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Racing Post Monday, June 7, 2010 17

Willie and Davy. We put two three-year-olds through stalls thenwork them up the Old Vic gallop. Imeet my friend Gordon Elliott in theTRI Cafe. He is still celebrating thegreat week he has had.

When we get back, Carol and ourneighbour John McCauley have goneto the bog to foot turf – great varietyaround here.

No racing on Saturday, but wedeclare Doctor Woodfield thismorning for the 3m handicap chase atKilbeggan on Sunday. I’m a bitworried about the ground though.

jjSaturday, June 5Davy, Willie and I have a cup of tea. Itell Davy that Six Of Hearts wasentered at Leopardstown on Thursday.

and I head for Colin and JessicaMagnier’s Skryne gallops. I meetBarry Cash there, who schools fivehorses, some young and some not soyoung. All goes well.

I get a hoax call later from a chapcalling himself Sheikh Mohammed –though it turns out to be EddieO’Grady – asking us to take fourhorses. He says he will build thestables himself! The real reason forthe call was for me to take a look atthe ground at Kilbeggan for him. Theyare working hard at watering thecourse there.

End the day with tea, rhubarb tartand bed – knackered.

jjFriday, June 4 I go to the Curragh this morning with

Trainer Cecil Ross enjoys the aftermathof his big-race success with Six Of Hearts

jjSunday, May 30 Willie Ross, my nephew, and DavyMcCormack, who’s a local lad that’sbeen here 30 or 40 years and comesand goes as he pleases, are in early.They have some on the walker andothers let out in the paddock. Williegives Pat [Six Of Hearts] a limber upbut is nearly unshipped when aballoon blows on to the gallop from aparty over the road. Not a great startto his preparation for today’sBallycorus Stakes.

An hour and a quarter up toLeopardstown, where Pat gives us anunbelievable day with a dog-toughwin under a brilliant ride from DavyMoran. The worry I have afterwards istalking ‘bull’ to the press – not used tothat but think I pull it off.

My wife Carol has balloons wavingin the yard when we get home and wesit down with Willie and SharonDonnelly for a good dinner. AnthonyRoss, a brother of Willie’s, rings to saywell done and congratulate himselffor buying Pat. Anthony bought Pat atDoncaster.

jjMonday, May 31 Willie and Davy are in early, as usual,and have the horses fed and muckedout before our work-rider JohnnyGerety strolls in at 7.30am, veryshook after a weekend wedding inClare. Our other work-rider Dan is ina bit later for other reasons. Dan is agrandson of Mick Foster – from Fosterand Allen – and was the man whochristened Six Of Hearts Pat. Allhorses are ridden out and get a spinin the paddocks.

It’s a busy day with lots of phonecalls and texts. Among them is TedWalsh, who rings looking for HenryCecil, and Gordon Elliott, who calls tosay “well done Stoutey”!

My brother Alan comes down in theevening for a few drinks, which is agrand way to end the day.

jjTuesday, June 1 We work five horses on Mark Fagan’shill gallop. Tony Broughan, GerryHussey and David Kiernan meet usand ride three of them.

I discover coming home that it isour wedding anniversary as I’mpaying for diesel and ask the girl atthe counter what the date is – veryromantic!

When I get back I get roped intohelping Carol with sheep and feedingpet lambs. I dislike sheep andbroodmares equally! We have a quietevening and I’m tired.

jjWednesday, June 2 All ridden out at home. Pat is out inthe paddock and full of beans. I helpput some small water tanks in thepaddocks and sow some grass seeds.You can be a busy fool around here.

John Butler and Seamus – the mainguys in the Round Tower Syndicatewho own Pat – come down. Theypraise Carol’s rhubarb tart and take alook at their horses. Everyone is stillon a high from Sunday’s big win. I getcaught out for buying too manynewspapers. Only read one though –the Racing Post.

jjThursday, June 3 All in early. Willie and Davy look afterthings at home, while Dan, Johnny

All worthwhile as Pat does us proudMY WEEK

Cecil Ross (fourth from left) leads the celebrations for the Round Tower syndicate after Six Of Hearts wins the Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown

CAROLINE NORRIS

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Ryan Moore wins The Derby (Gr 1) on Saturday to complete a British Classic double.

Davy says: “If I was training thesehorses, and it won’t be long until Iam, I’d do things a lot different!” He’dsuggest six weeks between runs forSix Of Hearts and four months for therest of the horses out in the field.Davy is the life and soul of this place.

The horses are ridden out and thesand is very dry – it’s 11 years old andI’ve never seen it as dry as this – I’mgoing to try to water it. Carol, as ever,feeds everyone at 11am.

It’s been a great week, one we’renot used to and I’m so thankful to theRound Tower men and everyone whowished us well. I hope things get evenbetter with Doctor Woodfield runningat Kilbeggan tomorrow. He has a greatchance if the ground isn’t too fast.

IRE