The turf
The turf
Seen any groundhogs your way? In racing the New Year began much as the old one had ended. At Cheltenham’s…
The turf
A joyful Saturday at Ascot recently reminded me that when the old Hurst Park Racecourse (near Hampton Court Palace) closed…
The turf
In the first such case for 20 years, former rider Freddy Tylicki, paralysed and wheelchair-bound since his mount Nellie Dean…
The turf
Ascot’s image is all champagne and fascinators, high society and high rollers. Said Art Buchwald: ‘Ascot is so exclusive that…
The turf
There are Flat people and there are jumping people. People like the late Captain Tim Forster, trainer of three Grand…
The turf
In 1986 a young Mark Johnston, having acquired a derelict yard on the Lincolnshire coast, phoned the Jockey Club to…
The turf
I know what Keats was on about with his mists and mellow fruitfulness, but autumn is less of a joy…
The turf
My best fun, through ten years reporting European politics for CNN, was bumping around the Continent with sparky young producers…
The turf
The emphasis may all be on speed horses these days, with breeders interested only in horses that struggle to get…
The turf
A Sandown Saturday proved the perfect send-off for 12 raceless days on the otherwise wonderful Isle of Mull. A Frankie…
The turf
Taking a day off racing to enjoy Joe Root’s regal 180 not out against India on the third day of…
The turf
At last proper racing is back. Through the long days of lockdown horses and jockeys have still given their all…
The turf
At least England’s defeat in the European Cup final has spared us the sight of Boris Johnson, who can scent…
The turf
When only four horses were declared to contest this year’s Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park, there were the usual…
The turf
There are many facets to Royal Ascot’s appeal. For some it is glamour, style and opulence. For some it is…
The turf
We all know it takes courage to win races over jumps, along with athleticism, stamina and speed. But you need…
The turf
Humans are herd animals too. Jockeys, trainers, owners and those enjoying the few prized media attendance slots for racing behind…
The turf
Combing through race recordings to try to find some fun horses for Spectator readers this summer, I have been struck…
The turf
Want to know the winner of the Grand National in 2023? You heard it here first: when the ante-post books…
The turf
Sporting heroes in our modern world have an extra burden to carry. Within seconds of their triumph, with the adrenaline…
The turf
How Father Sean Breen would have loved this year’s Cheltenham Festival. The late parish priest at Ballymore Eustace, who owned…
The turf
Thanks to Covid, there could be no spine-tingling roar at the Cheltenham Festival this year as the first race runners…
The turf
With the Cheltenham Festival close, the quest for serious punting money intensifies. I had one potential contributor identified at Kempton…
The turf
Since coup conspirators nearly won £10 million from the bookies, the sport has divided into two camps. Some grinned and…
The turf
Dry January it wasn’t and I am not referring to the trainers who normally undergo an annual abstinence but who…
