THIS time of year sees the usual merry-go-round of jump jockeys swapping stables and starting new retainers. But I was surprised when it was announced that Bryan Cooper would ride Alan Potts’ horses trained in the UK. Robbie Power, who was magnificent last season as Potts’ number one, will ride the owner’s horses in Ireland. …[Read More]
10
Oct 2017
Morning Digest: Bravo for Finian’s Oscar
THIS weekend’s Chepstow meeting has gained traction in recent years as the real starting point for the proper National Hunt season. Cheltenham’s Showcase fixture or the Charlie Hall at Wetherby have traditionally signalled the changing of the guard. But the presence of Finian’s Oscar this weekend offers more lustre to Chepstow’s curtain raiser. He could …[Read More]
09
Oct 2017
Morning Digest: Manchego is the big cheese
THE very nature of horse racing means that it occasionally leaves you feeling like you’ve been punched in the stomach. Such a moment occurred yesterday at Limerick when the highly talented Mega Fortune suffered a fatal fall when well clear. Words don’t really cut the mustard on occasions like these apart from condolences must go …[Read More]
07
Oct 2017
Morning Digest: Crownthorpe can reign at Redcar
AUSSIE wonder mare Winx won her 21st race on the bounce early this morning in the Group One Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Read about how she did it here. Today Aidan O’Brien bids for his 23rd Group One victory this calendar year in the Sun Chariot Stakes where Roly Poly has strong claims. The Gosden-Dettori …[Read More]
06
Oct 2017
Morning Digest: Gloam is where the heart is
JOHN Gosden, acting for Godolphin, outbid Coolmore’s John Magnier to pay 4,000,000 guineas for a yearling at Tattersalls yesterday. The mighty tussle between the two breeding and bloodstock empires was described as a wonderful piece of theatre. The filly, by Galileo out of Breeders’ Cup winner Dank, has been named Gloam. No trainer has been …[Read More]
05
Oct 2017
Morning Digest: Sceau this is jump racing…
GREAT news that the brilliant Harry Angel stays in traning next season. It’s been a stellar year for sprinters with Battaash, Marsha, Lady Aurelia and Caravaggio having their moments in the sun but Harry Angel, to my eyes at least, looks the best of them all. He goes for the British Champions Sprint on Champions …[Read More]
04
Oct 2017
Morning Digest: Bridget didn’t stick to the plan
SPARE a thought for Bridget Andrews. She was well clear on Stick to the Plan at Southwell yesterday when, in her own words, she “fell off” just before the winning post. It was a bizarre incident that sparked the usual vitriolic pocket talk and bile-ridden response on social media. She is a good rider with …[Read More]
03
Oct 2017
Morning Digest: Tatts entertainment
THE Tattersalls sales kick off at Newmarket today with 502 bluebloods going under the hammer. The main focus will be Godolphin’s buying strategy and whether they continue their new trend of buying progeny of Coolmore stallions. For the record, Galileo has 19 offspring for sale this week. Watch this space. On the track Death Duty …[Read More]
02
Oct 2017
Morning Digest: Back to reality
THE racing community is still purring over the record-breaking performance of Enable in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. She became the first British or Irish trained three-year-old filly to win Europe’s most prestigious race, succeeding where the likes of Diminuendo, Salsabil, User Friendly, Ouija Board and Taghrooda all failed. But it was the ruthless …[Read More]
26
Sep 2017
Al Wukair could spring surprise on British Champions Day
by JOHN ANDERSON THE Flat season is coming to an end but not before British Champions Day at Ascot, where the leading horses in each division will compete against each other one last time before they are put away for the winter and given a break. Here are three horses who could finish their campaign …[Read More]
