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Sunrise on Hodcott Down - 23rd November 2011

MORNINGS THAT MAKE LIFE A LITTLE EASIER

The first frost of the Winter on Hodcott Down say our Dubai bound horses stretch out in a routine canter on Hodcott Down. The first of the yearlings are settled in the middle of the string during first lot, whilst a full second lot of yearling colts are now doing steady canters every day up the woodchip.

The fillies will soon be joining them as every 2012 two year old eventually graduates from the Indoor School to the Winter Gallops and we wish away time until the Spring when things become a little easier.

   DUBAI BOUND WINKER WATSON, CHILWORTH LAD & MONTAFF LEAD HOME FIRST LOT

It's bound to be cold and miserable for the vast majority of the Winter as we well remember from twelve months ago, but this morning was a bit special.

FAYE GALVIN - SHE ONLY STARTED ON MONDAY AND SHE'S ALREADY LOSING THE PLOT....

INTRODUCING FAYE GALVIN - A NEW FACE AT WEST ILSLEY

Many of our owners will be asking who the new voice on the end of the line at West Ilsley belongs to. It's Faye Galvin who has gamely stepped in to fill the void left by our Racing Secretary Susan Harding who has left for a three month stint of missionary work in Australia.

One of Sue's many roles Down Under will involve lecturing the natives on the art of continuous swearing. Susan's other ambition is to promote her unique brand of Dale Farm Track-suits that we are sure will see her return in February as a highly acclaimed dual hemisphere success. 

Faye has settled in seamlessly and has already proved herself to be one of the most conscientious members of the team. Only this morning she spotted a "loose horse" by the walker as Mick was overseeing the first lot of yearling colts cantering on the Hodcott Down Gallops.

With the alarm raised, John Dennis, Paul Morkan, Jack Channon and the Yardmen still at home began their frantic search for the mystery loose horse.

They started by checking the yard and when every inmate was accounted for they set out to the paddocks, which cover over 200 acres of West Berkshire. When each horse out at grass was accounted for, they began to wonder if Miss Galvin was hallucinating.

Someone even suggested that she'd sighted the ghostly apparition of one of Major Hern's hacks.

But no. Faye had actually seen a yearling being led towards the horse-walker by a diminutive yardman who was obscured by the horse's not inconsiderate frame.

The lads saw the funny side. Eventually.

Welcome to West Ilsley Faye. 

LORD ILSLEY RACING - HORSES FOR 2012 - VIDEO NOW ONLINE

Our choices have been made and here they are on the Features and Lord Ilsley Pages of the Website:

http://www.mickchannon.tv/page/features
http://www.mickchannon.tv/page/lord-ilsley-racing

If you'd like to know more and wish to come along this Sunday (it's the 13th November - NOT December as Michael keeps saying!), please get in touch.

E-Mail: mick@mickchannon.tv

Phone" 01635 291166

THE PROUD MEMBERS OF LORD ILSLEY RACING ARE GETTING TOGETHER AT WEST ILSLEY THIS SUNDAY

LORD ILSLEY RACING OPEN DAY - SUNDAY 13th NOVEMBER

It's that time of the year when the vast hordes of Ilsleyites descend on West Ilsley Stables as we unveil the yearlings that will represent the syndicate in 2012.

There will be more information and videos of the horses for 2012 throughout the week, but the day, if all goes to plan is as follows:

10.00 - Arrive at West Ilsley, Tea/Coffee & Food

10.30 - Accounts for 2011 (Existing Members)

11.00 - Parade of Horses

11.45 - Shares for 2012

12.00 - Drinks & Banter

13.00 Onwards - The Harrow Pub at West Ilsley

Lord Ilsley Racing is an in-house syndicate for West Ilsley Racing.

If you would like to find out more about the syndicate, please feel free to view the video on the LIR Page which is situated on the home page of www.mickchannon.tv

All are welcome - please contact us via e-mail if you wish to attend!

E-Mail: mick@mickchannon.tv

CHAMPION APPRENTICE JOCKEY OF 2011 - MARTIN HARLEY

CHAMPION APPRENTICE JOCKEY OF 2011 - MARTIN HARLEY

Congratulations to Martin Harley, who capped a tremendous first season riding in England by becoming Champion Apprentice Jockey of 2011.

Martin arrived at West Ilsley from Ireland in March and immediately got his head down and clocked up the miles on the road to amassing 57 winners this year finishing six ahead of his nearest pursuer Kieran O'Neill.

Everyone connected with West Ilsley is delighted and incredibly proud of Martin's achievement. From Mick's point of view, it's a result of Martin's commitment to getting the basics right from the outset.

"He's a typical product of Jim Bolger's yard. He works bloody hard - full stop. That's the core factor in any walk of life. Sometimes it's not pleasant and I've seen many a talented kid jack it in for an easier life, but you don't often hear of them again. 

"On top of that he's very talented and thinks about his horses and knows what owners want. I've been bloody hard on him this year and to be fair he's always reacted positively and kicked on harder. 

"I've got Charlie Bishop here and I don't think he's getting the opportunities he deserves at present from outside yards. He's a cocky little sod, but he's got ability as well. He'll do well by copying Martin's approach to the job.

"Martin deserves all the credit for what he's done this year, he's a credit to his roots."