September 2026 Blog
By now, the horses have stepped up their work. Back in the summer, after their holidays, most of the horses started on the round, and did plenty of trotting and steady cantering in the deep sand, until the ratio of cantering became more than trotting. Some horses get fresh, particularly those who don’t find the work strenuous – that’s when riders fall off and loos horses exuberantly canter back to the yard, their homing instincts never failing.
It always feels a lifetime on the rounds, where there’s no shade from the sunshine and the kickback is reminiscent of the grittiest of exfoliators. So, it’s a relief when the horses combine cantering on the rounds and one canter up the short, for this eventually to become two canters up the short.
I always enjoy doing two canters. A lot of horses also appreciate going up the hill, putting their heads down and relishing in the work. Often, I am reminded of riding work up the long gallop, which I haven’t done so for years but I’ll never forget the feeling of having completed a great piece of work.
Horses always know when they’re working; some jig-jog, chink the bit, sweat into a lather or snatch at the reins in anticipation. I used to love jumping off at the bottom of the gallops, upsides or in your group, with a shake of the reins or a change of the hands, a movement not unlike stirring a cocktail, and we’d be working in unison. The thud of hooves and wind in my ears, clash of stirrup irons and sand pelting at my face from their hooves.
Another rider may have shouted or called out, or there might’ve been the whack of the whip, but mostly I was zoned in on the power of the horse beneath me. Enveloped by a kaleidoscope of hoofbeats, wind and contact on the reins, and the horse trying, pointing his nose, flattening the ears.
Sometimes, a piece of work went wrong – like with everything, a horse or rider aren’t machines. I could’ve been on a slower horse in a fast group or on a piggy one who didn’t want to go upsides, but most pieces of work gave me such a buzz. The mornings that I had the right partnership, sitting close to the other rider, long strides matching and huge smiles when pulling up. It was even better if horses won first time out; that was really satisfying and I always felt like I had done a good job on the gallops at home.
Whereas the round gallop epitomises the fresh, hot, sticky, sandy lots of late summer, the straight gallops represent the cooler temperatures of autumnal mornings. The leaves are still, but their turn isn’t far away, signified in the chillier sunrises. Some chasers relish the drop in temperature, skittishly feeling the wind in their tails, knowing their days away competing are imminent.
However, the prolonged dry weather and hot sunshine have made this less imminent. Chepstow is only holding the hurdle races at the its October meeting and this week, Warwick is cancelled. If only there were rain gods to appeal to or rain dances around trees – any way of conjuring up more rainfall.
If this dry weather continues, the winter horses, who need soft ground, will miss out on runs until the conditions are suitable. There is no point risking a horse with a run on ground that’s too firm or on false, watered ground – their action might not be suitable, or they perhaps wouldn’t let themselves down or they’d risk injury. Some horses need softer ground simply to slow down other runners, whereas other go through the soft like a plough through snowdrifts.
Whenever the rain arrives, and hopefully it won’t be too long a wait, there will be lots of horses going for the same races, making good quality of races for early in the season.
Colleague Spotlight
Racing secretaries are a vital cog in any office. Debbie Rees-Jones started working here in January 2026, having previously been racing secretary at Barry and Charlie Hills for thirteen years. She brings plenty of experience from thirty years in racing and works very closely with the bosses to keep the racing running smoothly, as well as organising staff and horses. As well as many daily tasks to do with horses, paperwork, etc, Debbir helped to organise the oeners' days. She is hardworking, conscientious and always has a smile on her face.
Debbie lives in Fairford, Gloucestershire with husband Richard, son Ben and a cat called Sooty.
Did you have a horsey childhood? I had my own ponies and horses, competing in hunter trials and eventing.
How did you start working in racing? After college, where I studied Business, Finance and Horseracing, I worked for Sheik Hamden as racing always interested me.
Describe your role: My job is highly paced, varied and no two days are the same. I assist AJ and Jonjo in entering, declaring horses, ensuring all paperwork is correct so horses are able to race. There are many many deadlines to adhere to throughout the day… I register owners, partnerships, syndicates, colours, arrange transport etc. I also update Yardman, which is the leading software for equine industries, with all horse and owner information, etc.
Last season’s highlight: Having two winners at last season’s Cheltenham Festival – it doesn’t get better than that.
Favourite racecourses: Newbury and Ascot.
Favourite racehorse: It was Rukaana but he recently retired, so my pick of the new horses is the unnamed Santiago x Thessalienne.
Favourite jockey: Jonjo Junior obviously!
Does the racing secretary role differ in a Flat yard to a National Hunt yard? Not really, because the entry system is the same. With National Hunt racing, horses stay in the yard for longer whereas on the Flat, horses tend to get sold as three-year-olds if not up to standard.
What do you love most about working in racing? The highs of winning or horses running well, providing owners with a great day out. Money can’t buy that buzz!
What do you love about working for O’Neill Racing? The whole team.
Favourite drink: Gin with tonic, of course.
Favourite meal: A quality meal out, anywhere as long as I don’t have to cook.
Favourite snack: Chocolate but I try not to snack.
Favourite holiday destination: A beach anywhere.
Favourite TV program: ITV Racing.
Favourite music: Chill out music.
Favourite book: Trashy holiday reading.
Hopes and dreams for the future: To live life every day and appreciate what we have.
Other hobbies/interests: Paddle boarding, walking, running, Pilates and SUP yoga.
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