Welcome back everyone. I say welcome back as from my perspective this is when the office gets back to ‘normal’ with Juliet coming back to work and Tasha popping in to say hi (she’s on maternity leave). My son has … Read More »

I am always on the watch for a ‘touch’ even though, these days, it is much harder to engineer them than in past days. The stewards are quick to ask the trainer for an explanation if a horse shows a … Read More »

Well it is that time of year again when I find myself frantically planning the next six months as we prepare our brochure for the forthcoming season. I try to recall all the lovely conversations I have had with clients … Read More »

Wow I am a little annoyed with myself at the length of time it has taken me to update this blog. I have even spoken to clients about it (Hello, you all know you are are) I suppose the issue … Read More »

The bookmakers seem to be showing little signs of discernment in their response to the performances of this season’s leading Champion Hurdle contenders. The New One was cut from around 8/1 to 7/2 after beating Rock On Ruby by 10 … Read More »

I have to say that of all the seasons, autumn is probably my favourite. The winters can be long, hard and miserable – I know that all too well, living in the Lake District – but the racing programme in … Read More »

Welcome to my space on the Marten Julian site. Here I write about whatever takes my fancy with some views and reviews of something to do with racing. This month I am talking about relationships, racehorse welfare and racing on Good … Read More »

It was good to be racing again at Newmarket after missing the Craven meeting last month. Unfortunately the heavens opened just as the horses were entering the paddock for the 2,000 Guineas, but Sunday was glorious for the most part … Read More »

When trainers of the calibre of Jonjo O’Neill, Willie Mullins, Nigel Twiston-Davies and the vastly experienced Oliver Sherwood say that they have “one of the most promising horses they have ever trained” then it’s time to sit up and take … Read More »

For those of us unable to enjoy the delights of a short break in the West Indies there would, at first sight, appear to be little to sustain our interest from the UK racing programme in the early weeks of … Read More »

The British Horseracing Authority recently published their ‘Fact Book’, which they believe provides ‘an invaluable and informative guide to some of the key numbers behind our great sport.’ The publication reveals that in the period up to the spring of … Read More »

As I write this, on a Friday in mid-October, Carlisle is hosting their first jumps meeting of the season. As you may be aware I am based in the South Lakes, so Carlisle is just an hour up the road … Read More »