Horse racing
An unstable world
Adapted from interviews with a trainer from Iowa, Scanlan’s novel is a disturbing portrait of violence and squalor behind the scenes at racing stables
The turf
Usually in May I am still casting an enviously nostalgic eye backwards to Aintree and Cheltenham, reluctant yet to pack…
State of the union
Dear oh dear, as exasperated kings are known to murmur – just look at the state of rugby union. But…
The turf
For a Radio Four programme she was hosting Clare Balding once had the idea that it would be fun to…
The turf
The swallows who nest yearly in my garage have agreed that ‘that’s enough baby-making for this year’, and started their…
The turf
It takes a little bit of magic to train any racehorse. It takes plenty of magic to keep a 13-year-old…
The turf
Irish trainer John F. O’Neill owes the stalls handlers at Goodwood a good drink or two. In Ireland this season…
The turf
President George W. Bush used to quote his fellow Texan Robert Strauss who famously declared: ‘You can fool some of…
The turf
Heading for a holiday in Sardinia, I remembered that the last time we were there our engine-less, drifting boat was…
The turf
In a disintegrating country, stuck for the moment with a Prime Minister who can’t see the difference between a proliferation…
The turf
In the absence on her Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty, such an avid Derby attender in the past, and following…
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
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…
The turf
Even when the authorities were refusing Milton Harris the right to renew his training licence after he got his finances…
The turf
Certain sections of the media love to run a knocking story and when champion trainer Paul Nicholls’s horses failed to…
The turf
There is nothing like visiting a stud early in the foaling season. As amiable mums-to-be saunter up to the paddock…
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
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
At last proper racing is back. Through the long days of lockdown horses and jockeys have still given their all…
