Horse racing
Why did a tech genius want to buy the most successful commercial stud in Britain?
Alan Brazil was an icon on the pitch for Ipswich Town, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Scotland. Now he’s a…
‘Maybe I’m better when everyone hates me’: An interview with Oisin Murphy
‘I used to live with three jockeys in a small village called Dualla, near Cashel. They would watch the wrestling…
Could a round of golf be the answer to racing’s problems?
I don’t want you getting the impression that I fritter away my life on a golf course, but when I…
Meet Lambourn’s ‘most terrifying’ trainer
When you drive up the hill past the Ridgeway from Ashbury, the sweeping Berkshire Downs open up in front of…
Is Charles Richmond the man to shake up British racing?
Yay! It’s Glorious Goodwood next week. Which reminds me that the Richmond family were breeding and racing horses when George…
Why does the UAE value British racing more than we do?
You might remember that I mentioned His Excellency Mansoor Abulhoul, the United Arab Emirates ambassador to the UK, a couple…
My first trip to Britain’s best racecourse
The importance of Royal Ascot can never be overstated. It was beautifully summed up by His Excellency Mansoor Abulhoul, the…
The Derby is the most interesting race of the year – and I missed it
In 1949, the 18th Earl of Derby revived the tradition of the Derby Club dinner in London, three days before…
The film producer with eyes on the Derby
I broke into a skip last week as I walked up the steps of Carlton House Terrace towards the Turf…
Queen Camilla’s unusual phone app
And so to the White House for a ringside seat at the Trump circus. Another assassination attempt on the President…
My meeting with ‘The Godfather’ of flat racing
Trainer John Gosden is a colossus in Newmarket, the centre of the horse-racing industry. Two-and-a-half-thousand horses are trained here and…
Which racecourses have seen the most deaths?
Hero worship Peter Magyar, the new PM of Hungary, has the unique distinction among world leaders of bearing the name…
‘I always have a smile on my face up there’: jockey Sam Waley-Cohen on the art of winning
Last week, I had a commuter-hell day. The Great Western train to London was standing room only, horribly delayed, and the…
I love Cheltenham… but there’s only so much chaos I can take
Flipping heck! Thank goodness the Cheltenham Festival only happens once a year. There’s only so much chaos and controversy my…
The sword of Damocles is hanging over Cheltenham
What better way to limber up for the Cheltenham festival than lunch with Richard Phillips? Thirty years ago, Richard was…
The future of racing is in the Middle East
You can always judge a country by the reception you get at passport control. America is aggressive. Don’t even think…
How to cope with losing: a trainers’ guide
When the celebrations are kicking off in the winners’ enclosure, I dare say being a racehorse trainer looks glamorous. But…
Cocklebarrow gives Cheltenham a run for its money
The second-best day of the year is finally here. Obviously, nothing beats the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival –…
How to befriend Sudan’s guerilla commanders
Juba, South Sudan After the 43°C heat of the day in Juba, sundown brings a merciful reprieve. My dearest friend…
What makes a good trainer?
We’re spoilt for choice in the Cotswolds. There’s a brilliant National Hunt trainer in every valley and the villages are…
Labour is doing all it can to kill off horse racing
In July, Victoria, Lady Starmer was photographed at Royal Ascot, celebrating with friends after backing the winner of the Princess…
Can Ben Wallace defend racing from Labour?
I met Ben Wallace for the first time the other day. He was pretty well the only minister who came…
My House of Lords dinner disaster
It was just a straightforward dinner in the bosom of the House of Lords, talking to members of the Jockey…
Only the Tote can save British racing
For the past 30 years Robin Oakley has taken you through the front door of the horse-racing world and kept…
After 30 years, it’s farewell to The Turf
It was Frank Johnson who as The Spectator’s editor asked me to mix my then day job as the BBC’s…
