front wheels, and I for one would have no hesitation in breeding from her - she will make a lovely mare.
Royal Ascot was the usual delight. Angie entertained a group of our friends and clients to lunch in No 1 car park on Tuesday and Wednesday, a labour of love executed 250 miles from her kitchen. I poured two cases of Puligny-Montrachet and Louis Roederer 1990 and dazzled the guests with my choice of ties and conversation. On Wednesday we were pleased to fortify Mike Dawson and Peter Savill who subsequently both enjoyed winners that afternoon.
It is sad to think that Royal Ascot will never be the same again - I hope it will not suffer the same fate as Epsom, Newmarket and Goodwood. The best and most charming pre-parade ring, saddling boxes and paddock are being sacrificed on the altar of one man's ambition - I hope he knows what he is doing. Of course it was necessary to eliminate the tunnel between Tatts and the paddock, but moving the racecourse is a very high-risk strategy, and changing the paddock is vandalism. It is a fact, not understood by architects, that to view horses meaningfully you must be standing on the same level as the horse. The Ascot pre-parade ring was perfect for this purpose, and a very knowledgeable and professional crowd gathered there before each race. It is often overlooked that, for all the glitter and glamour, Royal Ascot is a serious trade fair for the British racing industry and as such attracts cognoscente from all over the world. Are we changing this so that Doris and Sharon can see the gee gees?
I had hoped to see the model of the new layout but unfortunately it was in the Royal Box for the week and I was not invited in. Rumour has it that H.M. shares my disquiet on the wisdom of spending £180 m. on a business that sells out six months in advance every year. Off with his head, Ma'am.
My former protege Ted Voute has reappeared in Europe. Ted has galloped about for the last few years like the vicar of Bray, in and out of partnerships and jurisdiction, with bewildering rapidity. I have given up writing his latest address into my address book - just as well judging from his recent advertisement for a place to lease. The grass is not greener Ted. Just settle down and get on with the job before Jamie Railton inherits all your clients.
Amanda and Mark Perrett have suffered a miserable first 'arf (as the football commentators say) but now they look set for an exciting second 'arf. Two debutant two year old winners last week, both purchased by yours truly, and several other winners and placed horses indicate that the long-suffering owners and stable staff may reap the rewards for their patience.
There is a nice article by Tony Jakobson in the July edition of Pacemaker about Amanda and Mark, although I confess a slight disappointment that the tiny part I have played in her climb to fame did not merit a mention. Her Dad was always very generous with giving credit where credit is due.
I am having fun in Gloucestershire this summer designing and building a new stud (near Badminton) on a green field site for Dominic and Val Burke. The majority of the 100 acres is virgin land as far as horses are concerned, and has been down to grass as long as anyone can remember. Ideal. A couple of new barns, some fencing, and the Burkes are in business.
I have always maintained that part of the success of Juddmonte stemmed from me buying virgin land for all Prince Khalids studs. Sheik Mohammed's advisors, and his brothers'. kept buying clapped-out, horse sick ex-public studs like Dalham, Shadwell, Kildangan, etc. Juddmonte's clean, fresh land stood them in good stead, a tip which was not lost on Anthony Penfold who followed my lead with great success for his patron Fahd Salman. A pity that his successful stewardship of Newgate's bloodstock seems likely to end up in court - I recommended Anthony for the job and I do not believe he has done anything that deserves censure, let alone having to spend his life-savings defending himself.
It would take more than a few weeks in the High Court to get to the bottom of Charlie Gordon-Watson's life-savings, but I am equally sure that his fortune is entirely based on honest toil and a fair deal for his many customers. I believe he spends it all on foxhunting and cigarettes. What will he do when both are outlawed?
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