A great day at Archie’s

23rd July 2021

It’s brilliant to be back into the swing of our social days. It means owners are back enjoying their horses at the stables. We had a great day with Archie Watson on Thursday as owners in our recent breeze-up buys headed to Saxon Gate.

A bright, sunny morning greeted owners at the yard, set just a stone’s throw away from the spectacular Lambourn Downs, as they gathered within Archie’s impressive facilities.

Whilst owners arrived in the yard, they were supplied complimentary coffees and cakes by our excellent caterers Angela and Tony, who also supplied a homemade cloudy lemonade, which proved very popular in the warm summer temperatures.

As owners took in the vista and looked forward to seeing their horses in action they enjoyed the excellent refreshments whilst getting to know one another, and in many cases, meeting the Hambleton team for the first time.

The anticipation was building as owners left the yard to head up to the gallops and watch the soon-to-be-named two-year-old colts in action on the gallops.

With everyone in place the horses came past the gallery with Archie on hand to highlight each horse as they exercised in front of some impressed onlookers.

Archie and his team are well known for buying outstanding looking horses and they have certainly done that again with this year’s breeze-up boys.

With the gallops action over the horses headed back to down to the stables where they were to meet their owners at close quarters for those all-important naming day pictures.

Before the photos were taken Archie talked owners through each of the four breeze-up recruits whilst they stood in front of the gallery, highlighting his thoughts for all in a typically interesting and insightful way.

An impressed audience then took centre stage themselves as professional photographer Steven Cargill, on hand to take the pictures once again, proved a dab hand at organising owners with their horses, taking some stunning pictures.

After some time at the stables, everyone headed off to the award-winning pub the Queens Arms in nearby village East Garston, for drinks and a two-course lunch ahead of the all-important naming announcements.

The delicious lunch was much appreciated by all and shortly after Hambleton’s head racing manager Cosmo took centre stage to announce the names.

Cotai Star, Fly To Glory, Noble Anthem and Twelfth Knight are the new names to note and it would be no surprise if there is a star or two amongst them.

Colm, Eddie and Simon, all first-time owners with Hambleton, made a perfect start to their association by selecting the winning names for their horses whilst Ian and Pauline, owners of Glen Shiel and Miquelon at Saxon Gate, were delighted to have named Fly To Glory.

The names proved very popular with owners and a great atmosphere developed through the day as plenty of new owners found out first-hand how Hambleton like to do things.

It was great to back at the stables with a group of owners and to get the chance to meet so many new owners and welcome them to owning with Hambleton properly.

As ever, it was lovely to catch up with many existing friends who’ve we’ve enjoyed the support of for many years too.

Once again, our all-complimentary naming event proved a great day at Archie Watson’s and a most enjoyable day for all concerned.

It looks like we’ve some fabulous new syndicates and some very nice horses here which should hopefully be a recipe for a lot of enjoyment for this year and beyond!

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