The turf
The turf
Seeing Fully Wet win the European Breeders Fund Maiden Stakes at Goodwood on Saturday was a genuine source of pleasure,…
The turf
‘Some of our players can hardly write their names,’ moaned one leading football manager. ‘But you should see them add…
The turf
The Irish aren’t just good at winning horse races: they are in the Super League when it comes to celebrating…
The turf
How wonderful after three years to have the crowds back to enjoy the glorious concoction of skill, bravery, razzmatazz and…
The turf
For Barbara and Alick Richmond, Living Legend’s game 12-1 victory in Kempton’s 1m 2f Magnolia Stakes last Saturday was their…
The turf
You don’t always have to win to enjoy it. At the end of the £100,000 Paddy Power Imperial Cup at…
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Even when the authorities were refusing Milton Harris the right to renew his training licence after he got his finances…
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Certain sections of the media love to run a knocking story and when champion trainer Paul Nicholls’s horses failed to…
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The engine wasn’t what it was, they said. At ten years old the spark that had once made him a…
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There is nothing like visiting a stud early in the foaling season. As amiable mums-to-be saunter up to the paddock…
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Seen any groundhogs your way? In racing the New Year began much as the old one had ended. At Cheltenham’s…
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A joyful Saturday at Ascot recently reminded me that when the old Hurst Park Racecourse (near Hampton Court Palace) closed…
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In the first such case for 20 years, former rider Freddy Tylicki, paralysed and wheelchair-bound since his mount Nellie Dean…
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Ascot’s image is all champagne and fascinators, high society and high rollers. Said Art Buchwald: ‘Ascot is so exclusive that…
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There are Flat people and there are jumping people. People like the late Captain Tim Forster, trainer of three Grand…
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In 1986 a young Mark Johnston, having acquired a derelict yard on the Lincolnshire coast, phoned the Jockey Club to…
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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…
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The emphasis may all be on speed horses these days, with breeders interested only in horses that struggle to get…
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A Sandown Saturday proved the perfect send-off for 12 raceless days on the otherwise wonderful Isle of Mull. A Frankie…
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Taking a day off racing to enjoy Joe Root’s regal 180 not out against India on the third day of…
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At last proper racing is back. Through the long days of lockdown horses and jockeys have still given their all…
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At least England’s defeat in the European Cup final has spared us the sight of Boris Johnson, who can scent…
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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…
