Let's Not Forget Richie

In stark contrast to the maternal hormone overload and all the baby foal fuss currently taking place, Richie has proved that he is well hard. After kicking off the season with a second place in a flat race on the National Day he has just gone from strength to strength.

Considering his first race this season was in very good company and he was only beaten by a few lengths it was a very good start indeed. He then followed up with another second place in his first ever jump race. Again a solid result, but personally I was just overjoyed he made it back in one piece. Saying that, he was in the very capable hands of British jump jockey Marcus and got the best possible run for a first time out.

With it being a quiet time of year in the UK for jump races, Marcus who is normally second jockey to one of the best UK jump trainers, did not seem to mind being flown over to us for a ride and a bit of a party.

Watching him ride was like tuning into Tour the France after spending 20 minutes swearing at the backside of some slightly overweight idiot amateur cyclist on the way home on roads that made it impossible to overtake. His riding could not even be compared to what normally takes place at our little racecourse. Here was a professional at work.

It was overheard said among the more knowledgeable punters afterwards that here was a jockey that actually dared give the horse his head, resulting in it actually hurdling properly. It was a proud Team Richie that left the race course that day and already the following morning made a request for Marcus for his next race.

And he accepted. In between the jump races Richie also clocked up a victory in a flat race sponsored by a chain of training studios. This resulted in me now getting 3 months free training as my dad felt he did not need it - Anyone who has ever laid eyes on both of us is likely to disagree.

But regardless of the fitness level of his owners, or lack of such, Richie was certainly on a roll. On the day of the next jump race Richie appeared with two grooms hanging off him in a desperate attempt to stop him from doing handstands in the parade ring and contain his energy to the actual race. But Richïe had plenty of go in him and Marcus managed to squeeze every bit of it out of him and take him first over the finish line in a beautiful finish.

It was just one of those moments when everything explodes. Joy, excitement, pride and most of all love for that little horse that I have spent so much time with. He might act like a complete idiot at times but at the end of the day he has a heart of gold. Now he had also shown that he has the talent needed.

So Team Richie is obviously in good spirits before the next race on Thursday. Marcus is booked, Richie is so fit the girls are refusing to ride him out and the jump jockey we use for training won't charge us for his services as he claims he can teach him no more.

The only problem on the horizon is the bloody weather. He does not like heavy going and at this rate it will be. But then saying that, with a professional on board you never know. I can’t wait – Go Richie!