Travel Update

Well we are all finally back in London after travelling around Europe for the last three weeks.  Karyn returns from Italy and Portugal and David has been to France, Germany and Switzerland and we all convened in London on Friday night.  We are back to spend a few nights with Lydia before we travel back to New Zealand.

David reports -

The highlight of the trip for me was buying my first yearling in Europe, a most attractive Fastnet Rock colt for just 70,000 euros.  This colt has a pedigree to stand at stud for sure if he is good enough on the racetrack.  Next year I would like to return to Europe and buy two or three yearlings - wouldn't it be fun to have a colt run in the English Derby?

I also enjoyed visiting the various vineyards between our France and Germany commitments (funny that - Ed)!  The wine we tasted at Mouton Rothschild and Cheval Blanc was just unbelievable.

Earlier this week however was one of the other major highlights for me that I have already shared with you - I went to Newmarket and met the superstar Frankel.  I stayed with the Hon. Peter Stanley whose brother Lord Derby raced the champion mare Ouija Board, who I also became acquainted with - she is a beautiful mare.

Peter Stanley spent some of his youth working at Pencarrow Stud in New Zealand.  He took us to see Frankel and what an animal he is!  He is simply impossible to fault and he has been a huge success in the breeding barn.  It was marvellous to be able to touch and pat the greatest racehorse ever.

Last night when Karyn arrived back in London (eventually after even more flight delays - grrr) after spending the last week in Portugal, we went out for dinner with Lydia and Mitch.  Lydia is working today at the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home but is making the most of our final days in London and joining us again tonight.