Warren Greatrex gives us the lowdown on how a top Lambourn trainer deals with the coronavirus outbreak, from facing up to the reality of reduced numbers next season to Netflix recommendations.
It’s been a strange few weeks for everyone involved in racing – summed up by the fact I’ve taken part in a Joe Wicks Youtube exercise class and am now attempting to grow a beard along with all the lads in the yard!
Starting with the horses, though, and we’ve roughed a number off already but we’re mindful of leaving them out all night as it’s still a bit cold through the evenings and temperatures are meant to dip again next week.
We’re keeping a few ticking over in the hope that racing does return in some form before the height of summer but I’m not getting ahead of myself.
It’s obviously really frustrating but there’s nothing anyone can do about the whole situation and if it means that the majority of our horses don’t run again but come back a touch earlier in the autumn or September time then so be it.
As well as the beard-growing, we’re able to keep everyone busy in terms of stable staff and in fairness they’ve been amazing in adapting and listening to all the advice. We’re managing to keep people the recommended distance apart during breaks and things so hopefully there are no major issues.
We’ve not resorted to taking temperatures or anything yet but there’s plenty of sanitiser on the go and everyone is mindful of the situation as it’s massive for us with so many horses to keep healthy and cleaned out.
In terms of the National Hunt season on the whole, for whatever reason it hasn’t been my best at all up until this point. In fact, numbers-wise it’s basically been my worst so I was quite hopeful that after seeming to get them firing again in recent weeks that we’d be able to land a big pot or two.
But we'll have to remain patient and my owners have been great, they've all been incredibly understanding through what is such a tough period. The sales will be affected, clearly, and it could have quite a significant impact in the longer term when it comes to re-stocking and numbers overall, but it might just result in me starting off next season with 50-odd horses rather than 70 or so.
I’m half hoping after the year I’ve had that plenty of those 50-odd could be quite well handicapped!
On a personal level, the home schooling could probably do with a bit of work… Tess and I have the three girls with us at home and they range from the fairly studius to the youngest, whose attention span leaves plenty to be desired. But she’s learnt to ride her bike over these past few days so we’re not complaining. Everyone is facing their own challenges and it’s hard for so many people but we’re doing ok on the whole.
I did the Joe Wicks thing the other morning and was getting into it but the girls kept saying they needed the toilet – any excuse for them to get a break.
As for my sons, Thomas is down at Roger Charlton’s and riding out most mornings. I don’t think his routine has been too badly affected as he’s a bit of a PlayStation wizard and doesn’t seem to mind keeping his distance from other people.
Ed is over at Joseph O’Brien’s in Ireland where they’ve continued racing until recently. He’s absolutely loving his time with Joseph and is learning so much out there. He’s keeping himself busy and told me the other day he’d been milking cows too so another string to the bow and all that!
My parents are in their 80s so that’s on our mind a lot but they’re in a really safe place and were quite isolated as it was so they’re doing fine as things stand.
I’m sure like plenty of other people out there we’ve been keeping in touch with all the family and you’ve got to applaud the British public in general, given how the majority have responded to the coronavirus outbreak. There’s so much charitable work being done, people should be really proud, and there’s also some brilliant videos doing the rounds on social media.
As for TV, Tess and I have flown through watching Sex Education on Netflix. It’s probably not aimed at someone my age but is pretty amusing all the same. I’d also definitely recommended Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez, which I admit is a bit more serious but really entertaining and a good distraction from everything.
Keeping healthy, mentally and physically, is key throughout all this and I hope everyone is coping as well as possible.
Coming up next week...
- Let’s talk about... Tiger Roll
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- Dave Ord’s Grand National memories
- Ben Linfoot’s 2020 3yos
- Inside the Industry - Latest from Oli Bell
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- From the archives: Aintree Hurdle
- Let’s talk about... Esha Ness
- From the archives: Melling Chase
- Ed Chamberlin – Presenting the National
- Let’s talk about... best ever National bet
- From the archives: Liverpool Hurdle
- My National runner - Oli Bell
- Let’s talk about... Red Rum
- From the archives: Grand National
- How I won the National – Daryl Jacob
- Let’s talk about… What would’ve won this year’s National
- From the archives: Tiger Roll’s Nationals
- Ed Chamberlin – Five favourite Nationals