Today is my last day at Arrowfield Stud and in Scone.  It's not a tough day, with just tidying up of loose ends and trying to nail that final photograph, and I'll do some family photos at the end of the day too.  I slept terribly last night, and so am now wondering whether my planned very early assault tomorrow morning, involving a 4.30am start, is indeed wise, given I have the 8 hour return drive home to negotiate as well tomorrow.  I don't know what to do about that now, I want to do it, but given that I bolted awake in a panic at least 3 times last night, I'm not sure..  My neck is twinging again, and that pinched nerve is there nagging at me, saying "look, I'm nearly trapped, can you feel it??" .  The answer is yes, I absolutely can, and it is making me move cautiously and carefully. It's all over the news and on my friends' Facebook posts that this weekend is AFL Grand Final weekend.  I'm trying not to think about.  It's ironic th...

I spent the day today with Animal Kingdom today.  He likes the peppermints that I brought for him.  My shoot here has only one day remaining.  We've covered good ground.  And today I managed to slip into Scone very briefly to catch up with the friend, and to buy another bird mug.  There's a lovely little gift shop that sells the tea cups I like.  They feel nice in my hand.  And aren't too large.  And I've made a habit of buying one on each trip. Animal Kingdom at Arrowfield Stud

What a long day.  I am just in.  I've spent all day shooting and editing.  Had a lovely dinner with Vicky, Virginia and Amy...  Just finishing downloading, and putting everything on charge, and doing a little bit of overdue 'housekeeping'..... Alinghi.  Catching up with an old friend.  Her Snitzel foal is gorgeous Alinghi's new foal by Snitzel.

Well, I was told it would happen..  Such is the following of a particular thoroughbred.  Public adulation of a horse.  It's what keeps me involved in racing.  When the public at large bond with a particular racehorse, and when I am able to photograph such a horse, it makes me feel very fortunate.  I've had it with a number of Australian champions on the track. It is with true excitement and joy that I now have the very great champion Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux - Dalicia) here as one of my "New Boys" at Arrowfield Stud.  I was told that his arrival on Australian shores would create great interest from his overseas fan base, and that my photographing him would also create interest as well.  It would appear that this advice was sound! I am delighted that so many of his fans are continuing to follow the horse's progress.  I will be spending 2-3 days with "Your Boy" later this month.  The photographs I have posted are really only a sneak...

He's here.  He likes peppermints.  He's tall.  Leggy.  Athletic.  And he's my "New Boy".  He's the American and world champion racehorse, Animal Kingdom.  I was so excited to meet him.  Is there a  little bit of Phar Lap to his looks?  I like to think so....  I fed him some peppermints.  It's important for a girl to bond with her horses.  And with me, I just can't help myself....  It was great to see the stallion staff.  Joe, the stallion manager, who's really ace, joked that he's been practicing "Pinkie's Song", to get ready for my arrival! "For me, however, the horse that stirred the emotions and provided a moment in time that will be remembered for years to come isn’t even among the 15 Breeders’ Cup winners. He is Animal Kingdom, whose spectacular burst of speed to finish second in the Mile left me in awe of this horse’s ability and fortitude… Animal Kingdom was always destined for greatness". ...