Those attending the Jess Westwood Racing & Westwood Pointing Open Day on Sunday October 13th were treated to a fabulous afternoon. Over 100 people attended the open day where they got to meet the six horses currently in Jess’s charge. Monkerty Tunkerty we are all familiar with following his wins at Wadebridge and dramatic hunter chase win at Warwick two seasons ago. Monkey had a mixed season last time out where the Cheltenham festival was the target, starting well winning at Wincanton & Doncaster as well as finishing seventh in the JLT at Cheltenham, but suffered from a few niggles and minor injuries. This season he will be targeting a longer distance handicap.
Geton Xmoor was intended to go pointing last year before suffering a minor leg injury and will now be targeted at novice hurdles in April, ForrardOn Xmoor is related to Rag Trade, one of the few horses to beat Red Rum in a Grand National, and Jess thinks he might be a future national horse himself, but he will be starting in novice hurdles this season. Also paraded were Bless Me Jim an exciting 3 year old by Babodana out of a Double Trigger mare, winning Young Stock Champion as a foal and will aimed for some EBF Bumpers before Christmas. 3 year old Sirop De Menthe a new recruit from France whose name Jess has been learning how to pronounce and comes to the yard on the back of good form in France and England. Exmoor Challenge completes the sextet and is regarded as one for the future, being given a bit of time to mature and should run in the spring.
Jess believes to get the best out of your horse you have to have Happy Horses, happy staff & happy Owners. The guests were treated to delicious soups, scones and an inviting array of cakes and given an opportunity to donate to the Devon Air Ambulance Trust. Jess is excited about her prospects this season and will certainly build on the 11 wins since starting out in 2007, whilst intending to remain a small yard who can devote one on one attend to their horses, Jess does plan to expand and fill more National Hunt and Point-To-Point boxes.
