Barney's Blog

A sparkling week all round

Hey up, everyone,

How's it going? Well it's been a right canny period since my last blog.

For a start, I have to say a big well done to the Rachael Blackmore human. What an achievement in becoming the first female human to ride the winner of the Grand National on Minella Times.

My tip, Any Second Now, would have won if he hadn't been badly hampered by a faller, and he did bloody well to be third. He wants backing now for next year. That said, Rachael's some rider and I've become a big admirer. She's no competition for my lovely Carole, though.

Closer to home, we've been having a right good run. We had a double at Redcar on Monday with Diamondonthehill and A Boy Named Ivy.

Diamondonthehill - or Hilly as I like to call him - has always shown a lot of talent on the gallops, so it's nice to see him turning that promise into a win. He told me last year he was a bit spooked when he burst out of the stalls on his second run at Ayr, and he just needed to get his confidence back. I gave him a couple of my famous pep talks, and he's fine now. I reckon he's in for a bloody good season.

A Boy named Ivy - or Boyzy as I like to call him - hasn't been with us for long but he seems a nice enough fella, even if he has got a strange name. Lazy bugger on the gallops, mind you - doesn't try very hard, but he's clearly got a bit of ability. I wouldn't be surprised if the gaffer - the Michael human - follows my advice and puts a pair of cheek-pieces on him next time. They just help a horse concentrate, so I reckon it's not a bad tactic. As usual, the gaffer will claim it was his idea but we all know the truth. It's me and my Carole who are the brains behind the operation.

Then we had Gigi's Beach - or Beachy as I like to call him - leading all the way on the mucky stuff up in Geordieland. He runs for the Denton Hall Racing syndicate, so it's nice to see them get a winner. If you fancy being involved, get in touch with a human called Ian Davison (Tel: 07843 655429 or  Email: iandav@uwclub.net). Tell him Barney told you to get in touch - I might get a few carrots out of it. Doubt it though - tight sod.

Have you seen that Matt Chapman human on the telly? Well, if you haven't seen him, you'll have heard him - right noisy bugger, he is.

Anyway, he calls himself Yeeehaaa and keeps shouting it out whenever he gets excited. Must think he's a bloody cowboy. Anyway, we've got a nice young un in the yard now called Yeeeaah. Different spelling, same sound. If you're reading this, Chappers - and if you're not, why not? - get yerself up to the north and pay your namesake a visit. And while you're at it, come and see a living legend. Bring carrots.

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Lots of love,