Kim: “So what are you writing about?”
Me: “Just about to describe how excited I am about this week”
Kim “Awww thanks babe. It will be fantastic!”
Me : “I certainly hope so”
Kim leaves the room
Hi everyone! Freedom to Dream is declared to run at Limerick on Thursday in a beginner’s chase. It is very exciting and made the more so by the unconditional support and encouragement of my wife. I won’t actually be there because Kim and I are flying to Italy on Saturday for a couple of weeks to celebrate a big birthday (for Kim, not me, I’ve had too many ‘big’ birthdays, thank you!)
Wait a minute! You don’t think she thought I was talking about….??
Author’s note: You will read references to “we” in the upcoming narrative. To be absolutely clear, “we” means Peter and his staff. It would be stretching incredulity to think it included me in any way!
This is the first time in over a year that we have got Freedom to Dream anywhere near right and, while there will be plenty of improvement, he is fit enough to do himself justice. The 2022/23 season was a little frustrating: his first run over fences was, actually, not too bad in retrospect on ground that was pretty tacky; the second run was very inconclusive with a bad mistake accompanied by him banging his nose on the ground which put an end to his race. At that point, we decided to revert to hurdles with the hope of going to Cheltenham after the Dublin Racing Festival. Those plans were firmly put aside when he ran a very lifeless race at Leopardstown and we decided to get him fully checked over. The results provided no insight; there was nothing physically wrong; well, except for one thing: he had very mild ulcers (barely Grade 1). Now, if you have followed this blog for some time, you will recall that we have had some experience with ulcers before: Bay of Freedom could get Grade 4 ulcers just by standing in a box on the way to the races. It’s a good job he’s enjoying retirement in Wexford or I could just imagine him saying “you call them ulcers? I’ll show you ulcers!”
We had nothing to go on except the ulcer diagnosis; it made sense in some regards as Freedom to Dream’s coat had just not come right all year; ever since he returned from Cheltenham when, we reminded ourselves, he had lost over 50kg (almost 10% of his bodyweight). Peter had spent all year trying to get the weight back on him and it was proving a tough job, so, with the ulcer diagnosis, decided to back right off of him and put him out to grass and treat him with Gastrogard. Slowly, but surely, he has gained some condition (curious horse speak for putting weight on) and his coat is much better.
What do I expect on Thursday? Well, let me start with a caveat: he may not actually run! It all depends on the ground: if Peter deems it too quick on the day, then he will pull him out of the race. Right now, the ground is described as good, but with a warm dry day forecast and the race being at 6.30pm we just have to hope that the course has been liberally watered. If it’s good safe ground, he will run and I (and Peter) are hopeful he will run a big race. It is not an easy race but his best hurdles form would give him a leading chance. I could not dismiss any of the fancied horses although Thursday’s race may come too soon for the likely favourite: The Friday Man.
Actually, the one I would fear most, and not because of our Italian vacation, is Caesar Rock who ran well at Killarney and had a great view of Saldier trying to put Vina Ardanza into the stands!
If we do pull him out on Friday then we will be at the mercy of the Irish Fixture list. There are only two possible races for him prior to July (one at Clonmel and one at Punchestown) with both being restricted to jockeys who rode 15 winners or less last season. That’s very restricting although that group does include Sam Ewing (he’s still injured, I think)
At least Willie Mullins doesn’t have a runner in our race. One of the more incredible (and frightening) statistics was that his prizemoney from the Punchestown Festival alone would have placed him fourth in the Trainers Championship; incredible!
Sean Flanagan takes the ride tomorrow. He’s schooled Freedom to Dream and has seemed happy with him. Not sure how he’s getting to Limerick, but he has been known to pilot his Robin DR400 to the races. It’s a strange day when the second most dangerous thing you do is pilot a tiny four-seater plane.
A quick Suprise Package update: He is extremely well and back in full training and loving it. We hope to find something for him early July but have no idea what. To say all options are open is an understatement: it could be anything from a run on the Flat (not easy finding maidens for 7 year-olds) to a good handicap hurdle to a 2m beginners chase. Peter seems convinced he has enough speed for the flat so it’s tempting to have a crack, but then I keep thinking the Imperial Cup form looks pretty decent so we might still have a chance over hurdles. Then again, the 2m novice chase division can often be weak…….I just don’t know. Welcome to any bright ideas!
It's a pity there’s not a suitable race on June 25th; the 10 year anniversary of when I first met Peter and Ber; a lot has happened in those 10 years! We must find a suitable way of celebrating and, with that in mind, I plan to sample a suitable amount of Peroni, great Tuscan wines and Sambuca over the next two weeks. If things go well tomorrow, we might need to start with a bottle of Champagne!
Wish us luck (and by “us”, I mean, of course, Peter and me)