Another busy month has nearly flown by and it is great to be back into the thick of both the National Hunt racing and Point to Pointing. The winter weather has well and truly hit and the team are very grateful for their Lalor waterproof trousers that Steph has spent several years working on and designing. 

The National Hunt horses are in great form and we are delighted to already have 4 winners on the board. Stratton Oakmont and Diamatiste both made their seasonal debuts at Exeter on the 7th November and despite the awful weather, the team were well rewarded. Stratton Oakmont was back in the Winners’ Enclosure under a lovely ride from Jack Tudor. The Kayley Woollacott Racing Syndicate run by Martin Higgs, have been very patient with him after he lost his way last season and it was great to see him back performing as we know he should. Diamastiste also ran very well to finish 4th and backed it up 10 days later, finishing a closer 3rd over the same course and distance. James and Sean Bowen provided us with a good day at Ffos Las with James riding Stellar Stream to finish 3rd and Sean gave Sparking Duke a fabulous ride to win on his first appearance for us under rules. Sparkling Duke won for us at Maisemore in a Maiden Point to Point last season and gained plenty of confidence in doing so, which we believe has made a big difference to his performance. Our Dylan ran at Wincanton in the “Hands and Heels” Handicap Hurdle under Rian Corcoran for 4Racing Owners Club. After looking outpaced down the back straight, he stayed on really well to get the better of his opponents in a close finish. He has been a marvellous campaigner for his owners and this is now his fourth career success. Knock Off Soxs made his hurdle debut at Taunton and ran a super race to finish 2nd behind a fancied horse of Nicholls that is rated 120. Lydeard Girl also made her hurdle debut in the same race and ran with plenty of promise and will appreciate stepping up in trip. 

Millyellen was our first Point to Point runner of the season at Lower Machen for the Blackmore Racing Club. She finished a very pleasing 4th in a competitive race and was up against some very expensive stores. We will look to find another Maiden for her and she should go very close on her next appearance. We headed to Dunsmore on the 23rd November, which has always been a happy hunting home for the team. Woodstock Octo got us off to a good start winning the GB Bonus Young Horse Maiden for John and Sonia Gardener. He was purchased at Goffs UK Spring HIT Sale and his back form in Ireland makes him a very exciting prospect. Noble Blue was very impressive taking the 0-110 Rated Series Race beating Kilfilum Woods easily for Friends Of Sylvie. The Intermediate Race was probably the most competitive race on the card and Talimar Pearl, as always, tried his hardest, to finish 2nd. Unfortunately, we lost Electric Jet, who was running an incredible race for us in the NWFAA Maiden before coming down at the last. Although Jet only joined us in the summer, he had been nothing but a pleasure to train and have on the yard and in a short period of time, had very much become part of the Blackmore Family. We send our deepest condolences to his owners John and Sonia and the girls who looked after him at home. 

In between racing, we have been busy schooling at Worcester Racecourse for their pilot Schooling Trials, which were well supported. We took two 4 year olds to run 2 miles over hurdles and found it very beneficial for them. Dunsmore Racing Club were very kind to let us back the day after racing to school. We took some of our 3 year olds for their first away day and some older horses that are not far off a run. We are very lucky to have both NH Racecourses and P2P Courses opening their doors and it is something that needs to continue.