RACING PRIZEMONEY SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED
Quote: 'In normal circumstances, racecourses provide approximately half of prize-money, but with betting shops, which drive media rights income, closed and no crowds, their contributions will be significantly impacted' - The Resumption of Racing group
By Andrew Atkinson
Owners and...
EBDON OVERWHELMED
Peter Ebdon, former world snooker champion, racehorse breeder and owner has announced his retirement, due to spinal issues. ANDREW ATKINSON reports on Ebdon's career, a racehorse owner, to pedigree consultant, at Batsford Stud in Gloucestershire.
PETER Ebdon, who I did...
Ice cool Phil Stargazing for season ahead
By Andrew Atkinson
Trainer Philip Kirby has an exciting small team of runners when racing resumes, and a second group being prepared for later in the summer/early Autumn.
"We have a strong hand in the staying division, not including our Autumn/early...
Calls to come out of lockdown are too soon – to do safely
Quote: 'The reason scientists didn't want us to move earlier is because once you go into lockdown, the resilience and people's willingness to stay in lockdown and the economic consequences, mean there is only a certain amount of...
If I knew you were coming I’d have baked a Cake
If I knew you were coming I'd have baked a Cake - the Alex Higgins story
FORMER apprentice jockey Alex Higgins, two-times world snooker champion, died a decade ago on July 24, 2010.
Journalist and author friend Andrew Atkinson is writing...
Racing’s Cornelius Lysaght retires
By Andrew Atkinson
Racing's flag bearer correspondent Cornelius Lysaght is retiring this week after almost 30 years in the 'saddle'.
“Since I started in August 1990, the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot have been staged 29 times each. 28 Grand Nationals...
Philip’s a ‘Good Egg’!
By Andrew Atkinson
Trainer Philip Kirby was a 'cut' above the rest - when he took up the 'Raw Egg Challenge' - at Green Oaks Farm stables in Richmond, North Yorkshire.
"I don't really like cooked eggs! - so I don't...
Galway summer festival cancelled due to coronavirus
By Andrew Atkinson
Michael Moloney, General manager of Galway races has released a statement on behalf of Galway Race Committee, in relation to the Galway races 2020 summer Festival that has been cancelled, scheduled for July 27-August 2.
"In the light...
Tarrant six-month ban for head-butting fellow jockey
By Andrew Atkinson
Jockey Luke Tarrant has been banned from racing for six months - after head-butting colleague Larry Cassidy during an altercation at Doomben, Australia on April 22.
Tarrant pleaded guilty to a charge after he was involved in a...
Stradivarius – A horse for the big occasion
Frankie Dettori's 2019 Gold Cup win
With Royal Ascot awaiting to see if the 2020 meeting can go ahead behind closed doors, in the wake of the coronavirus lockdown, ANDREW ATKINSON looks back at Frankie Dettori's 2019 Gold Cup...
Little Bruce – Nice to see you, to see you nice!
By Andrew Atkinson
Little Bruce, trained by Philip Kirby at Green Oaks Farm stables in Richmond, North Yorkshire, has been pencilled in to a return to racing in November.
"Little Bruce is back at home with one of his owners Sue...
Brian Hughes announced as National Hunt Champion jockey
Nicky Henderson trainers' champion. Jonjo O'Neill jnr top Conditional jockey. JP McManus top racehorse owner
By Andrew Atkinson
Brian Hughes has been announced as National Hunt racing champion jockey, with Nicky Henderson named trainers' champion and JP McManus top racehorse...
Equestrian support for NHS
Eventing World Champions Ros Canter, Zara Tindall. Olympic Gold Medallists Carl Hester and Scott Brash backing Equestrian Relief to support NHS.
SIR Anthony McCoy, Frankie Dettori among jockeys offering support
Andrew Atkinson reports.
Eventing World Champions Ros Canter and Zara...
VENICE ‘PAPPY’ RICHARDS/Alex Higgins
The passing of Venice 'Pappy' Richards, Southern Caribbean jockey, mirrors former apprentice jockey Alex Higgins' death
By Andrew Atkinson
Barbados born Venice 'Pappy' Richards, dubbed the greatest jockey in Southern Caribbean thoroughbred racing history, has passed away in Trinidad and...
FOCUS on Assistant trainer: Simon Olley
Simon Olley is the lynchpin of Green Oaks. The hardest working assistant trainer in the business - Philip Kirby
By Andrew Atkinson
Assistant trainer Simon Olley is a grafter and key cog in the success of trainer Philip Kirby racing...
MONUMENTAL EFFORT NEEDED
Quote: 'We ask for God’s blessing upon all those who are involved in horse racing' - Cartmel Priory Rev. Nick Devenish
Quote: 'If we all pull together, do the right thing, we will all get through this' -...
FRANKIE DETTORI DEVASTATED BY CORONAVIRUS DEATHS IN ITALY
Quote: 'My mother has had pneumonia in the past. She has to be really careful. If she takes to this virus, she may not make it through. I'm concerned about her' - Frankie Dettori
By Andrew Atkinson
Italian superstar, Milan...
Focus on Trainer Nick Alexander
STAY SAFE, HEALTHY - AND SAY A PRAYER FOR THE WORLD. GOD BLESS
Quote: 'A massive and heartfelt thank you goes out to our fantastic team of owners and staff, both of whose loyalty and commitment have brought...
ROCK ON TOMMY!
Jockey, Marquand wins Group 3 Schweppervescence in Aussie
By Andrew Atkinson
Jockey Tom Marquand won the Group 3 Schweppervescence on the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained colt Holyfield on Saturday (March 28) in Australia, beating Untamed by 3/4 of a...
Coronavirus halts BHA whip offences investigation
By Andrew Atkinson
The British Horseracing Authority has put on hold an investigation into whip offences by jockeys in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic.
"A new timetable will be agreed at an appropriate point in the future.
"The consultation would...
Coronavirus: Ireland race meetings follow suit in coronavirus lockdown
Quote: 'Most important is health and safety' - trainer Aiden O'Brien
By Andrew Atkinson Chief sports editor
RACING in Ireland has followed suit of England and France on cancelling race meetings, due to the COVID-19 epidemic.
The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced...
Hughes to be named champion NH jockey
Presentation ceremonies on hold
By Andrew Atkinson
The National Hunt Champion jockey title will be presented to Brian Hughes - with any presentation ceremony on hold due to racing's coronovirus closedown.
Hughes has reportedly been told that he will be crowned...
Cheltenham Festival – lucky to go ahead in wake of coronavirus
By Andrew Atkinson
Cheltenham Festival 2020 can look back on being lucky to escape cancellation - or taking place without the 251,000 spectators who attended the four days meeting last week - after the coronavirus outbreak.
Four days after the final...
SO SORRY CHELTENHAM APOLOGY
'I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart' - jockey Jamie Moore
Andrew Atkinson
Cheltenham Festival proved to be one to forget for jockey Jamie Moore - left distraught - when being unseated by runaway leader Goshen at the final hurdle...
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL Review
By Andrew Atkinson
The 2020 Cheltenham Festival bore fruit for punters - with eight winners - and a plethora of each-way selections at the showcase National Hunt meeting.
Day 4 of the festival's seven race card, each-way tips Buildmeupbuttercup (16-1), Thyme...
