Well it is that time of year when a lot of our horses go home and we concentrate on maintenance and repairs. Malcolm Warner who manages all our repairs has been in again repairing water supplies and topping up the wood chip gallop. Andy spends his life between the race planner and his ever increasing choice of lawn mowers. We have also been sourcing several new recruits for next season. Not too much else going on - all the labradors are getting used to their new kennel and a few of our late season pointers who have wanted better ground will now be running under rules."

We have a couple of stable visits in the next couple of weeks, which is always great fun meeting new faces and talking shop. Better go as I have a gallop to harrow and afternoon stables looming. Catch up soon.

10th June 2010


Golly my blog page has been deserted as we rush around with all the under rules runners, and we have occasionally managed to go pointing between abandoned meetings and desperate ground. Anyway as most you know we have been enjoying a great time with our lovely team of horses. Quousko De L'Isop has put the yard in the lime light with his impressive bumpers wins at both Warwick and Southwell. Flowonlovelyrive has rekindled some of his talent by winning at Chepstow. R Craig and Boosha have also run very well in bumpers. We intend to go to Ludlow and Haydock this week and as for the pointing well watch this space.

24th November 2009

Well we needed the rain and haven't we just got!!! Good safe ground that is for sure, the only problem being if it continues racing will be off. Oh well it makes you feel that pointing must be just around the corner. We have been really busy at home what with all the youngsters we have had in. We have had some more new boxes built in the bottom barn. The new gallops are coping with all the rain very well and the horses are looking and feeling well (you can double check that with the staff!!!) Not too much else to report for the moment and we look forward to Cheltenham & Three Counties coming for a stable visit on Saturday, lets hope the weather is kind to them.

29th September 2009

Despite very little racing at the moment due to the ground we were very pleased with another very respectible run from Aspolan last week at Worcester. He really does give everything his best shot but unfortunately that means the handicapper never gives us too much back.

We had another very busy day on Saturday when we had a "Open Day" in aid of the Catholic Church Restoration fund in Hanley Swan. The event was well attended. Horses worked on the gallops, we did an equine swimming demonstration and had a small parade of horses finishing with coffee and shortbread in the garden. The intention could be do another Open Day in the Spring.


13th September 2009

Well we have all been really busy. I have been off on a shopping trip, and no not to "Selfridges" to buy handbags, I went off to Ireland to catch up with a few owners and friends and also fitted in Tattersals sales. I brought home 2 lovely young horses, one by Classic Cliche and a breaker by Definate Article. Both very nice sorts. We have had an influx of young horses which have come in recently including 2 lovely fillies by Sir Harry Lewis and a selection of young stock by Beat All. This week Andy has a maiden pointer coming over from Ireland who has run on the track and should relish the better ground pointing this side of the water.

What a surprise about Grenoli(Fr)being claimed out of the Southwell race. "Mr G" as we used to call him, we had hoped to picked up a little win with him somewhere along the line and at first, we were all quite disappointed to lose him out of the yard, but when we got over the idea and we knew he had gone to a good home we wish the Cornwell's well with him.

Supreme Presence has also been sold (for those of you who remember her) She has been lovely trainers hack who has excelled at flat work and I finally sold her to Abi Hawkins, one of our owners daughters who was coming off ponies. They both seem to be having a great time. I have very kindly been given Royal Hector, who Andy was keen to point. However his old legs have been given him a bit of grief and he is going to be my new hack and we if all goes well might even do a spot of show jumping and dressage.
Watch this space!!!

Catch you again - there's rugs to be done!!!

Since out last update the gallop has been completed and Olivier has been to retired from racing. He is off to Manchester to be a lady's hack.

We are currently sourcing youngsters for various syndicates and if anyone is interested please give me a call. We also have a smashing pointer which is being syndicated on a free lease. If the rain would only stop we would like to finish painting the point to point yard. Several of our under rules horses have had a good break over the summer and will come back into training in August, with the pointers not far behind and should start coming back in September.

The "Team" have been so busy recently the gossip column has been well out of date. However the good thing about that means there is alot to report. Firstly Andy and I, in February bought our yard from Mr Hitchings which has been very exciting and luckily Mr Hitchings is still our next door neighbour in the big house on the hill. As a result of this we have been busy extending our gallop and relaying the wood chip. By doing this it now means we have a completely new circuit on our gallop, which we cannot wait to try out.

We have also been very busy rehoming our older boys, to include Himself Dreams On, Linbergh Law, The Brooklet and Future Sovereign.

Himself has been very lucky and will spend the rest of his days near Ludlow doing flat work, jumping and some hunting in the winter. Serena Miller of the Midland Retired Racehorse Centre had him back in April and absolutely adores him. Linbergh Law has also fallen on his feet and is hacking out at Wigmore and will be going out with the Ludlow in the winter.

Future Sovereign is currently in a dressage yard in Devon and good old
Only for Joe is currently baby sitting the youngsters at Tyre Hill over the summer and will start doing some flat work in the Autumn.

No more to report at the moment - but I promise I will be back!!!


Time to catch up again - we really have not stop lately, Hereford Monday, Newbury Friday, Howick Saturday. The horses are all running very well but unfortunately Lady Luck has not been quite as kind as she might. Quousko de L'Isop got brought down at Hereford on his UK debut at Hereford which through no fault of his own was really not a nice experience first time on the race track.

Well at last we have some racing again. It is still along old trip to Thorpe but never mind it will all be kicking off near home soon.

The ground at Thorpe was not what we wanted and Premium First did n't take to kindly to it. Still if you don't try you don't know. There Ya Go ran a reasonable race having made a few blunders early on.

Monday saw the "under rules operation" at Ludlow. Novarra ran a cracking race for her new owner Kate Foster-Smith and we all enjoyed a good day. She will have a small break now before returning for some more racing in March. Our next outings are Chepstow on Friday depending just how desperate the ground gets and Chaddesley on Sunday weather permitting.

Oh my word - it has all been so boring, no racing and frozen water drinkers. It makes life very hard work. Never mind, things are getting back to normal and we are very excited about a busy pointing campaign at the moment. We will hopefully get to Barbury at the week end, and also have entries later in the month at Bangor and Thorpe. As for the under rules runners. We hope to be going to Huntingdon possibly next week and Chepstow at the end of January. Watch this space - hopefully there will be more to tell next time!!


At last I am back - it has been a very busy few weeks here at Tyre Hill. Clipping horses is a little like painting the fourth bridge, as soon as you have them all clipped they need doing again.

We have not had any runners for a day or two, for no particular reason.
The last race meeting was Cottenham and wow that was a little wet and cold. We were happy with our 3 runners. All Thyne Greats was unlucky to make a mistake at the third and it took poor Nick 4 jumps to recover his irons - it takes allsorts to be a jockey. They both did well to finish third and another day should see them there or there abouts. There Ya Go ran his first race over fences to finish a respectable 4th and hopefully learnt not too be over brave and Olivier,well the track did not really suit him,but he ran respectably under Claire Allen until she decided to pull him out at 3 out which was very much the right call.

We will hopefully be at Ludlow this week if the weather holds up and we might even get a first runner at Cheltenham if Aspolan gets in. The handicapper was not forgiving for the Uttoxeter run and so we could go see if Aspolan likes Cheltenham. There is only one way to find out!!

and next Sunday we set off to the Dunthrop meeting. (I hope it's not cold!!!)

Catch up soon.



Mixed review on Hereford. Action Spirit appears to have lost his way compltely over fences and luckily we are in a position to revert to hurdling as his handicap mark over hurdles is quite useful.

Langkawi Beach was given a great ride under Roddie to finish 3rd. We were quite happy with the run and shall be putting him over a longer trip next time.

We have entries at both Newbury and Uttoxeter on Thursday. Aspolan and Flowonlovelyriver. Both horses are working very well at home. We are also gearing up for the new point to point campaign, with 4 runners at Cottenham on Sunday!! Watch this space!!

Novarra did it again - she has given us our first winner, Ludlow on a wet Thursday was the only place to be!!! She did the job well under a terrific ride from Felix De Giles. She is excedingly well and giving little Becky in the yard some exhilarating times on the gallops.

Action Spirit went to Fontwell, chasing the better ground and basically the trip was just too far.

Himself Dreams On went to Leicester on Monday and I can safely say I have never learnt more about a horse in one day. This crazy tearaway who remodels the odd fence was foot perfect with his jumping and settled so well. Roddie Green rode and said if we are planning to run him over shorter trips on better ground we must be totally nuts. Roddie said he would stay for ever and the more testing the track the better! I had better re studying my Racing Calender. I have to say we are training him this year, unlike last year when he trained himself with a brave pilot!!!

I must close now, but if you have a moment we are back in Action tomorrow at Hereford. Action Spirit in the 2 mile chase and Langkawi Beach in the seller!!

Bye for now!!!


So sorry it has been so long since I updated the site but as the more informed will know it has been very busy and exciting times for us.

We certainly have had some thrills and spills and that is after only 3 runners.

To summarise :

Action Spirit - Southwell first runner, Timmy Murphy booked to ride, goes to post favourite. Well it all happens rather quicker than anticipated and I am not talking about it anymore!!!

Novarra - Stratford, she really is such a bonny little mare. The ground did not really suit her but she put her best foot forward and gave "Team Hobbs" their first first placed runner.

Tewkesbury - Uttoxeter - what a little gem he is. It was his first time over jumps and did us proud. Roddie got on with hime really well and he finished fourth after a few interfences from the winner.

We have also had several new horses arrived in the yard, Batang alovely looking German horse who is working very well at home. A lovely little un- named grey mare, who is a 5 year old who will have a go at bumpers and lovely young horse called Langkawi Beach arrived this afternoon.

With all these horses arriving we have had more loose boxes put up and
may be looking to increase the yard further at the end of November.

I must finish now, do the accounts and all that boring old stuff, but will be back sooner next time to update you on Fontwell, Hereford and probably Kempton runners.

Bye for now!!

Once again it has all been happening at Tyre Hill with new staff arriving and 2 extra boxes added to the point to point yard.
All the "under rules" horses are cantering and some of the pointers have also started this week. The "equine athletes" are very exciting this year, with plenty of new horses coming in. We intend to start work on the lower yard this week to allow more boxes for our "under rules" operation. We are hoping to have our first runner on 22nd October. Watch this space!!

Sorry I have been gone a while, but it has been manic at Tyre Hill.
We have finally finished the new schooling ground and used it for the first time last week. We are now upgrading 2 isolation boxes for the point to point yard.

As for the horses, Royal Hector comes into training on the 1st October. Our yard sponsor Bob Lanchbury has bough a nice 6 year old German horse, who will be ready to run fairly soon. Meanwhile Flowonlovelyriver, Coppingers Court, Himself & Tewkesbury are all taking their work very well.

We have also taken on Danny McVay who has come to us from Charlie Manns. We are still recruiting so give me a call if you are looking for full or part time work.

I must go now time for afternoon stables!!!



Rachel's blog page is taking a new format this season. It has been renamed "team talk" and on a weekly basis will just fill you with the daily thrills and spills of "Team Hobbs."
At present we are really busy getting the yard ready for our final British Horseracing inspection. The fences are being moved and rebirched. The plan for the lower yard and new boxes had been drawn up. A lot of painting, cleaning and organising not to mention the road work for the horses which are already in.
New horses have been arriving from New Zealand, Ireland, gosh it is all happening ( and next week even more arrive!) so watch this space, keep up to speed. You heard it first on the "Team Hobbs" website!!
Congratulations to Rachel Bryan & Henry Yardley who both work for us and have just got engaged!!!
 
Dingley 31st May 2008
Well it is that time again - the lasy day of the season. We have never been to Dingley before but we certainly quite liked the course. It was a beautiful day and we just managed to fit our lorry into the car park. We had just the two runners today, Saint Reverien and The Brooklet.
Unfortunately our "seconditus" stayed with us right to the tail end. Saint Reverien second, good old Brookie second. Poor old Brookie he deserved to win. Never mind they all returned safe and well, and all in all we have had an excellent season. We have had new owners, new horses, 17 winnres and goodness knows how many seconds!!!! Most of the horses have stayed sound, and most horses which have only had light campaign this year through injury should be back next year. So all we need to do now, is tidy the yard, do a little shopping (and no I do not mean handbags and shoes!!!) rough the team off, pair them up or send them home for the summer hols, whilst we also have some R&R so were fighting fit for next season. 
Altough the website won't be updated so regulalry over the holiday we will be back on line when the horses start coming in, and do keep up to speed as we recruit horses for sale or syndication over the summer. Any other yard news will be posted on my blog page also.
So wishing you happy hols.
Rach
Chaddesley Corbet 26th May 2008
Well what a lovely day in May for a nice picnic, bottle of wine and don't forget the sun glasses (I don't think!!!) Today was for die hards and over keen enthusiasts only.
Well the racing was good. We kicked off with Premium First scoring under Adrian Wintle in the confined. He went well and won the race quite comfortably.
Future Sovereign was a different cup of tea completely. I don't he was born to be a race horse, or some where along the way he decided his forte was not in the racing field. We have waited all season for the better ground and he has been working very well at home. A bit disappointing is about all that can be said and to move swiftly on.
We decided against running Saint Reverien on the ground and possibly take him to Dingley next week.
So our last two runners of the day were Himself Dreams On and Rusty Zaffaran in the restricted race. By 5pm the rain was getting into the ground and although "Himself" ran a great race, and did not put a foot wrong jumping, luck was again, not on ourside and we ended up the bridesmaid not the bride. At 3 out all was looking well, but the incline did not help our cause.  "Himself" stayed on stoically to the finish. Nick Oliver, who does all the work on him is convinced nothing would get close on a flatter track.
Rusty ran on to finish 5th he put up a great preformance but really does not act on this faster ground anymore.
So up to Dingley next week end, weather permitting, and then we will get the garden furniture out and have a break over the summer, provided we are blessed with a kinder season than last year.
 
Upper Sapey 18th May 2008
Another 2 runners today. Rusty Zaffaran in the Hunt Race who simply did not let himself down on the firm ground. He finished second. 
Olivier was in the Intermediate race. He was none too keen on the ground either, but he did start and he did finish, in front, which was a huge improvement on his last effort!!! He has now been put away for the season.
Bredwardine 17th May 2008
2 winners today!
Well the team did well today, with a little bit of help from Mr Wintle. Andy entered Sparklin Spirit for the Men's Open as there wasn't an intermediate race, and well what can I say other than Sparkie did not really need a intermediate race. After a bad blunder Adrian got hold of Sparks and he just took off and nothing could go with him.
Saint Reverien took the Brightwells Championship Race in his normal type of style. (You don't quite know what is going to happen until it's all over!) But again what a great horse.  I had a chat with Adrian at Upper Sapey and asked if he had nightmares, about the timimg required to ride Frenchie? Adrian said yes and that the timing is crucial, but he also said that riding Frenchie is like driving an Asten Martin and only using the first 3 gears. There is just so much more under the bonnet!!!
Premium First went into the Ladies race under Hannah Wintle. Unfortunately he probably went off a bit fast and did not finish his race as strongly as we would have liked. Well you can't win them all. (even if you would like to!)
Chaddesley Corbett 11th May 2008
A pleasant socialable day, just the one runner, and he's mine!!! The weather was beautiful, although a little hot for the horses. The ground was good to firm. We found ourselves a tree in the lorry park for a little shade. Himself had not sweated a bead in the lorry and remained very cool throughout. He ran very impressively but unfortunately made a terrible mistake at three out, which cost us dear.
We finished 2nd, which I was delighted with. It was Nick Oliver's first race ride on Himself (although he rides him alot at home) Whilst Nick was beating himself up about the mistake at 3 out. I could not praise the ride he gave the horse enough and the fact he stayed in the saddle!!!
I can honestly say I was very nervous before the race, very hot weather, very fast ground, a front running horse and to top the lot being number 13!!!! However my prayers for a sound horse and place were answered. The only unfortunate thing about the blunder was that  every other jump Himself  took was foot perfect, off the better ground, and it was such a shame the error came when it did, but that's racing.
Maisemore 5th May 2008
Well another busy day for "Team Hobbs" 7 runners, being managed by a very efficient transport crew, who spent alot of the day to and fro from Tyre Hill. Andy was gutted that the heavens had opened again over night. When we checked the going on Friday, all credit to the ground crew and Clerk of the course, Mark Wilesmith, the time and dedication, combined with some drier weather meant the track was a good a ground as you would have got anywhere all season but the rain had since put pay to all that.
Our first runner of the day being Future Sovereign, no excuses, but he really is slow as boat if he does not get quick ground - so what chance did he have?
Premium First - well done Mrs Wintle what a ride, shame the track was not slightly longer. Premium First chased Perouse home in the Ladies.
All Thyme Greats - very good horse, unfortunate to keep getting caught up in very competitve restricted's. He will be a much stronger horse next year. Third again.
The french man Saint Reverien- well what a star. If he had dug his toes in at the start none of us would have been surprised. He took a very heavy fall at Howick earlier this year and we were all just thankful he is still with us. He cruised home and gave Gentle Rivage something to think about in the Men's Open - tremendous performance.I think we have nearly forgotten his exploits or lac of them at Thorpe!!!
I never actually saw the race as the transport crew and the rest of Team Hobbs were back at the lorry saddling 3 for the next race. I think at one point there were 3 horses, 3 jockeys and and 3 ground crew on the lorry. I think "Trainer Hobbs" was quite impressed he didn't have anything to saddle when he arrived back at base beaming with frenchie!!!
Well hard work does not always pay off, and Olivier made fools of us all. He dug his toes in and was having none of it. It was bizare as he really did not show any reservations or worries at the box or in the paddock.
Good old Brookie, yet shame about the ground again, he really does need the better going. But let me put all those people who say he only runs at Maisemore, he doesn't. He came a good second at Upton, ran well at Siddington on ground he hated. He has the biggest fan club of all the horses in the yard and Nick Oliver said you could go into battle on Brookie. So good old brookie saved the race by coming home a respectible 3rd.
Cold Harbour 3rd & 4th May 2008
Well the weather still is n't very spring like, and again we have had to run horses on ground they just about tolerate - will it ever change? Sparklin Spirit did not seem to appreciate either the ground, the weather or maybe just the company who knows? He ran very poorly in the confined on Saturday and Adrian pulled him up. There are no excuses and no  answers,we just hope it goes down to a bad day at the office.Vaselli ran a cracking race in the restricted on the Sunday, on ground he really did not like. He finished 3rd and would have been there, or there about had he not mistakes at 2 & 3 out due to the ground. It really shows what a genuine horse he is. Let us just hope he gets some going to his liking before the end of the season.
Brampton Bryan 26th April 2008
We had not been on the road very long when the omens for the day were not looking good. A rather irrate white van driver tried to take us just outside Tesco, in Ledbury, and although we managed to avoid him, it was making up into one of those days when things just don't quite go your way!!!
We had deliberated all week Brampton, Woodford, Woodford, Brampton. Well the good news is all the horses returned ok, which at the end of the day is what it is all about.
Olivier has taken a few chances lately with his jumping, mainly because he hates the softer ground. However today he did not get away with it and poor old Adrian ended up eating turf for the second time in a day. This left us short of a jockey for Vaselli, in the restricted,which in retrospect it might have been a good thing as he also wants the better going.
My big fellow, Himself, ran very well considering he is a Phardante and up to the third last was up there where he made a bad mistake, which knocked the stuffing out of him. He was none the worst for it and will be back before long.
Bearing in mind the season is getting away from us now we are hoping and praying for better weather as all 13 of our runners still in training want the better ground. Be warned if we get our prayers answered.
It is a short and sweet piece today as I am dosed up to eye balls with lemsip as I am full of rotten flu.
 
Chaddesley Corbett 19th April 2008
Just the one today, Un Jour A Vassey and although he went to the race fit and well, he was not really having his best going day. He finished 5th in the confined, which was run in a fairly short time. Roll on next week end!
Maisemore 13th April 2008
The big one finally arrived and paid dividends!!!
Olivier produced the yard our first winner in Hunt Race. It was not what you would call a flawless performance, but he did win, and despite his high knee action, is yet another horse we have which does not jump out of the soft ground.
Philip York came down to ride two for us. "The Brooklet" and "Himself Dreams on", as Nick Oliver took a heavy fall at Bitterley yesterday.  Dear old Brookie he deserved all the trophies if you ask me. He is just so genuine, Philip gave him a good ride, but he could not lay up with pace on the softer ground on the home straight.
We then had a fair wait whilst we turned the box around and went home to fetch our second box of runners. All Thyme Greats ran in the restricted finishing 3rd and again hated the wretched ground.
The big moment then arrived, my first runner for the season. At this stage last year "Only For Joe"  was being roughed off, this year I have not yet had a runner. Anyway it was worth the wait. Philip York had to step in for Nick Oliver, which was such a shame, as Nick  has done all the work at home on this horse. Andy would describe "Himself Dreams On" as a real challenge on training front. He scared the life out of the 2 irish lads who worked for us, and I did promise the ride to whoever did all the work at home. "Himself" is a very large horse who arrived in the yard in very poor order last November. It has been a training feat to get him too the course, and a very brave man to take up the challenge to ride him. He is a great bute of a horse, who just sets off with his head down. For those of you at Maisemore you will note he does not have quite as much respect for his fences as you might like. Having said this, he has never fallen in his life, and both Nick and Philip said that for a big horse, he is extremely balanced. So, all this said, he ran the field ragged and just won from the front. I felt a little queasy during the race and will have to check " The Weekender"  for official distances tommorow. I will just say for the record, being a Phardante horse we think he prefers quicker ground too - so watch this space!
So too round off the day, Rusty Zaffaran followed up with winning the other division of the maiden. So all in all we had a great day, but we will save the celebrations for a evening when we are leass shattered. I can't even remember what we had for supper!!! (and no I had not been on the champagne - yet!!!!)
Bitterley 12th April 2008
Another busy week end ahead. Two runners today, five runners tomorrow. The ground isn't exactly what we wanted but our runners are fit and well and, well just when will it stop raining?
Vaselli, our debuntante from Ireland, was having his first run for the yard. He ran very well and finished 4th, however he really wanted quicker ground. Hopefully some spring weather will bring the ground sooner rather than later.
Premium First was Claire Allen's first ride back since that horrid fall at Bangor. He was not really on top form, finishing 3rd. He certainly did not relish the conditions and we can only hope the ground changes for our yard's fortunes.
The weather takes another meeting - let us just hope it will be re-scheduled.
Llanvapley 5th April 2008
Well we enjoyed a bit of sport today, with just the 2 runners. Future Sovereign (Adrian Wintle  in the saddle) ran in the intermediate, and although jumps very deliberately, did run better for the ground. We will be expecting alot more from him when the grounds firms up. Andy had his hands full during the prelimaries trying to re saddle Hannah Wintle's horse in the paddock, she was very grateful for the help when she won the race very easily.
Sparklin Spirit made the day and didn't he do it in fine style. He showed the way for the restricted and continued well on past the finish line and round again. His jumping was fantastic, if not a little too confident at times. It trually was an impressive performance. What a star he is proving to be. He is another of our horses that loves the better going.
Maisemore 30th March 2008
Well the big day has arrived and the weather has put paid to all well laid plans.
Paxford 24th March 2008
Well we never have alot of luck at Paxford and this year was no exception. Sparklin Spirit was travelling exceptionally well unshipped Nick Oliver. (with little to no chance of staying in the plate) However he is fit and well so we may well pull him out again next week.
Garnons 24th March 2008
Premium First won around Garnon's a couple of seasons ago under Julian Pritchard. Julian always said the horse hated the track, and as he decided not to put in a full day's work  - by refusing to travel up the hill for the third time, I guess Julian was right. He was an absolute monkey back at the lorry park and if he scopes ok this week will be back on the track before most of "Hobsey " horses do.
Upton 25th March 2008.
Well a touch more "seconditus" this week end. Un Jour A Vassey ran respectibly just a shame we did not pull it off completely. The highlight of the day, being everyone's favourite, dear old "Brookie" running an absolute blinder under Nick Oliver (what a great team - they are!!!) and even gave Gentle Rivage something to think about in the confined. Don't let it ever be said again "Brookie" only goes around Maisemore. Second in a good confined "Well done Brookie." 
 Busy week got to go and only 4 days to the big one!!!!
 Watch this space!!!!
Rachel
 
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