Wasn't it fun to see my big brother, Kestral, win the major race at Thirsk on Wednesday?

He's actually a half-brother of mine but I've always seen him as a full-brother ever since he stood up for me when I was bullied by some older horses.

He's a few years older than me and frightened the bullies so much that they're always nice to me now, even asking if I want any favours doing, which is nice.

Kestral is also trained by Tim Etherington at Wold House Stables, Langton, and his victory at Thirsk was his third win of the season. He won the £10,000 Carlisle Bell - one of the oldest races in British racing - after taking the lead in the final furlong from Medraar.

He told me the win was especially sweet because Medraar had been boasting all week that he was going to win the Bell and even whispered to Kestral at the start that he was going to show him a clean pair of hooves, literally.

Apparently, the Carlisle Bell meeting, annually held at Carlisle, was run at Thirsk this year because of the continuing foot-and-mouth problems in Cumbria - but with Medraar I think it was a case of foot-in-mouth problems.

Anyway, best go. I've probably got less than a month to get ready for my first race so I don't want to waste a minute of training.

Regards,

Evening Press

Updated: 14:59 Friday, June 29, 2001