Sean's Blog

Gibralfaro

Shipping one. Vetting one. Waiting on two. Chasing three. And watching so many others… Life in the horse business. Riverdee has grown to 21 horses. I like to say it’s grown organically. Naturally. From a horse or two, on spec, the sidebar of a publishing career to a 21-strong team … Read More

Calendar pages

Nothing like March. Winter is over. Spring is near. Sure, there could still be some cold days but we’re on the other side of it. The race season is palpable. The long, lovely offseason is behind us. The horses have yet to be pressured, they’re gearing up, sizing up, revving … Read More

What George Said…

I touched upon the highs and lows of trying to get to Cheltenham yesterday. Constitution Hill first. Marine Nationale second. And I forgot Ferny Hollow, a talented tank, a fragile freak, he returned from a 791-day layoff to win a 2-mile Grade 3 chase on soft to heavy ground Feb. … Read More

The Road to Cheltenham

Eight days to go. Champion Hurdle favorite Constitution Hill is out. Arkle favorite Marine Nationale is out. Who’s next? The Cheltenham Festival pressures owners, trainers, jockeys and horses. There is a horse running in Great Britain named Heltenham. No doubt, many have walked out of Prestbury Park muttering those sentiments. … Read More

Ride of the year

Maybe ever. William Buick on Cinderella’s Dream in the 1000 Guineas in Dubai. While you’re thinking about that, check out The Saturday Special for a race-by-race look into Saturday’s menu.

Down Hill

Constitution Hill. The best hurdler in the world. The Champion Hurdle. Two weeks out. Routine gallop. As we learn over and over or, I guess, we’re reminded over and over, there is nothing routine when it comes to horses. Undefeated in eight starts, the British banker, a horse so good … Read More

Saturday Ride

Bring your saddle. That was the text from Laird George this morning. Well, the good news is I’ll be in a hunting saddle rather than an exercise saddle. Trying to hunt next week which means I need to ride this week. That’s the only way these days. I used to … Read More

Road TRIp

Visiting Dad at the beach. Eighty-nine. He makes the coffee. Strong. We talk horses. Kelso to Mod Man. Jockeys, too. Chris McCarron to Fishback, maybe the two best he’s ever seen. That could change. We prepare for Dad’s fox. A left-over turkey sandwich and a hot dog in a metal … Read More

The Boss

Reading Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen. It’s been on my shelf for a few years now. Picked it up once and set it down. Not sure how I set it down. So good. A lot like his songs, his music. An open door into his life, his thoughts, his … Read More

Quotes

Here’s a few quotes from the racing world which caught my attention recently. “Lovely horse, man.” Trainer Steve Asmussen about Oaklawn Park winner Booth “By a world class sire, out of a grade 1 winning Tapit mare, a half-brother to Cody’s Wish, brilliant miler, multiple graded stakes winner, excellent conformation, … Read More