Wellies and woolly mammoths

I'm pretty pleased with the new pic on the homepage and very proud of my two lovely boys. Yes, of course, the equine in question is Pantomime Prince and, in my biased view, I think he's looking very well indeed. John's not bad either.

For those of you on Welly Watch, the trainer has gone decidedly upmarket and is now sporting a pair of brand new Ariat boots, which are a kind of cross between a welly and a riding boot. And they're blue, not green. It's a start.

Panto needs a clip as he's turned into a woolly mammoth in the last few weeks. Ex Con has just had one and is being road-tested in a new bitless bridle, which John has been asked to try out. I'm not sure how much of a test Ex Con really is as one could ride him bareback in a headcollar and he'd just wander along in his own "am I bovvered?" way. I would not, however, fancy trying any of the Dawson family in one.

Yearling number three, the Key Of Luck filly, has now been ridden away and despite regularly trying to kick Panto she's doing very nicely. The newly-acquired Halling filly is currently being long-reined and may well head to Ireland for a lengthy growing-up period later this year.

We're currently keeping fingers crossed that Lady Suffragette doesn't get ballotted out of her intended race at Bangor on Wednesday. She's been very unlucky this year, regularly falling foul of the ridiculous 'not enough stables' rule. Come on BHA, stop inventing new names for yourself and pull your finger out to sort out this idiotic and frustrating situation.

The above pic of Lady S is really just an excuse to use a photo of Desiree, her dark brown workmate in this shot taken back in the spring. Des is my second most treasured horse after Panto and is now looking much fatter than this as she's in foal to Sulamani. It will be a late foal, not due til May, but before that we have the more imminent arrival of Minnie's Mystery's Largesse foal in January to enjoy.

Speaking of foals, Darley's latest broodmare is none other than their website manager Anna Ridges, proud part-owner (with her husband Tim) of Anis Etoilé. Anna and Tim are expecting their first baby next May and we're all looking forward to welcoming little Emma Singspiel Cupcake Ridges to the world. Many congratulations to you both.