It’s been four years. Hard to believe. I brazenly went to Cheltenham in 2020. Well, it wasn’t brazen, I had heard about something called coronavirus, thought about the risk and went anyway. In seven days, while at Cheltenham, it was declared a pandemic. Then it felt brazen. Stupid. Selfish. It … Read More

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

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

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

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