A pretty desperate effort from Bay of Freedom today. He never went a yard and was pulled up before the last hurdle - mystifying. However, some intriguing information has come into my possession and is the closest we will probably ever come to an answer.
You've often heard the phrase "if only they could talk". Well, with the benefit of modern espionage listening devices and talking horse translation services, I am now able to provide details of a conversation that took place a few days ago between Bay of Freedom and Credo Star
LOCATION - ROEFIELD STABLES DATE: TUESDAY 26TH JULY, 2016
RECORDED CONVERSATION BETWEEN BAY OF FREEDOM (BOF) AND CREDO STAR (CS)
BOF Hi Credo! How’s it going my man?
CS er..I’m a mare Bay
BOF That’s right – you’re pregnant aren’t you?
CS I think the technical term is ‘in foal’
BOF Whatever!
CS I’m off to Galway on Sunday – it’s my last race before retirement
BOF I should try that
CS What? Go to Galway?
BOF No..retire!
CS Good luck with that!
BOF Let’s be honest. I would be much better standing around looking fabulous
CS You sound like your owner’s wife
BOF That eejit who lives in America?
CS Oh yes. Anyway, how did it go at the Curragh this morning?
BOF I screwed up. Showed way too much speed and ability – it’s not easy remembering to rein it in when you’re as good as me Credo
CS Oh I don’t know Bay; you seem to do a pretty good job of it to me
BOF A little more respect please Credo. I did finish 9th in the Cheltenham Bumper
CS You can’t rest on that laurel for the rest of your life Bay
BOF I’m not – that’s why I decided to win at Wexford. Figured that should keep me in good books for a while
CS Excited about going chasing? Master Bones said you schooled well when he was teaching you
BOF He’s a bit full of himself for a horse who’s never won a race
CS Not as much as X
BOF Xsquared?
CS He’s won 4 races on the bounce and now he thinks he’s the stable star. He’s only been here since January
BOF He will be unbearable if he wins on Thursday
CS That’s why I’m going to Galway – get out of his way
BOF It’s worse for me – Gavin is all over him and hardly paying any attention to me
CS That doesn’t sound like Gavin
BOF Well..how do you explain him letting that eejit Sexton keep riding me?
CS He rides X as well
BOF Hmmm. You know what the Boss said today?
CS Ber?
BOF Ah very funny. You women crack me up!!
CS What did Peter say then?
BOF That, based on my work today, he wouldn’t mind entering me in a 2 mile flat race
CS He’s crazy!
BOF Don’t worry, it’s not going to happen. I have a plan.
CS Amaze me Bay!
BOF Why don’t I run in your race at Galway? It’s 3 miles so if I show that I’m too slow for 3 miles over hurdles then he’ll never run me on the flat.
CS You don’t mind going all the way to Galway just to waste your time?
BOF If my owner’s prepared to do it then so am I!
CS You don’t like your owner do you?
BOF He was OK to start with but then I found out he named me after some romantic vacation he had with his wife – that’s pretty pathetic
CS So why did you win in Wexford
BOF Well, in fairness, he did get me my own automatic feeder and also his wife was there and she’s really attractive ..even when she’s rain soaked
CS Anyway, back to Sunday. If you do come, why don’t you run out the back with me? We don’t even have to jump them all if you don’t want to.
BOF Interesting I’ve never been pulled up before – I think it’s overdue.
CS Fantastic! Great chatting to you Bay …it’s a pity you’re a gelding
BOF Calm down there Credo. Let’s make final plans in the horsebox on Sunday
CS Great idea. See you Bay!
BOF See you Credo!