This morning Liz came into my box and started twiddling about with my mane and tail. I don’t know what she was doing it for but I looked a bit like a girl after she had finished! Well, I thought something was up when I only had to do one canter in the morning, looking after Rouge Nuage. He had told me he had finished 4th in a race at Yarmouth on Thursday. Not bad I thought, as I finished 5th there once! He teased me for finishing last that day, as he said there were only 5 runners! He is such a show off!

Anyway, I thought I had the rest of the day off. The next thing I know Liz is finishing off my hair, washing my face, polishing my feet and I am off hacking across the heath. Maybe she was taking me out to lunch ? (I am told she goes out to lunch all the time)! Anyway, we arrived at the July racecourse, I thought I was retired! I thought it was very strange as I usually get a lift there and sometimes go with a friend. Well there were lots of horses and people there, the boss, some friends (Julie, Paul and Mark) and Josie were there to meet us.

I walked around the paddock and Liz was still on me, none of those little people with bright colours on were anywhere to be seen. ( I did spot Jimmy Quinn in the corner watching me) So it turned out that all I had to do was walk about and trot a bit in front of a man in a funny hat, then I had to just stand there. I like standing about as it is much easier that trying to run fast. I was lined up looking at the crowd who were all looking at me then all of sudden everyone around me went crazy and started to pat me, saying well done Stormy!! I thought they had gone mad. I hadn’t really done anything but a lady came up to me with some flowery things that they call rosettes and a coloured sash and put them on me and Liz. Then everyone took lots of pictures of me and gave me loads of presents. They all said I had won but I hadn’t even got out of the paddock !! I was quite confused. Next thing I know, Liz hacks me home where everyone is there to meet me. More photo’s, they put the sash back on, a rug which had winner on it and still everyone was making a fuss. I walked past Rouge Nuage and I think he was a bit jealous but I gave him some of my winners treats anyway. I have been told that I have to thank #Newmarketracecoursesponsors #ROR (Retraining Of Racehorses) and a shop called #Forelockandload for putting on a show for Newmarket Hacks and that they gave me the presents. That was because they thought I was the best! It was much easier than racing as I just had to stand about. Apparently I am quite good at it. I am now officially a winner and I am only four.

Then finally I got some lunch !!