Some time ago my son and I entered a Charity Auction to spend time with the top Race Horse Trainers at the Studs. You could choose whichever Trainer you wanted to visit. It was a silent Auction. Jack and I chose Nicky Henderson because he had the horse we desperately wanted to see. Consistution Hill and Shishkin. Although all Nicky’s horses are wonderful. So this Auction ended at mighnight from what I remember and we were determined to stay up. It went up and up, and we decided to pay half each. In the end it actually ended at £300, when the last peson bidding against us finally gave up and we won. We were over the moon. We actually got a voucher and then we had to arrange a date with Nicky’s Secretrary. We decided that December wasn’t the best time, so waited and finally got to March, and then the worst thing happened. Cheltenham. He ran his horses so it had to be put off, so we made another date. Constitution Hill having already been ill.
But – his Secretary was fantastic and said – Look don’t worry. You will get here. If Nicky makes a promise. Nicky keeps a promise.
So three days ago. We set out for Nicky’s yard. We got there at silly O Clock in the morning. Parked Jack’s car, looked around and the stable staff were so lovely and said – over there. So we went over there – to be told – down there under that arch. So we went down there and under that arch, to be told why are you waiting under that arch? To be told why are you waiting under that arch. Come into the House for goodness sake and get warm. Tea is waiting. This was Nicky’s wife!
Come on – inside and get warm. What a lovely warm hearted lady Mrs. Henderson is. Warm tea and them came breakfast. Sausage, bacon and eggs and then toast alright? Alright? It was more than alright.
Nicky will be here she said, but he will be in a different world until he sorts out the runner. He has to make his Declarations before 10am. She explained. So we chat to Mrs. Nicky about her part of things. We had taken plenty of carrots, and little cake bites and other things for the stables lads and lasses. Now this was the bit we didn’t understand. You would have thought we’d taken a million dollare for the stable lads and lasses. We always do if we go somewhere. Apparantly people don’t don’t anything for them!
Anyway, we’re having our breakfast and in comes Nicky. Good Morning Nicky we both say. All we get is a grunt as he sits down next to me and picks up a piece of paper and starts looking at it with a pen. In comes one of the top Jockeys – blowed if I can remember his name.
Nicky – we have important visitors here with us – snaps his wife.
“What?” he snaps and starts to eat eggs, bacon and sausage with his fingers. Didn’t even look at us.
“Take no notice” said the Jockey. “Talk to me as well. He has to get this down and decide where he’s going to run them to give them the best place of winning and taking other the other Trainers Horses. Otherwise we’re done for.
“It’s OK” says Jack. “It’s watching a Master at work. Leave it alone. It’s brilliant”
Jack suddenly overhears a phone call with a man he know from Middleham Park talking about a horse he’s involved with. Jack makes some sort of comment about it and Nicky pricks up his ears and actually listens to Jack.
Anyway when it’s all done it’s time for us to start our Tour. Jack and I go in a Land Rover with Nicky’s wife. It was so muddy you would not believe at Seven Barrow. Jack gets out every time but Nicky advises that, with a back problem to stay inside and his wife Parks the Land Rover in such a way that I don’t miss a thing. and explained everything to me word for word.
Both Jack and I were speechless by the way that Nicky trains these horses for the the love that him and his staff have for them. The one horse that really impressed me was Marie’s Rock. She was alone going over some fence. Bit like the ones you see Show Jumpers go over.
Head held high – the perfect frame. It was a though she look back and us and you could read her mind.
I am Marie’s Rock. And? You are?
From there we went up on the gallops, watch the horses being worked. Then when Nicky had finished, he said It’s time for me to spend some time with these lovely people and before we knew it he had got into the Land Rover with us and we saw Nicky Henderson, the absolute Genius of a man. Driver? Yes well that’s another question. He drove down the side of his string of horse and chatter to each of his Jockeys about how each horse had acted then, he suddenly turned the Land Rover, opened both mine and Jack’s windows and said now we Gallop.
This was the moment when I thought I would die. String of horses I suppose were going to gallop. He put his foot down and just went. What an amazing experience to drive at the same speed as Race Horses. The power of those horses was something I never thought I would ever know. When it was finally over, I admit I had tears running down my face.
And he knew it!
We then went back to the house to pick up our things and say our goodbyes. Sadly we couldn’t see any of the Horses close up because Nicky has had so many problems with illness with his horses that only him, Sophie, his wife, and the jockeys and stable stable were allowed near them, but after the day they had given us, who were we to complain.
Thank you Nicky, and Sophie. Nicky Henderson, a true Gentleman and a lovely, lovely man.
Carol Yeomanson Books 