A very chilly Cheshire today but no snow which makes life much easier. Yesterday we held our yearling parade and we would like to say thank you to all of our guests that battled their way through the ice and snow.The view from the Owners’ Lounge across to the gallop

Despite the weather the gallop is still working perfectly

We paraded the yearlings around the marquee, while our guests stayed in the warmth! Although a number did venture out for a closer inspection for the horses they were interested in

With the recent cold snap and abandonments of the countries’ jump meetings the BHA have staged an additional race meeting on the fibre sand at Southwell on Tuesday 30th.

We run Deva Racing Club’s Deva Le Deva in the 2pm, Kris & Helen Clark´s 4 Year Anniversary Nursery Cl6 over 7f with Richard Kingscote riding.

Deva Le Deva

On Saturday we run Arrow Storm at Wolverhampton in the 8.20pm,  Play Slots At totesport.com Maiden Stakes (Div II) Cl5 over 7f32y with Richard Kingscote riding.

Steve Taplin, author of 26 editions of the hugely successful “Two-Year-Olds” book, made the following comments about Kodiac in response to this week’s Thursday Thinker, which focused on the first season sires of 2010;

“His fee was only 4,000 euros this year, so Kodiac was exceptional value considering the success of his first crop. To date he has had 15 winners (30% winners to runners) and 3 of them won at listed level. His first book of mares wouldnt have been particularly classy but those first foals have certainly proved his worth as a stallion. A son of Danehill, hes closely related to the high-class sire Invincible Spirit and if the class of Kodiac’s mares improve, so will his results.”

We currently have a Kodiac colt for sale who cost €27,000 from Tattersalls Ireland in September:

“A big, strong racey two year old. His sire has already done fantastically well this year and this late April foal with improve a lot physically throughout his first season.” Tom Dascombe

“A really strong colt with a good walk, this horse looks tough and his first season sire has already had over twenty winners.” Ed Sackville

For full details on this colt for sale, please click here.

This week saw Iffraaj become the most successful first season sire in history when Dixlesio became the stallion’s 36th individual winner in a 6f conditions race at Madrid.

Today we run 3 at Wolverhampton.

Lenjawi Pride in the 5.10pm, wolverhampton-racecourse.co.uk Nursery Cl3 over 5f216y with Richard Kingscote riding.

Bassett Road in the 6.10pm,  Great Offers At wolverhampton-racecourse.co.uk Maiden Stakes Cl5 over 1m141y with Richard Kingscote riding.

Brouhaha in the 6.40pm, Betdaq On 0870 178 1221 Handicap Cl4 over 1m4f50y with Sonia Eaton riding.

Working hard during Wednesday’s evening stables. These hard working men and women are recognised annually by the industry at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards.

Evening stables – hay time

Today, Whipper sired 2  listed winners at Saint-Cloud racecourse. The aptly named Whip And Win won the Prix Isonomy (Listed Race) (2yo) (Turf) and the filly Courchevel won the Prix Ceres (Listed Race) (3yo Fillies) (Turf).

We still have available a filly by Whipper ex Bahamamia. Come and join the Whipper band waggon! Come and see the filly, simply call Tom Dascombe on 07973 511 664

To view full details on this filly please click here.

FOR SALE: Filly by Whipper (USA) / Bahamamia

On Saturday we run 3 horses with Richard Kingscote riding:

At Lingfield Park we run Wolf Slayer in the 11.45am, E B F Ladbrokes South Champions Maiden Stakes Cl5 over 5f  and Noverre To Go in the 3.40pm, ladbrokes.com Golden Rose Stakes (Listed Race) Cl1 over 6f which will be shown live on Channel 4.

At Wolverhampton we run Ajara in the 6.45pm, Phosters Handicap (Div II) Cl5 over 5f216y.

This weeks’ Thursday Thinker surrounds the resignation of BHA board member Jim McGrath. The former Chairman of Timeform suggested in a recent Racing Post interview that those in charge at Ascot and Newmarket ought to “hang their heads in shame” for not taking greater care to protect the races in question from the marketing ambitions of the BHA and Racing For Change.

His main criticisms were in relation to the proposed British Champions Series and in particular the new Champions’ Day to be held at Ascot in mid October, sandwiched between the Arc and Breeders’ Cup weekends.

What are your thoughts? Are Jim McGrath’s criticisms justified, or is this another example of racing resisting change? Have your say in the Thursday Thinker…