Someone once said, towards the end of their life, that their biggest regret was over the things they hadn’t done rather than those they had. Never has this seemed more apt than as I write. A very good friend of … Read More »

Judging by the prices at the recent Tattersalls Yearling Sales, the days when you could pick up a bargain are now long gone. Many years ago I bought a yearling there by the then little-known sire Orchestra for just £1,000. … Read More »

Anyone who doubts the wondrous way nature works should sit back and ponder the seasons. Not just their variety and changeability, but their timing. For example I now find myself ready for autumn, just as in a couple of months … Read More »

I cannot remember a more uncertain look to the Classic scene as we are facing this spring, with the markets dominated by horses that have protected their credentials by staying at home. For example, Gleneagles is now as short as … Read More »

I am always on the watch for a ‘touch’ even though, these days, it is much harder to engineer them than in past days. The stewards are quick to ask the trainer for an explanation if a horse shows a … Read More »

The bookmakers seem to be showing little signs of discernment in their response to the performances of this season’s leading Champion Hurdle contenders. The New One was cut from around 8/1 to 7/2 after beating Rock On Ruby by 10 … Read More »

I have to say that of all the seasons, autumn is probably my favourite. The winters can be long, hard and miserable – I know that all too well, living in the Lake District – but the racing programme in … Read More »

It was good to be racing again at Newmarket after missing the Craven meeting last month. Unfortunately the heavens opened just as the horses were entering the paddock for the 2,000 Guineas, but Sunday was glorious for the most part … Read More »

When trainers of the calibre of Jonjo O’Neill, Willie Mullins, Nigel Twiston-Davies and the vastly experienced Oliver Sherwood say that they have “one of the most promising horses they have ever trained” then it’s time to sit up and take … Read More »

For those of us unable to enjoy the delights of a short break in the West Indies there would, at first sight, appear to be little to sustain our interest from the UK racing programme in the early weeks of … Read More »

The British Horseracing Authority recently published their ‘Fact Book’, which they believe provides ‘an invaluable and informative guide to some of the key numbers behind our great sport.’ The publication reveals that in the period up to the spring of … Read More »

As I write this, on a Friday in mid-October, Carlisle is hosting their first jumps meeting of the season. As you may be aware I am based in the South Lakes, so Carlisle is just an hour up the road … Read More »