WHILE it has been a quiet week on the racing front there has been plenty to keep me occupied! Last Monday I played in the Jim Old CharityGolf Day with former employees Ken Rixon and Tim Eades in my team and our fourth member was Tim’s brother, Simon. I have been playing in this competition for many years with not a lot of success but I am pleased to report that we did well this time around and actually finished third of nearly 50 teams!

Jumps racing’s mini-break comes to its end this weekend with action returning at Market Rasen and Perth on Saturday. Rebel Angel was our sole runner in the last week, and she did not run too badly but was unplaced, finishing fifth for the third time in a row! Jockey Cieran Fallon said she handled the ground but would probably want it a little softer. She has also run quite a few times so is going to have a little holiday now.

Our first runners of this week will be on Saturday, with jumps racing returning at Market Rasen. We have some entries there and Ocean Heights also has an entry on the flat at Newbury. Keep checking the Daily News for the latest information of the stable runners.

Last week Jack and I crossed the Irish Sea to visit Gordon Elliott as well as visiting Ballydoyle, Coolmore and the Curragh. We stayed the night with Gordon firstly and then headed South to just outside Cashel to stay with friends Andrew and Polly.

We were treated to a wonderful tour of Ballydoyle, watching the first lot and then having breakfast with Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore.

Jack said the highlight of the tour was meeting dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin and City of Troy but there was so much to take out of the visit and he hasn’t stopped smiling since.

We got to meet young aspiring jockey Rian Corcoran who is over there for the summer and will be joining back with us for the winter. It has been a great learning experience for him as well so early in his career.

On Friday afternoon we visited the mighty Coolmore stud and got to meet No Nay Never, Camelot and Australia.

Jack particularly liked meeting Australia as he is the sire of his recent purchase, African Lady. Following an evening out in Cashel we went racing at the Curragh on the way back to the airport. There was a double for the O’Brien team so it capped a lovely couple of days.

My son Jack recently purchased African Lady from the sales and he is still looking for an owner for her! She has had just a handful of starts in Ireland over hurdles showing promise and is now ready to make her handicap debut in Britain off a rating of 92. She is just a four year old but has plenty of size and scope and has done all that we have asked of her since she arrived. She is available to buy for £6,000 + VAT (plus sales extras). Get in touch with the office 01884 840715 or email [email protected] to get involved with this great value mare who could be running in your colours very shortly!

The funeral of Dennis Dummett, a former head lad and friend of Pond House, will take place on Friday 23rd August at All Saints Church Culmstock at 1.30pm. There will a celebration of his life at the Cleve Hotel, Wellington, afterwards from 3pm. Everyone is welcome.

Racing column written by Dave Pipe