What a season it has been with not only an incredible 153 winners but also two winners at the Cheltenham Festival and one at Aintree. There has been a Chester Cup on the flat and races such as the Charlie Hall Chase, The Coral Ascot Hurdle, The Fighting Fifth and others too numerous to mention. Numerous potential stars have emerged and some very obvious ones such as Cinders and Ashes, Hollow Tree and Super Duty. The old boys have done brilliantly again with Cloudy Lane winning the Fox Hunters and Ballabriggs running a great race in The National. Overturn has established himself as 'The Best Dual Purpose Horse' in training but could he be the best 'Tri Purpose Horse' by the end of 2012/13?

This season's incredible results have been made possible by the 'Great Team' we have here at Bankhouse. Thanks to all the boys and girls in the yard who have worked hard through the long winter and have stuck together, worked as a team and nursed and cared for their horses all year. It couldn't have been done without you. A special mention must be made of 'Sinbad's bottom' which we are thinking of insuring as it has been responsible for Cinders and Ashes, Son of Flicka and Cloudy Lane!

Not only have both Donald and Jason finished third in their respective tables but Henry was awarded Champion Conditional Jockey.

Obviously there have been very low times with the loss of Dad, we can only hope that he is looking down on us all and that we can continue to make him proud.

There are exciting times ahead and Donald has been planning the new campaign for several weeks now.

Lastly may we thak you all for your kindness and support through the ups and downs of the past season and heres looking towards the new one and hopefully we can continue on that upward curve.

Thank you all.

The last day of the 2011/12 NH season, its the end of April and it's pouring with rain. That cannot however dampen the spirits of the McCain yard, who on the final day of the season have an across the card treble taking the tally to a great 153. Lexi's Boy won down at Sandown, ridden by Jason and making it three on the bounce and his fourth win since the New Year.

Up North at Market Rasen John Kington and Henry Brooke rode a double for Deva Racing. Henry won on Ourlittlebylittle and John on Boruler. Congratulations to winning owner's Deva Racing and Tim Leslie.

A wonderful day at Aintree today first off with the unveiling of Dad's bust (that sounds wrong!) but it would make him giggle. We are all delighted with the finished article and hope Dad will be watching Donald from his bank for many years to come.

Secondly cam the wonderful Cloudy Lane who won the Aintree Foxhunters under Richard Harding in fantastic style. Cloudy giving a masterclass on 'how to jump Aintree' on the way round. Very many congratulations to Trevor Hemmings who not only owns Cloudy but also bred him, making the win even more special.

After a quiet couple of days The Cheltenham Festival started in the best way possible with Cinders and Ashes winning The Supreme Novices' Hurdle in great style, ridden by Jason Maguire. This had been the long term plan for a while - proof of which came in the form of 200 Cinders and Ashes scarves provided by his delighted owner's Dermot Hanafin and Phil Cunningham prior to the race! Cinders will be aimed for The Champion Hurdle next year.

Not only did Our Mick run a blinder to finish third in The JLT Speciality Handicap Chase but Overturn gave his all yet again.

February finished on a great note with a treble at Bangor today. The first two winners were Storming Gale and Fabalu, both horses owned by Tim Leslie and both horses coming back into form. The third winner was Golden Call who won really nicely for his owner Mike Allen.

Some of the Cheltenham horses worked after racing. All of whom Donald was pleased with and many thanks to Bangor on Dee for allowing us to give them racecourse gallops, it is much appreciated. Hopefully we can continue into the exciting month of March with the fire power we have finished February with.

A great start to the 2012 with Koup de Kanon winning at Catterick ridden by Jason. Congratulations to the Timeform Betfair Racing Club and M Taylor who own him.

We would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and to thank you for all the support we have received through 2011. It has been a year of incredible highs but sadly devastating lows and the support we have had has helped immensly.

Heres to continued success in 2012, health and happiness to you all!

Tuesday was a funny day of highs and lows. Obviously we were very disappointed to see Peddlers Cross beaten at Kempton. Most importantly he has come home fine and in one piece. Although in hindsight we think we have beaten by a very good horse, we still don't think that was the 'true' Peddlers' yesterday. Hopefully we will get to the bottom of it.

On a far brighter note Hollow Tree won his first Grade 1 at Chepstow putting himself firmly into the Triumph Hurdle picture, particularly if the ground is soft. Timmy Murphy said that he was the bravest three year old he has ridden and would be even better next year. Whilst Hollow Tree was bringing home the spoils at Chepstow, Empress Orchid did the business up north at Wetherby ridden by Henry Brooke.

Many congratulations to yesterday's victorious owners, Messrs Brannon, Dennis, Dick and Holden and Bill Bromley and Mrs King, we hope you enjoyed your Christmas winners!

A great days racing at Sedgefield saw us reach the milestone of 80 winners before the Christmas break. Today's winner was The Weatherman who won very nicely under Jason and congratulations go to his owner's the Clywdian Connections. With a couple of very close seconds courtesy of Charminster and Realignment, we are all looking forward to racing resuming on Boxing day.

Tonight is the Staff Christmas Party and no doubt there will be some sore heads in the morning, however, every member of staff is an integral part of the team here at Bankhouse and contribute to the continued success of the yard. It is fair to say they all deserve to have a good night and enjoy themselves regardless of how much it might hurt in the morning!

A fine Saturday with an accross the card double from Haydock and Newcastle. Bunclody won first time out this season and first time over fences ridden by Jason Maguire. Congratulations to his owners Alan Stennett and Brian Williams, who should be looking forward to more success with him.

The second part of the double came in the last at Newcastle courtesy of Call Back who was ridden by Henry Brooke. Well done to his owner Dermot Hanafin. Henry rode a double on the day and heads the conditional jockey's table and Callum Whillans who is also attached to the yard got his name on the score sheet too. As a result half the winners today at Newcastle were ridden by 'McCain jockeys'!

Another great Saturday was had by all at Aintree today with a winner and two seconds. The winner being Cinders and Ashes, ridden by Jason Maguire, who beat his old rival Keys in emphatic fashion. The victory was particularly sweet as he had been unlucky not to have won at Ascot on his first run over hurdles when he slipped badly yet still got up to be a close second. After those two runs it looks like all roads will lead to Cheltenham in the spring. Mentions must also be given to both Reindeer Dipping and Red Rocco who went down all guns blazing and finishing second. Perfect examples of 'tough, game McCain horses'.

The day got even better when Tiger Maguire ridden by Adrian Lane won his bumper at Chepstow giving us an across the card double. Many congratulations to winning owners, The Merseyclyde Partnership, Dermot Hanafin and Phil Cunningham.

Today we not only had an across the card double but we also hit and passed the 40 winner mark for the season, with a tally after today of 41.

The first part of the double came courtesy of Painted Sky at Uttoxeter, who was winning his third race of the campaign ridden by Adrian Lane and owned by Rob Drye.

The forty first win came from The Weatherman who won the bumper at Kelso under Henry Brooke. Congratulations to all.

'Doubles All Round!' Jim Tango and Rhyton won today, both ridden by John Kington and both owned by Ginger. It was John's first double and hopefully the first of many. Well done to both John and Ginger.

Overturn won the inaugral running of The Perth Summer Champion Hurdle at Perth today, ridden by Jason. He is very much becoming a celebrity with the Press suggesting that he is the most recognisable horse in training and also 'what horse racing is all about!' There is no doubt he has earned every accolade bestowed upon him and is a complete and utter star.

Many congratulations to Tim Leslie.

* * * * * * * 2011 - 2012 * * * * * * *

ONE HUNDRED WINNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The century was reached today - what a season!  Thanks to a great team , great teamwork, great owners and  some super horses. Well done everybody.

Todays 'superhorse' was Ballabrook, ridden by Jason and owned by a great friend Ray Pattison - who owned horses with Donald Senior, many years ago, when Donald Junior was knee high to the proverbial grasshopper! 

'WE WON THE NATIONAL !' The day didn't start too well with our gallant Peddlers Cross getting beat.  Sadly he 'ran flat' and although he had been in good form at home it was obvious once he got racing again that Cheltenham had taken it's toll.  Peddlers is now going to have a good summer holiday and will hopefully come back fighting.

Although very down hearted after Peddler's race, we all had great hopes for Ballabriggs in the National.  However, being the National, they were purely hopes!  Ballabriggs looked stunning in the parade ring and even more stunning during the race.  Never further back than about fifth and after leading for virtually all the second circuit, he came home in front and put far more than just a smile on everybodies faces.

Although tired after his exertions after plenty of water, he was soon acting the fool in 'the dope box' and playing/rolling in the shavings whilst everyone waited for him to produce the necessary goods!

Thank you for all the support and congratulations over the past couple of days, it has been absolutely magic and we are all very proud of our special horse 'Brigsy' and of course his special jockey Jason.

Our congratulations and thanks go to Mr Hemmings for entrusting us with such a fantastic horse.

The day got even better when Super Duty won first time out in a 'bumper' at Bangor ridden by John Kington.  This brought the season's total to 96 and that century is definitely in sight!

Whilst Peddler's Cross was beaten for the first time by Hurricane Fly (after a gallant battle) in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, Finlay was gaining his first win at Sedgefield under Adrian Lane.  More importantly Finlay brought the season's total to 88 which was last year's total, with over a month to go can we get the century?

Congratulations of course go out to Messrs Lockwood, Edwards and Koumas and of course Adrian.

Another good day today even without any winners.  Firstly Jason's ban was reduced enabling him to partner Peddler's Cross in the Champion Hurdle and very rightly so.

Secondly we heard that Jon and Louise Glews are now the parents of identical twin boys Harry and James. Jon is a big supporter of the yard, his company Proactive Personnel is the yard sponsor and more importantly both him and Louise are good friends.  Congratulations to you both, big well done to Lou who (as usual) did all the hard work and we look forward to welcoming Harry and James up the gallops on a Saturday morning!

I think it fair to say that there were a lot of sombre faces around the yard this morning after Jason's ban yesterday and a general air of utter disbelief. It goes without saying that the whole McCain team are behind Jason and are hoping that he will be in the right place on the first day of the festival and that is on board Peddler's.

It must also be mentioned that Cool Mission is unmarked, ate all his tea last night and spent the day bouncing around his paddock, oblivious to all the fuss - in fact there were no marks when he got off the wagon last night!

Desert Cry and his delighted connections the 'NYPD Partnership' having their first winner and hopefully the first of many!

David Moyes and Desert Cry

Desert Cry winning somewhat impressively at Sedgefield

A loveley win from one of the yard's characters today - Reindeer Dippin, ridden by Brian Harding up at Ayr. The Reindeer - you might have noticed, still has a furry head as he objects to the clippers and also some mornings frustratingly having his bridle put on!  However, it doesn't stop him and we all love him. A big well done goes to his owners 'The Sandgrounders'.

Ballabriggs continued his Aintree preparation with a good win at Ayr today over hurdles under Jason. The entries for the Grand National go in tomorrow. Our congratulations go out to Trevor Hemmings after todays victory.

January has been a frustrating month due to the weather but fortunately the winners have kept coming - hopefully they will keep on coming right up to - let me think - the middle of April perhaps!

An across the card double today courtesy of Charminster at Sedgefield ridden by Graham Lee and Tornado Bob at Leicester ridden by Jason Maguire.  Congratulations to Tim Leslie and Mrs Diana Whateley.

Charminster winning at Sedgefield under Graham Lee.

Chamirey won at Towcester today ridden by Timmy Murphy.  Many congratulations to Sir Robert Ogden. 

A special well done goes to 'Mummy McCain' who survived a grilling by Matt Chapman!

After a frustrating enforced break from racing due to the 'Arctic' weather we came back with a bang at Southwell today bringing the season's total so far to 50, as a result of a nice double.  The first leg came from Cinders and Ashes who made it two out of two by winning his second bumper ridden by Jason Maguire.  Congratulations to owners 'The Racing Squirrels', although it was noted there was not a 'squirrel' in site!  The second leg came from Diocles having his first run, again ridden by Jason and congratulations go to LGM Racing and breeder Eric Watson.

Homebred Code Blue ridden by Jason Maguire won today at Hexham on only his second ever start and quite possibly only his second ever trip out from Cholmondeley!

A great day for the yard today not just because we had a double at Haydock Park but because they were both ridden by Jason Maguire having his first day back after injury.  The first of which was Al Qeddaaf and the second was Lively Baron owned by Tim Leslie and Trevor Hemmings respectively.

Al Qeddaaf winning at haydock Park	Lively Baron making it a double

Morning Sunshine continued the good run with a third winner in as many days at Bangor on Dee today.  Ridden by Adrian Lane and owned by Jon Glews and Peter Knight.

(Photo courtesy of Ruth Muckle)

October began in the best possible way at Hexham today with Al Qeddaaf winning, ridden by A P McCoy and carrying the colours of Tim Leslie.