Harry Derham opens up about ‘huge blow’ after tough time following galloping flood

Harry Derham spoke of her devastation after revealing her gallop was washed away by Storm Bert.

The coach’s gallop at its base in Boxford, Berkshire, became “unusable” after 74mm of rain fell in just under 40 hours late last month.

The episode explains the reduced number of recent starters for Derham, who thanked the patience of his owners and the generosity of his parents by lending him the money for a new galloping surface.

“I have been running my business for 23 months, this was a big blow to suffer at a crucial time of the season, just when the horses were in great shape,” the trainer said in a statement during his speech. account.

“I had very little choice but to take a break from my runners for a while and completely drain myself and get back to galloping. This made last month the most unimaginably stressful month and I am more grateful than I can explain for the unwavering and unanimous support of my owners.

“Training is a stressful job in itself and having this huge problem last month tested me more than anything else before.”

Derham, who have only sent three runners in the last two weeks, are now looking forward to a busy end to the calendar year, continuing with three runners at Doncaster on Sunday, and hoping to have a strong second half of the season.

He said: “I am relieved to say that we completed the emergency resurfacing project on time and, thanks to my mother and father’s selfless act of generosity in lending me funds for a new surface of gallop, we are operational again and have I have been at the new gallop for a little over a week.

“We vaccinated the vast majority of horses against flu in early December and are now in a position to move on. Hopefully we can put all of this behind us and have a successful final four months of the season.”

Read them next:

‘I wanted to go to the top’ – Daryl Jacob drops out after final race at Leopardstown on Sunday

“He’s probably as good as I’ve ever had” – New Lion has Dan Skelton purring after superb Challow Hurdle win

“He’ll take a lot of hits anywhere” – Paul Townend jubilant as Galopin Des Champs reverses form with Fact To File in style

Looking for free bets? Racing Post has the best deals, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to learn more.