Hard food and exercise has brought about a massive chsnge in this horse - from the weak baby we saw in the field during the summer ( see photo on HORSES page) he has really grown into a magnificent looking horse that has "future chaser" stamped all over him!!

He is cantering away nicely and seems to be very much going the right way at this very early stage.

6/1/2006 'Callum' is still very much going the right way. He is doing all that is asked of him, and the reports coming back from his riders is very encouraging, with eveyone saying what a nice horse he is to ride, and that he really does give them a nice feel.

8/3/06 'callum has been coming along very nicely after suffering the usual problems with coughs and sneezes etc. that youngsters suffer.He is just starting to quicken up in his work now, and should be out soon.He is a very exciting prospect for the future!

Olney Lad.

Lad has now been cantering for about the past month and has just stepped up to about 3/4 speed.

He still looks really well, and on a recent stable visit one of his owners could not believe how much he has matured and strengthened up.He should be somewhere near ready to run in about three weeks or as soon as there is a bit of "juice" in the ground.
No firm plans have been decided upon regarding a likely race, but the general feeling is to start him off in a little chase,somewhere not too grand,and just get a clear round into him and let him really enjoy himself.

These photos were taken on Saturday 17/9/05 and show Olney lad with Coralbrook before, during and after a schooling session.He was electric!!

Olney lad was fourth in a quality novice chase on Saturday(8/10/05). Given a superb ride by Russ Garrity he was beaten 19 lengths by the former Stayers Hurdle winner Iris's Gift. This was a very good performance as he jumped perfectly without making a hint of a mistake.This has laid the foundation for his chasing career that we can now build upon.I am also pleased to report that he has come out of the race in fine form and we a currently looking for another opportunity for him in the next month.

Ran in a 2 mile 7 1/2 Furlong Beginners Chase at Worcester - finishing 4th he was officially beaten 38 lengths but it was actually more like 25. even so this represents a very dissapointing run as although the winner is obviously a very talented animal we still expected to build on our excellent first run and possibly win here as we felt this was an ideal opportunity to get off the mark over fences - to say the least he let us all down!! In hind sight the configuration of the course did not suit us but he has come out of the race in grand old form and will be entered towards the end of the month - probably with the head-gear back on.

6/1/2006 'Lad' has not been seen for some time but I am pleased to report that all is well with him and he will be back on the racecourse in the next few weeks. The form of his Worcester run has been franked in some style, with all of the three horses that finished in front of him going on to win their next races!!Although initially dissapointed with that run, there are definite reasons for optimism as he resumes his season!

24/01/2006 I am pleased to report that all appears well with Olney Lad this morning. In fact he seems as fresh as paint and shows no signs of having had a run just yesterday. Hopefully this will be the way for the next couple of days and nothing untoward will come to light and we can start looking at the calender and make some decisions about where to go next.

25/2/2006 Olney Lad ran at Newcastle today and was in the process of running a fine race, upsides in the lead when getting a bit close to the third last and falling. I am pleased to report that both horse and jockey are OK-Lad even jumped the last two without Russ so he doesn't seem to have dented his confidence in any way.It is impossible to say if he would have won or not, but it was still a good performance up until the point of departure.

27/2/2006 Olney Lad seems fine after his unfortunate fall at Newcastle on Saturday.He is a little tired as a result of all the travelling and the race itself, but after a few days taking it easy he will resume work and we'll look for another Novices Chase.

7/4/2006

Olney Lad runs at the Grand National Meeting at Aintree in one of the best Novices chases staged this season with many of the top horses from both sides of the Irish Sea taking part.
Not being able to get a run into him in a smaller event at a smaller meeting due to unsuitable ground,(he was declared to run at Warwick and Chepstow in the past 2 weeks)we were forced to pitch him in at this lofty level, which was not exactly ideal, especially on the back of a fall in Newcastle.
Regardless of these negative points Lad ran with credit,jumping round and finishing sixth, regaining any confidence that he may have lost last time.
Russ reported that Lad may just benefit from having the blinkers back on just to get him to travel on the slightly quicker ground.
Unfortunately only a few Partners were able to attend, but those that did had a fantastic day, enjoying the atmosphere that only a Festival Meeting such as this can generate.

8/4/2006

Lad seems to have come out of his race in good order, and now it's all eyes on the weather in Ireland as he has an entry in the Grade A 100,000 Euro Novices Handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival.

26/4/2006

Lads off to Ireland!!
We set off at 6.00am to get the ferry from Holyhead, Lad travels fine and we even manage to get a pick of grass for him in a paddock in the middle of Wales somewhere as we have our own breakfast.(This horse really is spoilt)!!!
He takes the ferry crossing well, and we arrive at Punchestown Racecourse at 5.00pm

27/4/2006

Lad looks better than we do this morning!!
He ate his tea from last night and had a good drink so it seems he is nicely settled.
Lad has 2 good canters in the middle of the course, and really did seem to move well on the quicker ground.Stuart and I walked the course and found it to be genuinely good ground, safe, but we could have used a bit of rain, but that was not likely as the sun was beating down and it was the most fantastic weather.
Nothing more to do today other than enjoy an afternoon at the races and this famous Irish craic!!

28/4/2006

Lad ate all his tea again last night so at least the petrol tank is full!
He had a walk and a trot out just to stretch his legs before breakfast.
Stuart and I walked the course again and after overnight watering the ground was still good, they really did a wonderful job with the ground in the face of some very drying conditions. Still perhaps a bit quick for us though??
Nearly race time and Lad entered the pre-pararde ring looking magnificent, actually a little bit on his toes (not like him at all) he really was primed and ready to go. I'd never seen him look better, Mrs Robeson had him at his peak for sure.
Quite a few of the Partners managed to get over to the meeting and after pulling themselves away from the complimentary lunch (and alcohol)in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Lounge they finally made it to the paddock.
What a buzz the atmosphere was fantastic!!
The race itself went much to plan, Jimmy jumped out in front and said catch me if you can. It was good to have him back in the plate and very good of him to come over at short notice, thanks Jimmy.
Approching 3 out there were a few struggling in behind but it looked as if we were booked for second as Wolf Creek loomed up on the outside approaching the second last, but Lad and Jimmy had different ideas and battled and fought from the back of the last for a brilliant 5 length success!!
An amazing feeling!! This is why we get involved in race horse ownership!!! I've never seen a happier group of owners!!I don't mind admitting that I shed a tear!!
To be the only UK winner at the Festival was an incredible achievement and a great training performance by Mrs Robeson and all the staff at Fences Farm.
Thanks also to eveyone at Punchestown who made our stay so unforgetable. (Especially Jerry The Bus)
We will be back!!

29/4/2006

Unfortunately Lad was taken to a veterinary hospital on the Curragh shortly after the race as he became accutely lame on his near hind leg.
I will update with further news of his recovery as it becomes available.
A bit of a low so soon after the highs of yesterday.