Hector's Vacation

There were no early risings; at least while Dad went out to get his paper we were fast asleep, enjoying the air-conditioning. After having some fruit for breakfast we headed up to the golf course with the intention of finishing in time for an early lunch. The round was quite appalling, both of us going round in 50-14 over par for 9 holes. After a home-made lunch bought from the supermarket- pic-nic in the bedroom, we headed over to 'Hippodrome de Clairefontaine' to meet John Hammond for a cup of coffee as he had two runners and he was leaving today until Saturday.
We parked in a field next to the course wandered into the course, there running ino Helen Barbe, the stable girl that used to babysit my sister and I for many years, but now grown up, married with three children and managing CP Lemaire- an extremely successful French jockey. We also bumped into David Powell and his elder son before finding JH. He was in quite a good spirit and we chatted on the terrace while waiting for the runners to go down to the start. There were several maidens in the race so it took the stall handlers some time to get them all in.

The race was under way and Hector was extremely excited as this was his very first horse race that he had ever seen in the flesh. He wasn't at all scared by the rumbling ground as the horses thundered past the stands for the first time. There is so much energy in the air when the horses come down to the finishing straight; it truly is an incredible experience. Unfortunately both of John's horses came nowhere and the small wager placed on the better of the two was in vain. JH was kind enough to offer to buy us the coffee's seeing as he'd cost us already- but he promises they will get us our money back in time, he is very confident of this- and JH has won the Arc de Triumphe twice so is no amateur.

We first went round to the winners' enclosure to see the horses unsaddle and to allow JH to talk to his jockey's about the ride. Hector was fascinated by the horses, they were right in front of us, snorting like an irate dragon on account of still being out of breath and very grateful for the buckets of water being thrown over them by their handlers. JH emerged and we went round to the terrace restaurant. Being there brought back many fond memories of my youth when we would have lunch there with friends, watch the racing and occasionally pop out to the adventure playground or take pony rides- Oh to be young again!

On the way into the restaurant none other than Cash Asmussen, a very great friend and former jockey who I hadn't seen for perhaps 9 years. A very odd feeling as the last time I saw him I was looking up at him as a very young boy and now I was looking down form above on a face that had hardly changed. He's now helping to breed and train horses with his wife in america, doing extremely well just as his brother is. Hector was pleased to meet such a figure of my past and spent most of the time lost for words, not at all like his usual self.
We all sat for coffee and chatted about the present horses in training with JH and about the future prospects for claiming two year olds. There were many old stories recounted from days gone by and we also discussed Oscar, who Sarah was taking to Chessington that day. While enjoying our drinks Msr Herves, of the bar Chez Herves came over to say hello, which was nice of him- no doubt we'll be paying him a visit at some point.

After watching a few more races we departed, bidding farewell to John until Saturday and headed off to the golf course again to fit in another 9holes. The weather was very odd this afternoon, swirling heavy clouds with intermittent sunshine, but my faith in the Deauville weather was restored as the sun battled through to reveal a beautiful afternoon and early evening.