SAVOIRE VIVRE (GB) filly from a RORY’S JESTER Mare who has already thrown several good winners.

Late foal but well grown. PRICE – $6600

TOUGH SPEED – TOTNESS filly (from a full sister to multiple sw WEASEL WILL) . Neat, compact filly – late foal but will mature to around 15.2.  PRICE – $4400

HELIKE – ELFIN HILL (by Danehill) colt. Lovely, strong, compact bay colt. Looks like he may go early as he’s built like a tank! Great temperament and workmanlike attitude – has had half a yearling prep so well handled and ready to go on to the broken in now. Half brother to multiple winner SON OF VISCOUNT.  PRICE – $6600

HELIKE – LA TOURELLE chestnut filly. Beautiful correct filly. Half sister to multiple SW’s  WEASEL WILL and DARTINGTON. Residual broodmare value once she’s finished racing. PRICE – $11,000

enquiries – ROBYN WHISHAW  0419100634

SIMON SAID LET’S GO (Savoire Vivre – Mighty If) bred by John and Claire Farrell of Hobart, started the ball rolling with a solid performance to win the Maiden over 1100m by 3/4 length from HELIKE’s son PERON DUNES.

BANCA MO (Tough Speed – I Gotcha Babe) easily won the Benchmark 78 over 1600m with McCoull in the saddle, for owner Mandy Gunn and trainers David and Scott Brunton.

HUON KNIGHT (Savoire Vivre- Classic Grades) once again showed his class to win the 3 year old Autumn Classic over 1400m with McCoull and Bruntons teaming up once again for a spot in the winners circle. TOUGH KISSES (Tough Speed – Count The Kisses) ran a good second in the Super VOBIS bonus race.

Armidale bred mare ROYAL MISWAKI won the ST LEGER over 2100m from BEVEN HEIGHTS (by Grand Royale) bringing her total of wins this preparation to 6.

SAVOIRE VIVRE has skipped away to a clear lead in the Tasmanian Sires premiership with 81 runners for 39 individual winners of over $1,127,900.

Lovely to see a mare Armidale bred now making a mark as a broodmare! At Morphetville the winner of the LAELIA STAKES over 1600m for 3 year olds, was LUCKY PENNY by Keep The Faith from WHITE HART LANE. We bred WHITE HART LANE (by Flying Spur from ESCAPADA) and sold her at Melbourne Premier. She was an above average racehorse winning in the city and stakesplacing in Adelaide, and now she has thrown 2 good metropolitan winners this season.

Another class Armidale filly is listed in the Magic Millions Broodmare catalogue to be auctioned on the Gold Coast at the end of May. Multiple Group 3 winning Two Year Old TRIPLE ASSET (Nadeem – Caralowe) will no doubt attract plenty of interest from the major studs looking for a commercial speed pedigree. CARALOWE is currently in foal to Nadeem carrying a full relation to TRIPLE ASSET. Armidale have a nice correct Churchill Downs weanling colt to sell at next years sales.

Then today at Elwick Armidale Sire SAVOIRE VIVRE  had a treble with MOLVIVRE, THIS MOMENT and HUON KNIGHT all winning. Just as importantly these 3 horses were all born and reared at Armidale Stud.

Off to Sydney tomorrow for the Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale and am particularly interested to see ‘our’ bonny mare LADY LYNETTE go through the auction ring. No doubt some of the larger breeders will be keen to secure a mare of her calibre, because mated to any commercial stallion her progeny would make Easter Select.

Great racing at Randwick today with Lonhro extending his lead in the sires table thanks to his outstanding three year  old son PIERRO who defeated a rather luckless ALL TOO HARD who missed the start by several lengths.

Yes the World Cup was pretty amazing, but racing in Dubai lacks the ‘heart and soul’ and atmosphere of Australian racing. Why? Well I think its a combination of things – the fact that only the very wealthy (ie Sheiks) can afford to race horses in Dubai, there is no betting, and racing is relatively new so it has no real ‘history’ to it. There is no doubt the facilites are amazing, and Meydan must be one of the world’s best racecourses, but you just can’t buy atmosphere. The grandstand is so huge at Meydan that it was only half full and that certainly didn’t help with atmosphere. It seemed as if the Australian contingent (about 12 people all sitting behind us) were the only ones that felt able to stand up and yell in a race – everyone else was pretty subdued.

Now we really did stand up and cheer when Ortensia released her powerful burst of speed to come from last to win the sprint on World Cup night.  What a wonderful win and a great training feat by Paul Messara.

How great was it to arrive home to a beautiful blue sky and green paddocks? – something you just don’t see in Dubai. Yes it pays to travel occassionally if only so you realize what a great place home is!

WE have both pulled up surprisingly well after a fairly good session on the cocktails last night. Jen started off with a whisky and I had my usual rum, but our big mistake was to move onto the MAI TAI’s! The drink looks harmless enough, and is almost sickly sweet as it contains quite a bit of fruit juice which seems to effectively mask the alcohol content, at least for the first few sips. Jen said she can remember thinking that I couldn’t hold my drinks very well, when it suddenly “hit her” and she can’t remember many more details of the evening. Anyway we got to bed safely and neither of us have hangovers this morning so that’s a relief. We did come across a wedding reception next to the beach last night as we went for our evening stroll – the flowers were simply amazing and obviously no expense had been spared. They even had a fairy floss machine for the guests!!!??? Goodness – what will they think of next?

It will be sad to leave this lovely hotel today – we have had a very relaxing 4 days with plenty of laughs and lots of reading, swimming, and the odd drink or two. One thing that has struck us is that the ‘workers’ (ie hotel staff, taxi drivers, shop assistants etc) here in Dubai are so very polite and courteous and anxious to help you. It’s worth noting that none of them are Emirates, but all seem to come from other countries such as the Phillipines, Thailand, China, and Pakistan. The sad thing is when you ask them how they like it here not one has said that they enjoy it – they would all rather be at home, but finances dictate otherwise. Many of the women seem to have left children at home with parents and come out here to work to support the family. How fortunate we are in Australia.

Great to hear that Artie Schiller has his first Group 1 winner of the Rosehill Guineas in Australia today. He is a magnificent horse and we are thrilled that our bonny racemare WITH DECORUM is in foal to him.

“I’m not dreaming of winning it. I will win it. CAPPONI ia  a big horse who is improving with every race and likes the surface (Tapeta). He did it in  a Group 1 last time over the same trip, so I don’t see why he can’t do it again.”

Glamorous female jockey Chantal Southerland downplayed the tough task of winning from barrier 14 on third favourite (10 to 1) GAME ON DUKE, runner up in the Breeders Cup Classic. Chantal will make history whether she wins or not, as the first female jockey to ride in the race.  Bob Baffert, GAME ON DUKE’S trainer is now out of Dubai hospital after heart surgery following a heart attack early on Monday morning. He has been quoted as saying he needs to win the race to cover his medical expenses!

Yesterday’s local papers gave racegoers tips on what to wear on the big day ! Hats are listed as a MUST so thankgoodness we both have one.  The main prize for the ladies fashion stakes winner is a years use of a luxury car in the UAE which isn’t much use to anyone living outside the country! Disappointing really as Jen and I thought we were in with a chance in the fashion stakes!!! Now we will just have to watch from the sidelines and wonder what might have been.

Great to see the Armidale stallions continuing to add to the long list of winners at home with SEAL THE PLAN (Ladoni), MISWAKI CALL (Tough Speed), TUKTOYAKTUK (Savoire Vivre) and BEVEN HEIGHTS (Grand Royale) all winning at Mowbray on Wednesday evening. Yesterday at Geelong YELLOW TAGH (Telesto – Sunset Clause) won for trainer Mark Webb.

SAVOIRE VIVRE has cleared out to a comfortable lead in the Tasmanian Sires premiership with winners of almost 1 million in stakes.

Last night whilst we were on the hotel balcony sipping our pre dinner cocktails ( life is unbelievably tough here!) we witnessed the most amazing 10 minute fireworks display. It was equal to the Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks – they certainly don’t do anything by halves in Dubai. When we enquired as to the occassion, our waiter exlained that the hotels along the Jumeriah beach do this once a month for their guests!!!

Looking forward to meeting “Rob” the farrier tonight for drinks and dinner. Rob works for Darley and has taken Nick Hay under his ‘wing’ whilst Nick has been based here. Rob is a good friend of our farrier Adrian Crowther, who also worked here in Dubai for Darley for 6 years.

Then tomorrow it is the DUBAI WORLD CUP MEETING. So we will be frocking up and heading off to Meydan (which is only 10 minutes from the city centre) to witness the best horses and jockeys in the world vying for their ticket to immortality. Stay posted ……………………. Now I’m off to the pool to work on my tan -” they” say a nice even tan is a fashion must.

Australian World Cup hopefuls in SEPOY and HELMET appear to have both settled into their new environment, and both pleased their trainer Peter Snowden at track work yesterday morning. Both horses will run under the colours of Sheik Mohammad’s Godolphin Stable, and both horses are also being touted to run at Royal Ascot in July.

Sepoy, ridden yesterday morning by jockey Kerrin McEvoy, worked from the 1,000 metres mark and picked up the pace from the 800 metres really impressing his trainer Snowden.

“He really finished off well, breaking 22 seconds for the final 400 metres which suggests to me he has really made significant improvement. He worked as well as at any time he has at home “, Snowden said.  Sepoy starts in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on Saturday and faces stiff opposition with Australian bred star ROCKET MAN and THE FACTOR tipped as his main dangers.

The trainer also felt a bit more confident of Helmet’s chances this weekend as he seems to have adapted better than Sepoy to the all weather Tapetal surface. Helmet has drawn outside barrier 14 in the 1800m Group 2 UAE Derby with a prize purse of $2 million.

“At least if he does not miss the start as he did at Flemington at his last start, he should be able to keep out of trouble,” the trainer said.

Tomorrow morning at 6 breakfast with the stars is on the agenda and will be the final hit out for most horses prior to the big raceday on Saturday.

American trainer Bob Baffert is recovering in a Dubai hospital having suffered a heart attack early on Monday morning. Only 24 hours after having 3 stents inserted Baffert was keen to walk out of hospital and resume his training duties! However doctors have insisted he can train from his hospital bed for a little longer. Sheik Mohammad, accompanied by his bloodstock manage Alex Feggusson visited Baffert in hospital yesterday.

Caught up with Nick Hay for drinks at Le Royal Meridian last night which was fun. Our present accomodation is luxurious to say the least – situated right on Jumeirah Beach where all the really swish resorts are.Up early to hit the gym this morning – I’ve taken a liking to the rowing machine (think I may have just missed my calling in life!) and then spent a leisurely 2 hours over lunch eating more than my fair share of beautiful fresh fruit and reading the local papers (yes they do print an English edition). In fact most people here speak English quite proficiently.

Noticed that ELADONI (Ladoni – Elva) ran a good third over 2400m at Sandown today. He is on the comeback trail after 12 months spell recovering from stem cell treatment.

Abu Dhabi boasts kilometres of beach front just like Dubai and also has several islands that have been developed and extended providing tourist accomodation and shopping centres. We visited the most amazing new development just south of Abu Dhabi where you can sail your yacht right up to a magnificent 5 plus star hotel which has a formula one racetrack that runs around it!

We also ventured into the foyer of the most amazing hotel aptly named the Grand Palace. There is no way I could describe it and do it justice. Suffice to say I haven’t ever seen anything like it in my life. The marble used in the entrance (in fact used everywhere) was beautiful, as were  the ornate ceilings and ballistrades.

There is no doubt the highlight of the day was the visit to the Abu Dhabi Mosque. Built over a decade and finished in 2007 this amazing mosque is the most beautiful building I have ever seen. Nearly all  mosques in the Emirates are not open to the public but this particular one is, and some locals give the most informative guided tours to share their faith and spread an understanding of Islam. Materials used in building the mosque have come from all over the world with the most amazing chandeliers featuring priceless crystals, the largest persian carpet in the world and the most wonderful ornate inlaid floral decorations in the marble floors on on the walls in the entrance foyer. The mosque can house over 7,000 people at worship, but is only used on special occassions and every Friday which is the holy day here in UAE. The rest of the time the mosque is used for tours to allow visitors to learn more about the Islamic culture and beliefs. No shoes are worn in the mosque and long black robes and head scarves are provided for all guests.

We enquired about camel racing today but it seems that the season may not have commenced yet! Evidently it is a very popular sport here and there are several racetracks. Races can vary in length and jockeys as young as 10 ride the camels. A good racing camel is worth a ‘fortune’ so I am told!!!

Well it was great to hear the LADY LYNETTE did her very best to go out on a winning note virtually leading all the way to finish first in the Group 2 Sunline Stakes. Coming from the outside barrier and carrying top weight she certainly had her work cut out! Sadly interference caused at the 1200m mark when she was trying to get across from the outside, ended up costing her the race in the stewards room. Her jockey Michael Guthrie was given a 15 meeting suspension for the interference caused. Well she won’t have lost any admirers – a winner of 15 races (most of them Group races) and with many other Group placings this gallant mare now retires to stud with stakes earnings of over $1.1 million. She is catalogued to be sold at the Sydney Easter Broodmare Sale in mid April. She certainly has flown the Tassie flag over the past 4 years, and we now look forward to hopefully producing another star to take her place.

When I contacted Nick to arrange to meet him at the huge new Dubai Mall shopping centre I was wondering how on earth he was going to find us amidst the thousands of fellow tourists and locals that seem to flock to these mega-centres. No fear I had a new bright green Armidale cap with GRASSY embroidered on it to give him and decided I’d wear it so he could see us. He spotted us immediately and said you couldn’t miss the Armidale cap! Jen and I were intrigued by Nick’s footwear – rubber slipper like things that resemble gloves – he assures us that they are the nearest thing to running in bare feet and very comfortable. He should know as he’s just completed a 10km race here last week as part of the Dubai marathon series. Yes you guessed it – its the richest marathon in the world worth 250,000 to the winner. Nick looks trim and super fit and was obviously pleased to see us.

He took us out to see the new Medyan racecourse – its all you read about and more! Unbelievably big – the grandstands and 5 star hotel cover over 1 km! The grass track looks to be in superb condition ready for the World Cup in one weeks time. The Tapeta track is also impressive but is almost black in colour – Nick maintains this is due to sand contamination. Speaking of sand we have had constant sand storms since we arrived with visibility similar to a Longford fog in mid winter! The temperature is far more pleasant though – constantly hovering around the 30 degree mark. We checked out the Royal box where the Sheik and his entourage sit and the saddling and mounting enclosure and walked out under the tunnel where the horses come out onto the track. Everything, and I mean everything here in Dubai, is done on a grand scale. The pre parade ring is large enough for a dressage areana or a show jumping competition! The stripping stalls would fit an elephant in them, and I am unsure how many people would fit into the grandstands but many, many thousands. It really does have to be seen to be believed.

Next Nick took us to the Tapeta training track then we drove through the area that houses all the racehorses, and the international quarantine area. Very handy to have Nick to gain access to all these places. They are stringently policed with guards and gates, but they all know  Grassy and we seemed to be waved through without any worries.

After 3 solid days sightseeing we are having a ‘rest day’ today catching up on reading, emails and for Jen sleep. Sadly Jen injured her back just before we departed so she hasn’t been sleeping all that well. Hopefully some rest today will improve matters. Tomorrow we are planning to head to Abu Dhabi the capital of the United Arab Emirates to catch up with Jen’s brother in law who works there. It will be interesting to get out of the city even if its on a freeway (evidently almost dead straight all the way) to see another city!

Back home we notice that the Armidale reared horses continue to perform with LADALI (Ladoni – Ali’s Blessing), RED WILLOW (Savoire Vivre – Arapeho), and SPEED CONTROL (Tough Speed – Black Cent) all winning at Mowbray on Wednesday evening. Also wonderful to see the we are represented by 3 runners at the VALLEY tonight with FIRST COURSE, BUZZING ALONG, and the great mare LADY LYNETTE all running. Lady Lynette is in the Group 2 Sunline Stakes over a mile.