Simon's Racing & Devon Life Diary #4

I was up at York on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I had an excellent Dante Meeting up there with Star Sports but must admit my heart, as it often is, was at Newton Abbot. Nigel Hawke's Inferno Sacree won again down there. What a superstar he's been for the yard. It was excellent for Nigel that he was winning for the second time in as many runs on ITV and that his training skills had another well-deserved nationwide audience. York also meant that on Thursday I missed the official launch of Hawke Barn,  Katherine and Nigel Hawke's wedding and special event venue. It's a wonderful space, here's their website for more details. HAWKE BARN

Anyone who has been racing in the South West would have seen the genial gent Rupert Mackeson selling his books and prints. He's been part of the fabric of many racecourses for decades now. Rupert has a fascinating history which I captured in a #BettingPeople interview a few years back. I'll post the link below. Sir Rupert, an actual Baronet is one of the best connected men in racing knowing the great, and not so great in equal measure, having been on first name terms with both Lord Lucan and very good friends with the late great legend Lester Piggott. Incidentally, if you want something signed by Lester, Rupert is your man Lester used to happily stand by Rupert's stall at Epsom on Derby Day and autograph books and meet the public.

Sadly, Lester is no longer with us, and it appears Epsom Racecourse don't want Rupert there anymore either, his stall apparently is no longer welcome. Understandably Rupert is deeply upset by this, so much so that the 81 year ex-Army cavalryman has petitioned King Charles to come to his aid, let's hope he does, it wouldn't be the same at Epsom without Rupert Mackeson. Anyone that would like to buy from Rupert he's told me 'I am having an exhibition of Lester Piggott /Oaks/Derby prints and books etc, much of it signed from Friday June 16th to Tuesday June 27th inclusive 10 AM 4PM but not on Sunday
at'  Weston Super Frames 17 Locking Road Weston-Super-Mare BS23 3UY. To watch Rupert's interview you can watch it Rupert Mackeson #BettingPeople

We had a family trip to the races on Sunday. We went to one of our local Point to Points, the spectacular Bratton Down. It was a landmark occasion too. It was our little Monty's first time at the races. We think he enjoyed it but I'm be lying if I said he didn't enjoy the bouncy castle slide and ice creams more. It was a really nice and sunny day up there, if a little windy. There's still one meeting left if you fancy a day at the races in glorious North Devon on Sunday 4th of June you can book tickets here. Bratton Down

I haven't been in the village much this week, but got a surprise when I picked Betsy up from Sunday school at Witheridge Church. Sunday school seems to have changed since I was a regular at the Gospel Hall in Tiverton. Back in the day it used to be a pretty dull affair where we sang about being 'Fishers of Men' and the like. I got a bit of a shock when there was a huge owl named Warwick perched near the pulpit. I was by the lovely couple who raised the owl from a chick 20 odd years ago if I'd like a picture with Warwick. Of course I would, it's not every day you get asked that is it!

The heartburn versus angina saga reaches its conclusion on Friday week when I have been booked in for an angiogram - I'm told it's not too bad and you get to laze about in bed for half a day. The annoying thing is that it's Oaks day. Oh well, I have to find out what's up if anything, I hope to be well enough to drive up to the Derby on the Saturday. In the meantime, I'm up at Towcester for the heats of the Star Sports Greyhound Derby this Thursday and Friday. 

Si 

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