Gwafa’s bags are packed for Spain

Jerry Walsh and Sophie Webber are being helped by all the team here to pack up Gwafa’s kit and ready everything for his departure tonight. The horse’s blood, tracheal-wash and temperature are all good and he seems as fresh and well as we can have him. 

Gwafa’s devoted lass Becky Cupit has to stay behind to look after their daughter Megan, otherwise Daddy Danny Hannig would be left in charge! This means that my daughter gets to travel and experience international racing for the first time.

With the enormous help of Luck Greayer Bloodstock Shipping, our route has been planned in minute detail. Gwafa leaves here at 19.00 to catch the night-boat from Portsmouth-Le Havre where he docks at 05.30am, then goes two hours to Haras Du Buff, a beautiful farm owned by the Le Metayer family. There the horse will rest up and have a couple of hours in a paddock to get his head down after travelling over-night. He will also have an intravenous drip of electrolites and minerals, as the Spanish authorities no longer permit them.

When Gwafa, Jerry and Sophie are well rested, they will leave in the evening when its cooler to travel and the 469 miles to Hippodromo de San Sebastian, where they should arrive at 08.00 on Saturday morning. Nick Higgins who does such a great job at European rep. for San Sebastian will be waiting there to help settle everybody in.

Depending how hot it is there and temperature are forecast to get to 37c. on Sunday and Monday, Gwafa will either be ridden or lead out on Saturday afternoon and then have trot and canter on the track on Sunday and Monday mornings.

The Copo D’Oro which is the third richest Listed race in Europe goes off at 18.00 Spanish time, therefore 5pm English time. The race can be viewed live at www.hipodromoa.com. The only benefit of Brexit that I can currently observe is that the Euro40K first prize is worth a lot more than it was before 23rd June! There are 16 declarations, but a couple may come out before post-time. It looks as though Gwafa will be third favourite behind Nemqueteba who won this year’s Spanish Derby and Flanders Flame who won The Spanish Guineas, but was rated 53 with Richard Fahey last year!

Everything has gone to plan so far, but no doubt there will be bumps in the road for us to overcome along the way!

Buenos Suerte a todos!

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