Wednesday 30th April - Regional Day, Central

That man Derek Christopher has done it again! – in fact our indefatigable and irrepressible Regional Chairman has exceeded himself, even by his own exceptionally high standards. Not content to rest on his laurels after securing Bloomsbury Stud/Woburn Abbey, Royal Mews/London Eye, Kings Troop Royal Artillery, Childwickbury Stud/Royal Veterinary College, in recent years, our hero completed a winning nap hand with visits to Juddmonte Farms (Wargrave) and Windsor Castle on 30th April – on paper, a seemingly impossible feat, which attracted an overload of TBA Members and Guests, needless to say.

Juddmonte at Wargrave-on-Thames, is a magnificent Stud Farm of 894 acres, which would be the envy of, and benchmark for any aspiring breeder. It is managed by John Atkinson, who had already foaled over 65 home-bred mares this year, prior to our coming.

Our morning at Juddmonte comprised a leisurely wander around the Main yard and Foaling unit – and inspections of foals, from some of Prince Khalid Abdullah's best families by Dansili, Oasis Dream, Motivator, Shirocco, and Cacique.

On then down the M4 to Windsor, for lunch at The Harte and Garter Hotel, and a mesmerizing afternoon at Windsor Castle, where we were greeted by Sir Michael Hobbs KCVO, CBE, Governor, Knights Military of the Castle, and conducted round the Royal Mews by Terry Pendary. A rare privilege which included viewings of the horses and ponies ridden regularly by members of the Royal Family, an assortment of Royal Carriages, and the magnificent Indoor school, built originally by Queen Victoria.

The second installment of our three pronged Castle programme was a lengthy peep around the State apartments, which are more than a match for the Palace of Versailles – a notion which will have been verified in person by President Sarkozy, and his glamorous wife, Carla Bruni, who were guests of Her Majesty at Windsor Castle a month ago.

Our final treat was an invitation to attend Evensong at St George's Chapel which, for those who have not participated, is a moving and magical experience. The Chapel choir were sensational – and, for the record, having prayed for Her Majesty, the second supplication on the service sheet was for the ongoing health of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association.

Attention to detail is paramount on these occasions – a pre-requisite not lost on Sir Michael H., Derek C. and our Regional co-coordinator, Hazel West, who has been closely allied to Royal circle over the years.