Autumn at The National Stud
21 September 2001
Anne-Lise Riis Jensen is the assistant manager at The National Stud, racing’s breeding headquarters in Newmarket. She has since left the stud to do an MBA in Equine Business Management
Autumn is upon us and yearling preparation is underway. Ten yearlings will go to the sales and two are off into training. The yearlings are being walked in-hand for 30mins, before being turned until early afternoon and are rugged up overnight.
Weaning is also in full swing. We use the gradual weaning method to keep stress to a minimum. This involves removing one mare at a time from the group of mares and foals, starting with the mothers of the boldest youngsters. The foals are normally quite happy to stay with their “friends” when their dams disappear.
If you follow racing you will know that our multiple Group-winning young horse Golden Snake was retired after the King George, due to a bone chip in his knee. He returned to Newmarket to have the chip removed and has made an excellent recovery. He is now on walking exercise around the stud twice a day.
Golden Snake has taken his lifestyle change well and remains as relaxed as always. He will begin stud duties next season and breeders can see him and our other stallions at the Stud Fair on 1-2 December.
The other stallions, Bahamian Bounty, Silver Patriarch, Emarati and Handsome Ridge, are still enjoying holidays in their paddocks. They will come in soon and their preparation for the Fair and the forthcoming season will start.
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Plans are well underway for the Fair, which is sponsored by Horse & Hound. Visitors will see Arab and competition stallions as well as new and established flat stallions. A side-saddle display, the Discover Racing roadshow and the Aintree Grand National Ride simulator will also be present, plus a range of shopping opportunities.
I will be coming back to Newmarket for the December sales and the Fair,but in the meantime a lot of study must be done. I also need to find accommodation in Gloucestershire – which is not proving easy with two dogs!
With best wishes, Anne-Lise
