Meeting Alcazar&Co.

Hughie Morrison´s neat and functional stables in East Ilsely is home to yet another cracking horse we adore: Alcazar. Alcazar became the joint-oldest horse to win a Group 1 - Race when battling on to beat Reefscape in the Prix Royal Oak in Paris-Longchamp in October 2005 (see his place in our "Racing Greats" section).
Alcazar has recently been retired.

It wasn´t easy pickings but look who´s head is in front!

The Star at home, but he did not take my mint-bites!

Out on the Galopps, enjoying himself!

Meeting More Equine Star´s

Meeting our Hero´s and Heroine´s after the races and "in private" is the highlight of every racing trip, and we would like to share some of the Star´s we met along the way. Truely Magic Moments indeed:

With Asian Maze; decisive winner of the Aintree Hurdle

In The Shadows: An unusual shot of Grand National 2006 Hero Numbersixvalverde:

With Strangely Brown; winner of The Sportsman Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race), Aintree 2006;
he actually liked my perfume a lot, and was most friendly and very funny!

Hedgehunter enjoying a pick of grass after his Aintree exertions:

Monet´s Garden

You might have seen the passage on Monet´s Garden in the "Cat´s horses to follow"-Section. I rate this Nicky-Richards-inmate very highly; his brave 2nd to Voy por Ustedes in the Arkle Chase in Cheltenham 2006 certainly showed the world what he is capable off.
Monet´s Garden won his first Grade 1 chase in 2006/07, but failed to sparkle on two notable occasions, in Kempton when joint-favorite for the KING-George (Monet´s was the first under pressure and trailed in a distance behind Kauto Star), and in the Ryan Air Chase, where once again he as one of the favorites just did not fire. But then came the Melling Chase in Aintree, and our favorite Grey had things his way once again, and returned to a wonderful reception. We got the chance to meet Monet´s Garden in his stables just a few days prior to his Aintree race, and were very proud and honored indeed:
(all photos: Jim Clark)

Saying Hello to Monet´s Garden