November has flown by in a furor of racing, winners and battling many different types of weather. I cannot believe how fast this year is finishing and now we’re in December…
A warm autumn halted by Bert
Most of autumn had hovered around 10˚, hardly dropping at nighttime or rising in the day. The air stayed muggy, temperatures stagnant and soupy. Then Storm Bert brought winter with vengeance. Snow, ice, torrential rain and floods!
I never thought I’d say it but I missed the jagged cold snapping at my face, numbing my toes, chapping my lips, fogging my breath and causing my fingers to feel like they were crumbling. I haven’t ridden out for two seasons, but I’ve never forgotten the beauty of a hoarfrost.
Yes, I used to feel the cold right to my bones and suffered itchy chilblains, but winter mornings were a wonderful part of the job. There was nothing quite like riding racehorses in scenery that the frost had silver-plated so it sparkled like sprinkled diamonds. The sunrises swirled in a myriad of vibrant colours, orange, golden, fox-red, marshmallow to cerise, bursting out to warm us as we jumped off at the bottom of the gallop. The wind greedily nipped at our cheeks that were permanently pinked.
As we walked the horses off to cool them, heat rose off their clipped and glossy bodies in billowing steam, the scent of their sweat sharp. My toes, despite being swaddled in numerous thick socks, would flare up to protest against the cold. I tried to keep my fingers warm by stuffing them under the clammy saddle pads but that was also in vain. Post-sunrise explosion, the sky always settled into a pure sapphire, crisscrossed with white vapor trails. Despite the bitter cold, I always felt smugness that we’d all been privy to ‘the best time of the day’.
A new yellow toy
Head of maintenance Madalin Marian ‘Doc’ Radu was bought a new JCB telehandler. The iconic yellow vehicle, which resembled an oversized child’s toy, was more compact and maneuverable than the old blue Manitou. It might have broken down twice already, but these were just slight hiccups. It has been regularly trundling about the estate, emptying skips, carrying round bales of hay and straw, moving schooling fences, with a happy Doc in the cab.
Meg and Eric
The Paddy Power meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse was an unforgettable one for groom Megan Petrie, for she led up her first winner there when Wreckless Eric won over hurdles. Megan has been a long-term member of the O’Neill team and deserved such a memorable day.
Megan and Eric (John Grossick)
‘Going to Cheltenham Racecourse is always amazing, regardless if you have a winner or not,’ said Megan, 22. ‘It’s a long lead-up from the stable yard to the parade ring but this makes me more excited and nervous, and fills me with anticipation. The crowd and atmosphere, which are my favourite part of Cheltenham, are always unbeatable and is an experience that every racing groom should have. I think every groom and jockey dream of having a winner there.’
Remembering the day, Megan smiled: ‘My first Cheltenham winner definitely lived up to my expectations and more! To hear the crowd roar with your own ears – especially for my horse.’
It actually proved an equally memorable weekend for Megan’s boyfriend John Dina too. He is also a vital part of the yard, coordinating the swimming, driving to the races and generally being a top member of the team. ‘John’s birthday always falls on or around the Paddy Power meeting and I wanted to do something special for him,’ explained Meg. Last summer on their annual trip to John’s native Romania, his family told Meg they’d love to visit England, see Jackdaws Castle and watch John swimming horses. Meg’s devious side came out and they all hatched a plan to throw John a 28th birthday party, whilst the Dina family flew over to give him a big surprise at the end of the evening. Despite having quiet reservations about the plan’s success, Megan managed it without rousing John’s suspicions. Under the pretence of having to collect the birthday cake, Meg even picked up his family from the airport. ‘I was gone for hours on his birthday but he was so drunk and having such a good time, he didn’t care!’
'John looked in disbelief at his family standing there in his birthday party, then let out a scream! There were a few teary eyes from him and his family – and also some of the team. It was a lovely reunion and we had the best time all together.’
In a single weekend, Meg proved to be a top-class groom and the most wonderful girlfriend!
Winners
Racing has been busy, with a long list of winners, too many to list here. The aforementioned Eric and Roadlesstravelled (Roady) winning a Grade 2 over hurdles at Haydock on Betfair Chase day were the two notable ones, and reminding us that the bigger winners are the best. Thanks to Storm Bert, Haydock was lashed with rain and wind and was bitterly cold. I was delighted when ‘my’ Monbeg Genius (Minnie) finished second – he was well beaten behind Venitia Williams’ winner (another one in what proved to be an amazing meeting for her yard). That was in the last race and light levels were diminishing quickly, but my pride shone brightly.
Verity and Magic Seven, Tirana and Impatient and Meg with Eric (John Grossick)
In amongst the month’s many winners, some proved that winners on the smaller days feel great too. Magic Seven, who’d only ever previously won round Hereford, took a liking to Exeter and won by two lengths. At Ffos Las, groom Tirana Jakupi lived a dream day when her favourite Impatient (Gimpy) won for the first time – she’d waited three seasons and a change in ownership for him to be victorious. Gimpy is a tall, narrow and a light grey, who Tirana always turns out immaculately, and was the first grey winner she’d ever led up. She has had a Cheltenham winner with Springwell Bay but Impatient winning meant a lot to her.
Carlisle Catchups
I took Fortunate Man to Carlisle on December 1st and was delighted to see a familiar face. Former head of travelling to David Pipe, Craig Wylie, was unloading kit out of a lorry and we had a catchup. He’d left Pipey’s at the end of last season to return to his native Scotland as his family had all grown up and left home. He now works in a smaller yard, where life is more relaxed, and seeing his peppery beard and signature wide smile made a sunny day up north even sunnier. ‘F Man’ finished second, frustratingly beaten by a short head – but there will be another day.
Colleague Spotlight
Roadlesstravelled’s groom Verity Peers was this month’s Employee of the Month, mainly due to him being unbeaten in his three races this season. Aged nineteen, Verity will have been here for three years in March and has grown into a key member of the team. After passing her driving test, she soon became one of the yard drivers and is gaining more racing experience all the time. As well as Roady, Verity looks after Walk Of No Shame, Crebilly, Magic Seven, Wellington Arch and Isocrate.
Originally from Wirral, which is ‘across the water’ from Liverpool, Verity came here after attending the foundation course at the Northern Horseracing College. Back home, her family has two dogs, Beau and Smudge, and a cat called Luna.
Did you have a horsey childhood? Yes, I did. My mum is horsey so I had horses all my life. My first horse was an ex-racer called Ivy.
How did you get into racing? Owning my ex-racer made me interested in racing. Plus, my friend went to the NHC. I thought it looked good, so I went there for twelve weeks. I then got placed at Jonjo O’Neill’s and have been here ever since.
Best aspect to racing: I love to ride all different horses, especially working. I also love going racing.
Worst aspect: Definitely the early mornings and the cold in winter.
Best day’s racing so far: My highlight so far was when I took Crebilly to the Cheltenham Festival and he finished second. He also took me to the Aintree Festival in April. I also loved it when Wellington Arch won his bumper at Worcester.
Favourite meal: Spicy noodles.
Favourite snack: Doritos and a dip.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy, where the food is so good as well as the wine.
Favourite music: Greentea Peng.
Favourite TV program: The Walking Dead.
Hobbies: I like to cook, and I’m pretty good at baking.
Hopes and dreams for the future: I would love to get out my jockey license, and move to a different country like France or Australia to gain more experience in riding.
Ideal day off: Definitely a lie-in then breakfast out and then a walk on the beach with my dogs.
Ideal night out: Going out for food, followed by lots of cocktails!
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