Oliver Greenall Racing Open Day, Saturday 22nd September 2018
Good evening all,
A couple of weeks back was the Open Day of a racing yard we are very privileged to spend time with, and one who has really given us a boost with our photography and website. Most of all though, the horses are fantastic, honest and hardworking, and while the same can be said for the staff, they are also in addition a great bunch of people that we enjoy spending time with. That team is Oliver Greenall Racing, and we were once again very grateful to attend their Open Day, so here is a short report on the day, and also a large gallery for you all to enjoy!
First up, after dropping off the cake that Tom had used his talents in the kitchen to provide for the team, and which one member of the staff in particular said was unbelievable ( thanks Jo, cheque's in the post! ), was a visit to see a horse, who is always popular, not just at the yard but also because of the bond he has with his lass Jo. That horse is Fort Jefferson, who had just been forced to retire due to an injury he suffered on the gallops that was whilst unfortunately career ending, thankfully it was nothing worse than that. It is a real shame to see any horse retire due to an injury, particularly when they are very young. In his case, he is only 5, so whilst it is a huge blow to all at the yard and his owners Racing Spirit that he will no longer race, especially given how enthusiastic he was when he visited a racecourse and how he was at the yard, at least the injury was nothing more severe, and that a loving home will be found for him, and he will make a wonderful show horse or hack. You will not find a more caring gentleman of a horse, so whoever does have him after he leaves the yard will be one lucky person/bunch of people.
After seeing the gentleman that Jeff is, it was time to pootle around and see the other talented individuals that are present at the yard. Ranging from new recruits to seasoned veterans, the yard has an exciting bunch of horses that are genuine, hard working and enthusiastic, who will be winning plenty of races and scoring placed efforts in many a race, both under Rules and point to point codes.
3. De La Vega Filly 4. Katebird 5. Rock Warbler 6. Never A Word 7. Helf 8. Mi Laddo 9. Court In Matera 10. Horses in the field
Soon it was time for a schooling demonstration, provided by the yard's Conditional jockey Ross Turner on board Cave Top and amateur jockey Cai Williams riding Leskinfere. Both horses have bright futures over fences, and it was nice to see them school so well in front of the assembled crowds. Leskinfere seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself over the fences, attacking his obstacles and showing all the enthusiasm any owner and trainer wants to see from their athlete.
11. Cave Top and Ross Turner 12. Cave Top and Ross Turner 13.Cave Top, Ross Turner, Leskinfere 14. Cave Top and Ross Turner 15. Leskinfere and Cai Williams 16. Leskinfere and Cai Williams 17. Leskinfere and Cai Williams
After a quick pause in proceedings it was time for the parade of horses, which was very well received by all those in attendance.
18. Parade of horses - Mi Laddo 19. Parade of Horses - Cai and Katebird. 20. Parade of Horses - Mick and Vereina. 21. Parade of Horses - Mick and Vereina. 22. Parade of Horses - Desert Sting 23. Parade of Horses - Ross, Lauren 24. Parade of Horses - Ross, Lauren 25. Parade of Horses - Late Romantic 26. Parade of Horses - Late Romantic 27. Parade of Horses - Cave Top 28. Parade of Horses - Spirit Of Wat 29. Parade of Horses-Mick and Go Steady. 30. Parade of Horses - Cai and Quarr 31. Parade of Horses - Debrouillard 32. Parade of Horses - Leskinfere 33. Parade of Horses - Leskinfere 34. Parade of Horses - Leskinfere 35. Parade of Horses - Leskinfere 36. Parade of Horses - Lauren and Ar 37. Parade of Horses - Lord County 38. Parade of Horses - Lord County 39. Parade of Horses - Western Morning 40. Parade of Horses - Western Morning 41. Parade - Ross, Cai and First Up 42. Parade - Ross, Cai and First Up 43. Mic and Tim Rocco 44. Parade - Mick and Tim Rocco 45. Parade - Mick and Tim Rocco 46. Parade - Shadow Sadness 47. Parade of Horses - Shadow Sadness 48. Parade of Horses - Shadow Sadness 49. Parade of Horses - Zalvados 50. Parade of Horses - Zalvados 51. Parade of Horses - Asking Questions. 52. Parade of Horses - Asking Questions. 53. Parade - Lauren and Bronzallure 54. Parade of Horses - Twotwothree 55. Parade of Horses - Twotwothree 56. Parade of Horses - Cawthorne 57. Parade of Horses - Shady Character 58. Parade - Cai and Miss Delighted 59. Parade - Cai and Miss Delighted 60. Parade - Cai and Miss Delighted 61. Parade of Horses - Blue Ballerina 62. Ross, Lauren & Unnamed Filly 63. Parade of Horses - Shotgun Sally 64. Parade of Horses - Oliver Greenall 65. Parade of Horses - Down Under 66. Parade Of Horses - Jo and Ericsbar 67. Parade Of Horses - Jo and Ericsbar 68. Parade Of Horses - Jo and Ericsbar 69. Parade Of Horses - Unnamed 70. Desert Sting
After the parade has concluded it was time for food, drinks and a bit of socialising with attendees. And as we were about to leave, there was time for a few more photographs with a horse who loves being the centre of attention, Jeff, and his doting, loving lass. If anyone ever tells you these animals aren't loved, and are only used for racing, then these pictures will disprove that myth in a split second. No one adores these animals as much as the staff who spend the majority of their day with the animals, making sure they are fed, watered, looking impeccable and their beds are clean and fresh, among many other tasks. Without these hard working people, there simply wouldn't be any racing for us mere mortals to enjoy. We owe everything to them, they are the unsung heroes of the sport.
Jo and Jeff
Our sincere thanks once again go to all the team at Oliver Greenall Racing for the invite and for opening the yard for everyone. It's always a pleasure to visit the team, and we hope that these images do say at least a small deal of our gratitude and appreciation for the day.
Best of luck for the season team!
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