August 26, 2025 by Mike Madden

She’s Back!

A Star Is Reborn

It has been a long wait, but Star Of Lady M is entered in the Beverley Bullet on 30th August. This came as a bit of a surprise, but more of that later. For now, I am relieved that she has completed her recovery, and we can look forward to her autumn targets and beyond.

Star Of Lady M is ready to return to the track

Kitchen Kapers

The kitchen has been an interesting place recently, for a variety of reasons. Our plum tree is absolutely laden with fruit, and I made a moist plum cake with some of it. There will be more experiments with plums, including a plum vodka, and a plum fruit cheese. This is not actually cheese, it is a sliceable accompaniment. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

A bounty of plums

Sally decided to make a chilli, but she was concerned that Ole would eat it all. So, she put mushrooms in it as Ole hates them. Ole found out that chilli was on the stove and asked if it was ready. He then made his way to the kitchen, and he was horrified at the sight. “Why has it got mushrooms in?”

I explained that mum had put mushrooms in so he wouldn’t eat it.

“I’m having a bowl to spite her then,” he said, and he did.

Zac has completely revolutionised his diet, eating sweet and sour chicken, fajitas, and even making himself some tacos. He has discovered that he does not like pineapple, and he doesn’t like leftovers in general.

Green Shoots

The garden is coming to an end for the summer, but we do have tomatoes that have just appeared. There are also some other plants, but I can’t quite remember what they are supposed to be. Maybe chillies, we will find out when the first ones appear.

Not quite enough for soup

Anyone know what this is?

Didn’t We Have A Lovely Time…

Sally and myself decided on a day out, and we chose Anglesey as our destination. When I was a child we used to go there every year, and it was always Cemaes Bay that stood out.

Our progress was slow, but we eventually pulled in to the sleepy seaside resort. It has barely changed in 55 years, although the little cafe has disappeared. The bay is wide and sweeping, but very shallow. The tide goes out quickly, leaving seaweed and rock pools that are perfect for curious children, and it is very safe for swimming.

The beach at Cemaes Bay

Walking Back In Time

My favourite part was the walk up the hillside overlooking the beach. It was probably quite dangerous half a century ago, but now wooden barriers have been erected and the path is full of wooden steps. At the top of the path there seemed to be miles of untouched meadows and tracks down to the sea, but a lot of that ground has been fenced off. The path is now called the Anglesey Coastal Path, and although it is well signposted, there is still the opportunity to go off the beaten track. Clambering down some rocks I reached a cove that was sheltered from everything. There was not a sound to be heard, except for pulsatile tinnitus, but more of that later.

The hillside walk

Looking out to sea from the Anglesey Coastal Path

Total silence

Welsh wilderness

Another cove contained a secret cave, but I did not fancy a Famous Five style adventure and so returned to the beach. I don’t really remember the town of Cemaes, but today it is full of coloured buildings a bit like Balamory. At the seaside we had to have fish & chips, and it was excellent.

Five Get Cut Off By The Tide

Cemaes Bay from the Anglesey Coastal Path

Cottage Conundrum

Our next stop was a village called Llanfechell. This is where we used to stay, in a small cottage near a farm. That’s about all I could remember for sure, but I know there was a shop there too. My two older sisters remembered a bit more, and my middle sister actually went there probably around 30 years ago. She described the cottage, and in particular the bus stop outside. Llanfechell only really has two roads through it, and it was obvious where the cottages were, but there was no bus stop. I connected on Facetime and we pinpointed what we thought was the right cottage, and the path to the farm which had been closed off. I had fond memories of the farm, including the cat that we brought back and my first experience of real mousetraps.

My eldest sister remembered that the cottage was called Dilwyn, and it seemed that a cottage named Dilwyn had been sold recently. This seemed odd as the Dilwyn that was sold looked nothing like our cottage. We were clearly never going to get a definitive answer, so we settled on the only cottage that seemed to fit the double-fronted description that once had a ginnel.

Probably not this one

Maybe this one

It doesn’t really matter, it was just good to be able to go back 55 years, and for most things to have remained the same.

A Noisy Affair

I developed pulsatile tinnitus in September last year. It came on overnight. Unlike regular tinnitus, which is apparently constant and distracting, the pulsatile variety is more of a beat in time with your heart. I decided to get it checked out, and I managed to have a full MOT on my head and neck. The consultant said that he could find no source of the problem, which was good news. There was certainly nothing sinister causing it, and it was perhaps just a kink in an artery that had developed.  He convinced me that once I knew that there was nothing to worry about I would forget that I even had it. This is largely true, although when you find yourself in a situation of total silence, as I did in Anglesey, it can be something of an annoyance.

He also told me that he had found something unusual. The flow of blood through my jugular only happened on the left. My right side had nothing. He had never seen this before, but he said I have probably had it since birth, and again, it was nothing to worry about it. To be honest, I’ve never really thought about my jugular situation, and I thought that they were singular anyway!

The Sky’s The Limit

Ole got made redundant from his job at Sky when they closed the Stockport office. He was not particularly bothered by this, as he has been planning a trip to Asia and Australia at the end of November, and the generous redundancy package would certainly come in handy. He also got a new agent, and she has been providing plenty of self-tape auditions for him. One of these landed him a new role in a Channel 4 drama after a tape and an in-person meeting. Its still very hush hush so I can’t say any more about it, but I am sure all will be revealed soon enough. He starts next week, just a day or two after finishing at Sky.

Dreadlock Holiday

Zac has cut off some of his dreadlocks. I know this for two reasons. Firstly, he looks a bit different. Not massively, but enough to be able to tell. Secondly, the dreadlocks are currently residing on his desk.

Racing Matters

Perfect Percy

Percy’s Daydream gave MMM Racing another day to remember at Leicester. We ignored a few other options, and we were rewarded with just 6 opponents. I considered that we had the best form in the race, but that does not always work out. In this case, as long as the ground held up, we would have a great chance, and the well-regarded Kevin Stott was our jockey.

Percy’s Daydream ready to race at Leicester

Leicester had improved their facilities significantly since the last time we were there, and it was a relaxed atmosphere on a sunny afternoon. David O’Meara recorded a message explaining that we would be held up and kept quiet, but half an hour before the off he rang and things changed. As there was not much pace in the race, we would possibly go forward and be ridden prominently.

Kevin Stott explained the same thing in the parade ring, and they were soon off to the start. Percy’s Daydream was loaded early, which was not a part of the plan. With just seven runners this should not have made a difference, but every little advantage gives you more hope. The gates opened and Percy’s Daydream broke well. Requisite went past on the rail, but Kevin was happy to let our filly sit handy in second. Into the straight and she was travelling well.

The Plan Comes Together

The volume increased in the stands, as cheers of encouragement changed to screams. Past the two pole and she took it up, easily outpacing the long-time leader. The favourite was boxed in, but the lowest-weighted Cynthia was coming fast. A furlong out we were maintaining our distance, and with half a furlong to go we had it sewn up. Towards the line Kevin eased off and Cynthia got very close, but he knew what he was doing and the race was over. Percy’s Daydream won by a very comfortable head.

This was the first time she had actually got her head in front, and she had done it in style. It was interesting to see the various reactions. There were a few tears, a few screams, and a few contented smiles with the hope of more to come.

Can We Have A Word?

We rushed around to the winner’s enclosure, where Kevin was bringing her in. RacingTV wanted an interview, and I happily stepped forward. The interviewer asked me about the syndicate, and I told her that we had people from Manchester, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Surrey, everywhere. I forgot to mention Stoke! She then asked what it was like having a horse with David O’Meara. I had to point out that I had Star Of Lady M with him, so I was used to winning, and now the syndicate were too. She suggested that David likes to have a plan, which, in my experience, is not always the case. She then suggested that the Ebor festival might be on the agenda, and I had to calm her down and manage the expectations of the syndicate.

Kevin Stott victorious on Percy’s Daydream

Next it was the racecourse who wanted a soundbite, and I once again managed to omit “Stoke” from the list of places that the syndicate had travelled from. I must make a mental note for next time!

There was a presentation, pictures, and delight everywhere. It was so rewarding to see so many people getting this level of enjoyment at the races. That was without factoring in the messages. The syndicate Whatsapp group exploded, with many regretting not being there. I wondered how many tickets we would need next time.

We were invited into the winning connections lounge, where champagne was poured for everyone. I had to congratulate Leicester on their organisation. The way they looked after everyone was fantastic, and they certainly were not holding back on the champagne. We returned to one of the boxes, and sat glowing in our own triumph.

Star On Track

On the way back I got a video message from David. Surely he had not analysed the race yet? When I eventually got home I saw that it was actually of Star Of Lady M on the gallops. She was doing two light canters per day, and moving well. There was no sign of her injury, yet. Was that enough? I wondered.

Star Of Lady M with Cian Horgan

Two days after the race we called at Willow Farm on our way to the Music Showcase evening meeting at York. We took Lemon Drizzle cake for the staff who were buzzing about Percy’s Daydream, and I wondered if she had surprised them. Perhaps her work at home was not as strong as she showed on the track. Some horses are notorious for that.

Aaron thought that Star Of Lady M would struggle to get to Beverley for the Bullet. That was five weeks away, and he put her recuperation closer to seven. This was disappointing, but not the end of the world. There were still races for her from mid-September onwards. We made our way up to the gallops, where Star Of Lady M was about to do her first piece of work that day. She cantered towards us, moving easily. David appeared and said that sprinters can often come to hand quickly. He was certainly not ruling out the Beverley Bullet. There was also the Garrowby at York eight days later, but that was six furlongs.

Yes Or No?

With her recuperation on track, there was one burning question that needed to be answered. I asked David what he thought about the Abbaye. I expected him to dismiss it, or at least put obstacles in the way. She would need racing beforehand, it might come too soon, it can go very soft, and it is very draw dependent.

Discussing the Prix De L’Abbaye

The Prix De L’Abbaye De Longchamp is the race that everyone encouraged us to supplement for after her win at Ayr. The fee would have been around 26,000 Euros. This year, we could enter at the correct time for 2,275 Euros. The deadline for entry was the following week, so we had to consider whether it was worth the gamble. David reasoned that we had saved some money whilst she was out of training, and she had won plenty last year. For the sake of the entry fee it was worth taking a chance. So, that was that. There was no need for a debate. We would enter the Abbaye which would be her last chance of competing in a Group 1. Unless, of course, she won, and then she would get automatic entry into the Breeders Cup sprint, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Star Of Lady M over the moon at the thought of a trip to France

I was secretly ecstatic about this, even though I guessed that there was about a one in ten chance of actually lining up at Longchamp. We had entered a Group 2 at Royal Ascot, and ran in a Group 3 at Dundalk, but now, we were at the top table. There was nothing above us. We might not make it, but we had a chance.

Magnificent Middlethorpe (Again)

We headed to Middlethorpe Hall, where the manager, Lionel Chatard, greeted us with “welcome home”, and it really does feel like home. We had been upgraded again, but all of the rooms are of an equally high standard, and the staff are amazing. Mark was there, as was Terry, our adopted driver. We got to York racecourse around 4.30, excited to see the Committee Room that had replaced the Parade Ring restaurant for the day.

Another upgrade!

A room with a view

You can’t park there…oh, never mind Lady M

Racing With Royalty

We took the lift in the Ebor stand to the third floor, and found our restaurant. Champagne on arrival always does the trick, and the view from the balcony was outstanding. We could see the entire course, and had a birds-eye view of the stage that had been prepared for the musical entertainment later.

Louise Daly, who is always very responsive and helpful when we book the restaurant, explained about the artwork on the wall. She also told us that there is another closely guarded room that has even more historic artefacts, including the tail of the great racehorse Voltigeur. I was grateful that we were not sat looking at that whilst we dined, but I did suggest that we might want to have a look in there one day. It was not quite the Jockey Club, but York are quite rightly proud of their heritage.

On the Wednesday after the York meeting I checked the Abbaye entries. There were 51, and we were one of them. It would have been tempting fate to analyse who might and might not turn up, so I only gave the field an occasional glance every hour or so!

There was some news from the sales ring when the Tattersalls Book 1 yearling sales catalogue was published. Lot 5 was a full brother to Star Of Lady M. The significance of being in Book1 as opposed to Book 3, where Star Of Lady M was sold, is huge. Last year Havana Grey had just one yearling in Book 1, selling for 180,000 guineas. This year he has 17. I suspect this particular yearling would be out of my budget, not that I had a budget to begin with.

No News Is Good News

A week later David messaged to say that Star Of Lady M was still doing fine, and he left it up to me to find options for Percy’s Daydream. Another week or so further on he was a bit more precise with his news. Star Of Lady M would not be ready for the Beverley Bullet, and she would be touch and go for the Garrowby eight days later. He would prefer to wait for the Scottish Sprint at Ayr, a race that she won last year. This was a blow, but not exactly unexpected. I had reset my countdown so many times, and this time I decided against it.

Picnic In The Park

Percy’s Daydream was confirmed for a race at Beverley, after we decided that a potentially more valuable race at Goodwood would be the wrong choice. Before that there was the York Ebor Festival, and Sally and myself were planning on going to the Friday of that great meeting. We had been promised tickets from the yard, I guess as a consolation for not being able to run in the Nunthorpe. The day before, it was confirmed. We would use David and Char-lee’s trainer’s tickets. I wondered if that meant they would not be going, but that was not the case. They must have obtained tickets from somewhere!

On the morning of our visit to York, Hot To Trot visited the yard. Luke Lillingston wanted to see Star Of Lady M and Percy’s Daydream whilst he was there, and he was delighted with both of them. They made their way to the course where Sam Hoskins was hosting a picnic in the car park. We checked in at Middlethorpe and were once again upgraded. We got a nice surprise with some private box tickets, and we handed out gifts of biscuits, beetroot chutney and honey to our driver, Terry, and Mark the concierge.

Thank you Colonel

Gifts for Middlethorpe

More Champagne?

We then joined Sam’s picnic where champagne was flowing. In the box, champagne was not only flowing but almost compulsory. We enjoyed a delicious lunch including sticky toffee pudding, with copious amounts of red wine. Eventually I had to ask for a beer as I hit the wine wall.

Room for dessert?

We met Luke who told us what he had seen of our horses. Percy’s Daydream had grown, and she was certainly not small. He would join us for her next race at Beverley two days later. Star Of Lady M looked fit and well, and with her size and scope she would make a great broodmare. I was more interested in her racing condition, but that was a nice thing to know for the future.

Old Friends

After racing we went to the Owners & Trainers bar, where Aaron came to chat to us. He told us that work rider Tash reckoned that Star Of Lady M was ready to race now, but when David and Char-lee joined us David advised that the Ayr race was a more realistic target. Jason Kelly, who has close ties to David, was also there, and Tim and Sarah Easterby came over to say hello. It was a chilled out day, and watching the Australian star filly Asfoora win the Nunthorpe was a reminder that she was one of the rivals we would potentially face in the Abbaye.

Part of me thought that we would need to prove ourselves before a crack at a Group 1, but most of those that we spoke to had a different view. The sprint division is very open, and if we had a chance to run in a Group 1 we should grab it with both hands.

Later that day we met Susie Hartley, whose Royal Velvet had won at York the previous day. We had followed each others horses for the past couple of years.

The following morning, two giant squashes had been left outside our door, courtesy of Middlethorpe Hall. It really is a special place!

Gifts from Middlethorpe

The Daydream Rides Again

A day later Percy’s Daydream raced at Beverley. Luke met me at the entrance, and he was thrilled to meet a lot of the MMM Racing members. Our filly was around second or third favourite, but we were sure if she showed the slightest improvement she would be competitive. We had turned down a potentially more lucrative assignment at Goodwood, but we were well represented at Beverley.

David Nolan and Percy’s Daydream ready to go

David Nolan rode her for the second time, and he confirmed our plan that we would race prominently, the same tactics used at Leicester. She once again travelled well in second, but the pace was not strong. A furlong out she took the lead and looked like she might run away with it. Unfortunately, Dr Rio came past and won by two lengths. She continued to fight to the line and finished second, gaining prize money for the seventh consecutive time. The winner was a nine-year-old recording a personal best, a very unusual occurrence. However, there was nothing that we could do about that, we simply gloried in our runners-up position. David Nolan said that he thought there was a lot more to come from her, and it is increasingly likely that we will keep her in training under the MMM Racing banner for at least another year.

For now we will look at her next opportunity in three or four weeks time.

Return To The Westwood

The following day I got a call from David. It was five to 12, five minutes before entries for the Beverley Bullet closed. He suggested that we enter as Star Of Lady M had done a nice breeze that morning, and she was fit and well afterwards. She would not be match fit having been off for 309 days, but she would hopefully show good speed. She might even hang on to lift the valuable Listed prize, but she might also run out of steam on her return.

That was a chance I was happy to take, and it was such a relief to think that she would be back on the track again. Ayr would have been a prep race for the Abbaye, and now Beverley would be a prep race for Ayr. Exciting times again!

You can read the previous edition here

Daydream Believers