Thursday, March 28, 2024
BHA's chair Annamarie Phelps and chief executive Nick Rust met sports minister Nigel Huddleston to discuss plans for resumption

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...
Peter Ebdon, former world snooker champion, racehorse breeder and owner

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...
Lucky 63 £7,303; Heinz £7,282; in Newcastle 40-1 treble and Newmarket 33-1 treble winning tips. 1,368-1 six-horse accumulator!Grand National

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 flag bearer correspondent Cornelius Lysaght

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'!

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

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...
Jockey Luke Tarrant: six months ban for head-butting.

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...
Frankie Dettori geared up for Royal Ascot 

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

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...
James Moffatt (left) with Cartmel Priory Reverend Nick Devenish at the blessing of the racehorse service.

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: Plethora of fancied rides at Sandown.

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...
Jockey Tom Marquand selfie down under. Photo: Twitter.

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

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...
Aidan O'Brien

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...
Brian Hughes: to be named champion jockey. Photo: Twitter.

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

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...
Teahupoo heads for Cheltenham Unibet Champion 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...
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