I’m not alone in having felt the last few days have passed through in a bit of a whirl. We had 31 thoroughbred races over the four days of Doncaster and then a clutch of Pattern races over the weekend … Read More »

The ‘number crunchers’ will have their say at some point, but without having access to all the figures my impression is that this year’s crop of middle-distance three-year-olds is distinctly ordinary. Dual-Derby winner Lambourn finished fifth of seven in the … Read More »

I’m not sure how much money it would have taken to move a horse’s odds from 16/1 the night before to a starting price of 11/8, especially at a late-August Sunday afternoon meeting at Brighton, but an otherwise low profile … Read More »

Anyways looking back I think about the mare before anything else. Don’t get me wrong. I think about the Grinder and his sumbitch missus and the Crawfords, especially Miss Jenny, as well. But the mare was something special. When a … Read More »

I can’t recall a major Flat meeting when as many of the competitive handicaps were won by horses at the head of the market as at York last week. The opening 20-runner sprint handicap on the first day was won … Read More »

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about the potential benefits of finding what I referred to as a ‘golden thread’ of form. This was in relation to the 1m 1f novice stakes run at a Carlisle evening meeting at … Read More »

The result of the Sussex Stakes, won by 150/1 chance Qirat, encapsulated the season so far. I have often talked and written about the ‘rhythm’ of a season, with a top horse or yard heading the field, but it would … Read More »

I tip Jimmy Deans a filly I like at Deauville, knowing full well that an appreciation of Un Homme et une Femme will follow; let’s just say he knows his films and leave it at that. It’s good to see … Read More »

One of the most profitable sources of winners is to identify what I call a ‘golden thread’ of form before it becomes generally recognised. Going back many years, I remember Green Desert being beaten by Sure Blade on his debut … Read More »

I was saddened to read that Alan Bailey died last week at the age of 86. Although I hadn’t seen Alan for a few years, we became friends when he trained a filly for our racing club named Timelee. She … Read More »

I tend not to speak to trainers these days unless I happen to see them at the races. I occasionally email them but I fundamentally believe it is not my business to ask them about their horses. That was certainly … Read More »

A recent race at Newmarket was sponsored by the brewers Adnams, the full title being Adnams Pink Gin Gallop Handicap. I’ve kept up with the wine and spirits trade after spending several years in the industry but I hadn’t noticed … Read More »

Ian Carnaby