Cecil Ross recaps his week as a horse trainer in Ireland. He discusses preparing Six of Hearts for a race by exercising the horse on the gallops. Six of Hearts wins the Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown, much to Ross' delight. Throughout the week, Ross works several horses, checks on the condition of the tracks, and socializes with other trainers while his nephew Willie and stable hand Davy care for the horses at the farm.

1. Racing Post Monday, June 7, 2010 17
Willie and Davy. We put two
three-year-olds through stalls then
work them up the Old Vic gallop. I
meet my friend Gordon Elliott in the
TRI Cafe. He is still celebrating the
great week he has had.
When we get back, Carol and our
neighbour John McCauley have gone
to the bog to foot turf – great variety
around here.
No racing on Saturday, but we
declare Doctor Woodfield this
morning for the 3m handicap chase at
Kilbeggan on Sunday. I’m a bit
worried about the ground though.
HHSaturday, June 5
Davy, Willie and I have a cup of tea. I
tell Davy that Six Of Hearts was
entered at Leopardstown on Thursday.
and I head for Colin and Jessica
Magnier’s Skryne gallops. I meet
Barry Cash there, who schools five
horses, some young and some not so
young. All goes well.
I get a hoax call later from a chap
calling himself Sheikh Mohammed –
though it turns out to be Eddie
O’Grady – asking us to take four
horses. He says he will build the
stables himself! The real reason for
the call was for me to take a look at
the ground at Kilbeggan for him. They
are working hard at watering the
course there.
End the day with tea, rhubarb tart
and bed – knackered.
HHFriday, June 4
I go to the Curragh this morning with
Trainer CecilRossenjoys the aftermath
of his big-race success with Six Of Hearts
HHSunday, May 30
Willie Ross, my nephew, and Davy
McCormack, who’s a local lad that’s
been here 30 or 40 years and comes
and goes as he pleases, are in early.
They have some on the walker and
others let out in the paddock. Willie
gives Pat [Six Of Hearts] a limber up
but is nearly unshipped when a
balloon blows on to the gallop from a
party over the road. Not a great start
to his preparation for today’s
Ballycorus Stakes.
An hour and a quarter up to
Leopardstown, where Pat gives us an
unbelievable day with a dog-tough
win under a brilliant ride from Davy
Moran. The worry I have afterwards is
talking ‘bull’ to the press – not used to
that but think I pull it off.
My wife Carol has balloons waving
in the yard when we get home and we
sit down with Willie and Sharon
Donnelly for a good dinner. Anthony
Ross, a brother of Willie’s, rings to say
well done and congratulate himself
for buying Pat. Anthony bought Pat at
Doncaster.
HHMonday, May 31
Willie and Davy are in early, as usual,
and have the horses fed and mucked
out before our work-rider Johnny
Gerety strolls in at 7.30am, very
shook after a weekend wedding in
Clare. Our other work-rider Dan is in
a bit later for other reasons. Dan is a
grandson of Mick Foster – from Foster
and Allen – and was the man who
christened Six Of Hearts Pat. All
horses are ridden out and get a spin
in the paddocks.
It’s a busy day with lots of phone
calls and texts. Among them is Ted
Walsh, who rings looking for Henry
Cecil, and Gordon Elliott, who calls to
say “well done Stoutey”!
My brother Alan comes down in the
evening for a few drinks, which is a
grand way to end the day.
HHTuesday, June 1
We work five horses on Mark Fagan’s
hill gallop. Tony Broughan, Gerry
Hussey and David Kiernan meet us
and ride three of them.
I discover coming home that it is
our wedding anniversary as I’m
paying for diesel and ask the girl at
the counter what the date is – very
romantic!
When I get back I get roped into
helping Carol with sheep and feeding
pet lambs. I dislike sheep and
broodmares equally! We have a quiet
evening and I’m tired.
HHWednesday, June 2
All ridden out at home. Pat is out in
the paddock and full of beans. I help
put some small water tanks in the
paddocks and sow some grass seeds.
You can be a busy fool around here.
John Butler and Seamus – the main
guys in the Round Tower Syndicate
who own Pat – come down. They
praise Carol’s rhubarb tart and take a
look at their horses. Everyone is still
on a high from Sunday’s big win. I get
caught out for buying too many
newspapers. Only read one though –
the Racing Post.
HHThursday, June 3
All in early. Willie and Davy look after
things at home, while Dan, Johnny
All worthwhile as Pat does us proud
MY WEEK
Cecil Ross (fourth from left) leads the celebrations for the Round Tower syndicate after Six Of Hearts wins the Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown
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Ryan Moore winsThe Derby (Gr 1) on Saturday
to complete a British Classic double.
Davy says: “If I was training these
horses, and it won’t be long until I
am, I’d do things a lot different!” He’d
suggest six weeks between runs for
Six Of Hearts and four months for the
rest of the horses out in the field.
Davy is the life and soul of this
place.
The horses are ridden out and the
sand is very dry – it’s 11 years old and
I’ve never seen it as dry as this – I’m
going to try to water it. Carol, as ever,
feeds everyone at 11am.
It’s been a great week, one we’re
not used to and I’m so thankful to the
Round Tower men and everyone who
wished us well. I hope things get even
better with Doctor Woodfield running
at Kilbeggan tomorrow. He has a great
chance if the ground isn’t too fast.
IRE