Update at end of 2012

After some interesting runs Underland has been sold, following All Black so we are down to Ulster at the moment. He is fine and will resume in February with the aim to have a busy summer. Meanwhile Bacchus (top) is looking promising and the 3 foals are developing well in the field (middle). Claire (Polina) and Cavendish (Festina) close up (bottom).

The hippodromes of Ulster des Baux

Click on View Larger Map and wait briefly for map of whole of France to appear. Click on individual pins for details

Ulster's record to 240612

Ulster at Beaumont de Lomagne 240612

Justifies 8 hour travel each way!

Underland wins at Arras 28 May 2012

3 lovely foals (1 girl 2 boys) in last four days - what a week!

Claire des Baux (Nectar -Polina des Baux)

Cavendish des Baux (Mach Speed - Festina des Baux)

Caduceus des Baux (Querido des Baux - Sierra des Baux)

Ulster at Agen 150412

Never further back than second and came away impressively, non?. Following a 3rd at Caen when I was there.
Underland resumed with an 8th at Bihorel. And Polina has had a big filly by Nectar on Friday 13th.. Chance des Baux?? Will see what Sierra and Festina produce, because I would like a Claire des Baux.

d'arcy ... and lucie down under

Kurt reports from Motukarara
D'Arcy at the trials. Got away, trailed (second in pic), was 'going to win for fun' [trainer Murray Edmonds] and galloped for half a dozen strides when he was pulled out on the turn... Cruised in 2nd beaten 5 lgths with the rest nowhere .. s .. Lucie to workouts soon .. 1 1/2m in 2.25 this week...

and about time

because we are into February already and I have just made my first visit to Les Baux for several months Sadly it decided to snow so none of the As were working  (jogging) but I did get a lovely pic of Laura with All Black who she fancies a bit. (Note her cap!).

I had hoped to see Ulster race but the coming weather meant they took him to Bordeaux on Wednesday instead of Lyon on Sunday, which turned out a good move. Far from fully fit and a bit nervous after a long break from the track he ran a pleasing second and probably heads for Caen on March 10, 2200 autostart, where he will definitely be on the gate because the limit is 35000 and he has won 34450. Marion drove him but is still hurting a lot from the broken ribs and internal bruising he got when kicked while shoeing recently. Very frustrated by pain and inability to do all he wants to do.
Underland will have his chance in the spring but hopes are not high. Twilight's knee finally proved too much so she is off to Querido shortly. Azur was another 'ok' when Marion rated the 24 2yos for me, but the fillies are behind so can't say much about Annalisa yet. Bacchus is the leader of the pack in the field as far as the yearlings are concerned, so hope that's a good sign.
3 C babies due in a couple of months Festina by Mach Speed, Polina by Nektar and Sierra by Querido.
Onward and upwards....