Moody's owners day

Sunday 13/5/2012 I slept 12 hours last night.....dear me I must of been tired. At 10am I walked over to the yard, the owners day started at 10! When I got there all the owners were there walking around and looking at the yearlings. There were 20 yearlings there that Mr moody had bought with his wife Sarah. The idea of this owners day was that all the yearlings were being paraded, and if anyone wanted to buy them they could. It was very intresting seeing how it's done over here. Peter was talking and explaining everything, he said that he had bought all these himself and he doesn't have a blood stock agent. I had a program with all the breeding and their pictures. Everyone of the 20 horses were paraded. Few of them hadn't been handled much and just come in from the field last night. They all looked a picture, nice coat and filled out. In the program it had all the prices that hed paid for them.. He didn't want to make a profit, he was happy enough to sell them for the same price or even go in a syndicate with few owners. A new rule came out this year that you could have up to 20 people in a synricate. Up till now you could only have 10 people! He did explain a little bit about a trainer that got into trouble after selling a horse to an owner and after some time the horse suffered an injury. But the owner found out that someone knew of a few X-rays that had been taken when the horse was younger and he had an injury before. But no one had told the new owner. Anyway- Peter was just explaining that non of these horses had been veted or been seen by a vet and they all were sold as seen! Mr Moody had bought 50% of 5 colts off another Mr Moodie....Mr Moodie is a breeder and is a very successful man and had a successful business ! He's had many winners with Peter Moody and other trainers. But Mr Peter Moody saw few colts in the field and decided he liked 5! Moodie the breeder tends to sell his colts and keeps his mares and fillies. They've had this system for years! It works well. if no one wanted to buy these horses they would still be trained and owned by Mr Moody. They were all well behaved and it was a successful morning. Soon after it was finished we had a few drinks and a BBQ. It was lovely seeing everyone. Peter Courtney is the lorry driver for Mr Moody and he travels all over the country, racing, sales and different yards. I went up to him and asked him if I could go with him in the lorry to take these youngsters back home. So I did. Myself and Nelia went for a drive to the country about an hour and half away to take five of the colts back to Mr Moodies ( breeder) stable. Well....it was unreal. Great set up. Horses, mares foals, fields, gallops and land everywhere!! It was massive! We unloaded the five and had a walk around. It was great to see it all. We then came home but Peter ( driver) had to pick up another 5/6 to go an another yard about an hour away ( Tom the 2nd assistants dads place, he trains himself and pre trains Moody's horses). It's been a very busy day for the moody camp. When I got back at 3.30 the queen black caviar was home safe and sound in her stable!!! it's raining and very windy outside so night in for me tonight. I'm not able to load any pictures on here for some reason. But I'll sent up an album on Facebook if you'd like to see them. Chat soon!

Will she make it 21 out of 21??

Big day today, the mare black caviar is having here 21st run and is looking for the record of 21 wins. Exiting! Hope she does it and comes home safe and sound!! Lovely sunny day today, 3.30 start and I mucked out 3 this morning before putting my riding gear on. I went out on the first horse on my own and done steady work. Which was fine, saw Tony up the tower as Mr Moody had gone to Adelaide with Black Caviar. The mare angel worked well. Took her back and myself and Marie took our tack over to yard A where our second horses were. These two were working on the track, sprit work, over a distance. It was good, i don't think I've ever been so fast. We worked over 600 meters and we had to do it to a certain time. Tony was clocking us but Marie had a bleeper on her helmet which beeped every second so she could count from certaint places to work out if we are going the right speed. I couldn't of counted and hold mine, I was concentrating so much on hold my lad and breathing, ha ha sounds silly but sometimes I don't breath!!! They both worked well and back we went to see Tony. Everything was good. Cool down on the trotting sand and back home. Next two horses were 2year olds, my first time riding a two year old and she was doing fast work over further, 800 meters! She was very small, narrow and no neck. Maybe a little weak but worked well but she did tie up a little. I felt it went we were trotting around the sand on our cool down. I stopped on my way back and told Tony. I went back and told Nick and the feed man what I thought. They came to me later and said thank you for noticing and to say that she had tied up!! Our last two were both 2year olds again and they were only doing easy work, trot half and canter half. Good day so far, I went back to the main yard and groomed 5 horses and swept up and we were done at 8.30! Home time and I've got tonight off and tomorrow off too. They are racing at caulfield today but I'm not sure whether I'll go. Little tired after going out last night. Plus tomorrow it's their owners/open day. Starts at 10 and they parade all the yearlings for all the owners and hopefully sell them.:-) should be intresting! Chat soon!

11/5/2012

Hey guys, it's 10-45 and I'm at home chilling. Had my breakfast and now I'm going to relax till 1-45 till I need to leave for evening stables! This morning I started at 3.20 and put some bridles and head collars outside the doors. Then I mucked out three stables and took their water buckets out and their feed bowl. The feed man goes around at 3.45 and feeds the horses but leaves the feed outside so when they've done their work and they go back in their stables they person putting them in can also give them their breakfast! The water buckets get filled once the mucking out is done. And then again at 8.30 they get topped up before we go home for breakfast! They all have one big bucket of water each. I rode three this morning, the first horse I tacked up myself, they have a non slip, towel and a big blue and white pad, saddle and then they have a girth and an over girth just like we'd have if they were racing. I went out with another girl, we saw Mr Moody up the tower and he told us what to do. 2 1/2 A sand...which means, trot half way round and canter half and we do that twice, on the A sand gallop, that's what it's called. Then to cool off we went on the sand for a trot. We brought them back and took them for a swim, two laps and took them for a roll and wash off. Second horse I had was doing easy work, half trot and half canter but on a different sand gallop. They also finished by going on the cool down trotting area. My third horse was a mare that "tighs up" which means he's muscles get tight and very sore. Because this happens the mare had to swim two laps before I rode her just to warm her up before galloping. I took her for a trot, half way around and then a steady canter the other half. Same thing again after each horse has worked they go on the trotting sand to cool down! When I took her back she went for a swim but only one lap. I had a fourth horse today in the rain....! Not happy as I didn't have my waterproofs on!! Soon after I finished riding I changed my gear and walked up to the tower to see Mr Moody. He was watching a few horses going through the stalls. They do this a lot, just top make sure they know how and what they are doing. Once the gates open they fly out and work up till the line. I think it was 6 furlongs long today! We went to see the jockeys to see what they thought. Very intresting. Peter and i got talking about horses with sore shins, they would normally throw them out in the field for a few weeks/months depending on how bad they were and how much work they'd done. They had one horse leave yesterday to go to a different yard because his leg was very hot and sore but they did scan it, but found nothing. He's gone up to use a water walker. The water would come up to their knees maybe above and they walk abound in it. It great they say, keeps a certain level of fitness without putting too much pressure and strain on their legs. We both walked back together and went to yard a and b just to see everyone and check few things.. Everything was ok. I dressed 7 horses this morning, and made sure their legs were ok, no heat, cuts ect. They all have bibs to wear under their rugs, then theyv got a thin sheet and then theyv got their heavy rugs. They don't have belly straps on their rugs only leg straps ! Today they all had their heavy rugs on during the day. While the horses get dressed they guys go around and skips them out and gives thm their hay while they are out in the stalls/tigh ups! Last job after the yard is finished is to go around all the horses to put they mud on their legs. From their knees down. I did ask how much a bucked was but tony didn't know. They would go through a lot in a week! 99 horses having it everyday!!! Then a lovely walk back in the sun. Off out tonight to the city. Hope the rain stays away!

Look out....it's a fox!!!!

Rode three this morning after mucking out 4. I rode out hussy first lot, she was only going once around the sand track and trot around the trotting area before going back for a swim and a walk. She was a nice mare didn't pull too hard, I don't think I could of stopped her if she did I'm sore all over. It's like as if I haven't ridden in months. As we were going around the sand we saw about 3/4 foxes.... Couldn't believe it. They say that that's normal, there always out playing and eating!! My second lot was angel, I was told to go out on my own and do exactly the same, but I went to see tony up the tower and he said ' Oi welshy....don't mess it up ok!' he did have a big smile on his face when he said it. Off I went but Emma and Lisa were doing the same work so we went together. She was a lovely mare. Took her back but i met shaun on my way, he took the horse and said got and get ur third horse he's tacked up in 'b' barn. Gibbo was a colt, he was to go around the pony ring, 1 trot 2 canters and 1 trot to finish. Emma was on another colt so we went out together. It was nice to chat to her, she rides out from 4-9 and then she goes in the office till 5! Long day for her. There isn't a horse there that would do the same work 2days running. It's always different. After that lot I went back to the yard and dressed three horses. Then the vet came so I went to see what was going on today. Few X-rays and few injections...very intresting. I'm not sure whether he likes me asking him so many questions! Black caviar is leaving the yard tonight. It takes about 9 hours in the box. She runs Saturday!hope it's 21 out of 21 for her! I got done around 9.30 after doing the bandaging. Yesterday was a good day out. We left in the lorry at 12.30 with two horses. It took half an hour to get there. Once they got there they unloaded and the vets took blood off the horses for a routine check. This is random, some days but they do take blood from selected horses every meeting. They get tied up in a stall, very similar to our saddling boxes till they get tacked up. The two lads had to wait with them till the race. One of the horses had a little cut on his hind joint, it was old but need wrapping up. Tom was busy doing that and then he had a needle and thread and he was sowing the bandage up. It's a rule there that it has to get done just incase it comes off during the race and cause problems! They dont declaire over there, if it doesn't run it has to be shown by 8.30am and if something goes wrong after that they would need a vet certificate ! They both ran ok, 6th and 7th but everyone was happy enough with them. We left soon after the last and went home. Was good to see how it's done over here. Finished the evening by going out with friends as one is leaving tomorrow . Long day and I'm tired. Off to bed till 1.30 I think. It's very warm today I should be sat in the garden but I need my bed. Night all!

I think I need some weetabix!!!!!

3.20 start this morning again, it was very warm this morning. Never gess who I mucked out this morning..... The queen her self, black caviar. I don't think I've been so proud to say I've mucked a horse out before! Ha!!! Anyway I mucked 4 out this morning and then tony the assistant told me to go and get my riding gear on. He was laughing at me all morning taking the mick all the time calling me Irish!! Not sure whether it's cus I'm so stupid or he thinks I sound Irish. Never mind!! It's good to have a laugh! I rode troi, everything was going well intill another horse passed us on the gallop and my lad took off, well I was weak as.... I don't know! Mr moody was watching from the tower no dought! I managed to pull him up and then we went for a trot around the sand too cool off. It's very different to what I'm use too. The work, the gallops the speed. I felt like I was going flat out but we wer only cantering !!! Hopefully I'll soon get into it. I had Dave the old man looking after me. It was only use two going out together. But the horse that passed me was from another yard. I took troi back and took him for a swim. I was handed another horse to ride so off I went. My arms were like jelly but I had to go and gallop this one. Luckily he was doing easy work, I'm not sure why. But we trotted for a while then cantered half the track followed by a cool down on the other sand circle. I saw Mr moody and he asked if everything was ok. Took him back to do two laps in the pool and a wash and a walk. Tom then came to get me to go around selected horses to check their legs ect. He told me to go in and see what I thought of their legs. We did agree on most of them. He had a list of all the horses we were worried about and got the vet to check them. But before the vet came Mr Moody came and told Tom a few things about few horses and he changed the list, few horses had to move yards and few out in the field. Mr Moody had to rush off to catch his flight up to brisbourne to the other yard to check the horse out up there. I'm not sure when he's back. Then with the list we had about the horses that needed to be seen by the vet we had to talk to the racing manager to see when they are likely to run. 8.15am the vet came, trotted about 5 up and there and then he decided that few needed treating. I won't say too much as I don't think they will like me saying too much, even though everything they do is totally legal! what I noticed was, if the vet thought he needed something doing, it gets done there and then. I was asked to trot a few up and then to bandage two horses. Which I did with someone holding them. Everyday every horse has mud/clay on their legs, some from the knee down but some has all four legs. Keeps them cool and takes out any swelling or bruising! I met the back man that treats all Moody's horses and comes at least once a month, very intresting to watch. I left the yard at 9.45- little late today because the vet had a few to treat. I'm going back to meet the lorry at 12.30 to go racing to sandown! We've got two runners. I'm exited and looking forward. Chat tmz guys got to go!

Meeting Mr Moody and my first day at the trials

Hey peeps! Another 3.30am start at the stables and I put all the bridles out in front of the doors! Then I went and mucked out, as I was going from one stable to the next I bumped into Mr Moody! I said good morning and introduced myself to him. Then off he went, very busy time for him at this time of the morning! Three jockeys were in today as its a Tuesday and it's a gallop day! Black caviar was working first and luke was on her, then she went down the beach just to stand in the sea. At 6.45 I went over to the tower to where Peter was, It was able to see what the trial day is all about! Peter came up to me and said thank you for the book I gave him. I brought a book of old stables in Newmarket for him to say thank you for having me for the three months. He said he had a quick look at it this morning at 1am. He came back from hong kong at 10pm last night and was in the office till 1am and then had hour and half sleep. He then explained what the trial run was. It happens every Tuesday and today he had about 14 horses in the trials. There wwere 7 trials in total. They go in the stalls and then they race for three furlongs agains other horses from other yards. There not always 3 furlongs. The jockeys had silks on for us to knows who's who. Peter and his racing manager will watch closely and time all the horses and record them so they can decide if they are good enought and when they are ready to run. The work riders trot the horses around the sand to warm the horses up for the jocks to jump on them to go and 'race'. Peter told me to follow him and talk to the jockeys and owners. The tower was full of trainers jocks and owners. It was a good atmosphere! Peter was the joker of the pack. He soon laughed at me and joked around which was good! He introduced me Linda, Luke and Jason they are his jockeys. I was there from 6-45 till 9 am with mr moody, I had time to ask him a few things. One question I asked was ' why don't you use/like walkers?' he told me ....what are legs for, people can walk them. He also said he uses the pool, he likes the pool and it works well for him. That's answer did make me laugh. He's a kind, happy and a pleasant man as far as I can see. There was one horse he was very disappointed with and told me he will be out of training now. No point waiting time with something that's going to run like that. That's how professional he is, he knows his horses and knows his job. He knows when he sees a good one. The trial day is a good thing as it gives everyone an idea what theyv got. But also he told one jock to give it a good squeeze and give it a slap to see how good it is but then to the other one he said ' this educational run, don't be hard on her" I really enjoyd my morning with him. I'm now sat in the garden in the sun with my friends! Lovely day today:-)

Monday morning on the track

Hey guys I was having a great day in till about 3 minutes ago when I finished writing my blog( it was about three a4!!!!!!! Long) and lost it Anyway I'll just have to do it all over again!!!!! Right, my morning started off great, I got up at 2.50 and got to work at 3.20. I was the first one there except Tom of course. I went and helped him put all the bridles and the head collars out side each stable ready for the stable staff to put on the horse whilst mucking them out! After that I went and mucked out 2 stables, as I was going to my third Tom shouted over, 'cat come to the tower'. Great I thought, the tower is where all the trainers and assistants and the owners go to see their horses work! I was lost... It's such a big set up here and there's 5/6 different tracks or circles you could work on. But as the morning went on I got to understand a little more. There were horses everywhere . But the first horse I saw out working was Black caviar I took some binoculars and didn't take my eyes off her. Very impressive. The same lad rides her everyday unless the jockey comes and rides her! All the work riders start at 4am but that's all they do is ride them and then the stable handlers come and take the horse back and there will be a horse there waiting for them to jump on again. The horses get worked then go for a swim then go for a roll in the sand pit before getting washed off and walked in hand. Tom has a work list that's been organised the night before with 99 horses names and their riders and what each one is suppose to do! It's very well organised and it works like clock work. Back at each yard there's a copy of this list up on the bored so everyone can see and they all know what to do. Tom had a Walkie talkie and two phones and communicates with the head people back on the yards. Mr Moody is still not back but he's on his way back now I'm sure, from Hong Kong and Tony the assistant had that day off today and that's why Tom was up in the tower keeping an eye on everything. Every time a rider passed the tower Tom would open the window just to double check the rider knows exactly what his horse needs to do. It's a Monday morning which means they aren't doing much, trot around the sand circul and go for a canter and then back on the sand before going back home! One thing I did notice was how well behaved all Moodys horses are, some were some that we're a little fresh but it's a Monday, they only swim on a Sunday! And also how tidy all the staff looked all in their unifom. All the horses had white and blue bridles and white and blue saddle pads. The riders all had reflectors vests on all with Moody written on. This made all the other trainers look very untidy. It's a good way to work out who's who's. I did meet a few trainers this morning and saw their work. Up in the tower they had the racing on from yesterday where we had two winners. Congratulations to the connection of soul mama and Daley who both posted impressive wins at sale yesterday! This is a very good system Moody has got, great trainer, great horses and most of all great staff. This is very important, you need good staff to be on the ball all the time and to know what's going on and to do their job properly !! They do have four ponies that would only lead out the horses that's raced two days ago or going to race and they just trot around the sand gallop of their own or go for a steady canter. This is to keep the horse moving without doing too much and keep the weight off their backs! They have 4 ponies in at a time, but they get changed regularly because they are old retired race horses and they do work hard. Some would lead two or three or maybe four in a day. We have two runners today but they both got ridden, only light work and back they went for a bath and a walk to dry off and in for their breakfast. They can relax before traveling to the races. Next thing a big alarm went off.....loose horse!!! Good idea because everyone knows whats going on. We had two this morning but not from our yard. Horses and riders were all ok. From the tower you can see everything around you, with the lights, being high up and binoculars you would miss a thing. When each rider has finished they pass the window again and if they have something to report they tell Tom and he writes it on the work sheet so they can asses later with Tony or Mr Moody eg cough, lame, made a wind noise or keen. Tom then gave me stop watch because theres two horses running on Wednesday and they needed to do some work this morning. They time them work and record it all on their records. Each rider that's going a bit of work has a red flashing light on their helmet so we can see where they are. The two that were working have different trips so they worked differently. One went a steady gallop to the 8 furlong marker and then quickend up till the 2 marker and then swung on till the finishing line! What I had to time was from the 8marker to the 2 marker till the finish! Then the other one worked from the 6 marker to the 2 marker then home. My watch wasn't far wrong compared to toms! I might get better after three months!:-) By 8am we had 99 horses out and finished with their swimming, roll, wash and a walk! That's what I called organised! Tom them went back to three yards to see if everything was all ok and if the vet was needed. The vet comes in everyday at 8am. Today he had one to scope and see a few to trot up! The farrier comes in everyday too, I noticed that theres a list for him too do everyday. Suppose thers 99horses to keep on top off! When we came back to the yard Tom sent me to bandage 6 horses ( hes giving me responsibility already, which is great) nothing was too bad, just few bumps and cuts! Im really enjoying this experience ! I can't wait to meet Mr Moody I've got so many things I want to ask him. I hope I don't annoy him too much! Tom has been a great help to me. He's keen for me to get as much out of this as possible. He would love to get a scholarship and go to England. Hes going to be a trainer in time. His dad is a trainer over here but has only a smal team but is very successful with what he's got. We were done by 9.15! Chat soon peeps