Barney's Blog

Thanks a million everyone!

Evening all, Barney McGrew – horse in a million – here again.

Well, I know I spend most of my time taking the mickey but this week’s blog has to start with a massive congratulations to everyone at the yard for reaching 50 winners again for the season, as well as passing the £1m milestone in prizemoney.

And what a way to do it with Azure Blue – or Bluey as I like to call her – taking a big leap up in class by winning the listed Blue Point British EBF Boadicea Stakes for fillies and mares.

That’s her fourth win of the season and five overall and, if you ask me, there’s a lot more to come from her. She’s still just a three-year-old and will only get better, so I reckon we’ve got another star on our hands.

If you follow this blog, you’ll know that I’ve been talking her up since her two-year-old days and, believe me, she’s a good un - listen to your Uncle Barney.

I’m particularly pleased for her owners, Peter Appleton and Anne Elliott, who are lovely, friendly humans.. They’ve been great supporters of the yard and were the owners of my old friend, Que Amoro, who I miss a lot. Looks like they’ve struck gold again with Bluey, who is pictured at the bottom of this blog after her Newmarket win.

Well done, Peter. Well done, Anne. Bring carrots. Thanks.

BY the way, Anne Elliott, co-owner of Azure Blue, works as a lawyer in Darlington, dealing with all sorts of legal stuff for people.

I’m told she once represented a human who sued an airline company for mislaying his luggage. Sadly, he lost his case.

Christ, I'm funny.

ON more serious matters, I can't let the day go by without also paying tribute to Gale Force Maya, who ran a gallant race to be fourth behind Azure Blue.

Galey – as I like to call her – has played a blinder this season, winning five races and also establishing herself in listed company.

The Gaffer says that’s it for the season for her now and, boy, has she earned a holiday.

She’s certainly lived up to her name because she goes like the bloody wind and is a force to be reckoned with.

I ALSO need to say well done to one of the young uns, Boy Douglas, who won his first race by ploughing through heavy ground up at Ayr during the week.

It only seems five minutes since I won my first race back in December 2006, on the all-weather at a strange place called Wolverhampton where they talk funny. I was trained by a human called James Toller in those days and ridden by a jockey called Oscar Urbina. Time flies.

Anyway, Boy Douglas – or Dougie as I like to call him – is a nice colt by French Derby winner New Bay. He runs in the red and yellow colours of a nice human called Frank Lowe, who also happens to be the owner of Gale Force Maya. Lucky bugger.

BACK to the subject of hitting the £1m milestone. Did you hear about the fella who went on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

He’d reached the £1m question: “Which of these birds doesn't build its own nest? A) the cuckoo B) the sparrow C) the eagle or D) the red-tailed hawk.

He only had "phone a friend left", so he called his friend and repeated the question. His friend immediately told him “it's the cuckoo”. The guy asked if he was sure and he said "yes, positive".

The guy went on to win £1m and, when he called to thank his friend the next day, he asked: "How did you the know for certain that the cuckoo doesn't build its own nest?"

"Because it lives in a clock, you idiot,” came the reply.

Final thought for the week: I read a social media post from The Gaffer earlier, saying reaching 50 winners is a team effort by everyone at the yard. Quite right – that’ll be 50 carrots coming my way then, boss? Otherwise, I'll have a word with Mrs Elliott and sue.

Til next time, lots of love,