Obituary: JOHNNY BRADBURNE
Quote: 'It is hard to believe that he and Susan have now both gone, they were very much part of my life since my earliest days. Great friends of my parents, who bridged the gap in a unique...
Concerns for Irish racing as June 29 date for return confirmed
By Andrew Atkinson
County Cork born trainer Denis Coakley believes that horses in Ireland may be moved to the UK or France - in the wake of racing continuing to be in lockdown due to COVID-19.
Irish trainers John Oxx and...
NHS workers and carers are in my thoughts
The bereavements and the sacrifice by NHS workers and carers, and all those supporting, are in my thoughts and prayers all the time - trainer Nick Alexander
By Andrew Atkinson
Trainer Nick Alexander, 57, based at Kinneston, Fife, has looked...
Suedois is an incredible horse who will be missed – trainer David O’Meara
Quote: 'Suedois finished second on his yard debut, and finished his career with a record of 50 runs, 10 wins and top three finishes, in an incredible 33 starts'.
By Andrew Atkinson
Suedois, trained by David O'Meara at Willow Farm,...
Racing await government nod to return in May – BHA chief Nick Rust
By Andrew Atkinson
Racing could be set to return in May as some trainers pressed their cause - on the back of racing continuing behind closed doors in Australia and Hong Kong.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) chief Nick Rust has...
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...
Racing awaits May 7 government announcement
By Andrew Atkinson
The racing world is holding its breath - awaiting to see what will arise from the UK Government legislation on the coronavirus COVID-19 lockdown - as over 19,500 deaths were reached on April 24.
The British Horseracing Authority...
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...
HOPES OF MAY RETURN THWARTED
Racing's lockdown indefinite due to COVID-19
Quote: 'The government knows we are not just a sport. It knows we are an industry with 14,000 horses. Staff can't look after horses if they're furloughed'
By Andrew Atkinson
Racing's lockdown faces an...
Cheltenham Festival: A lot of lives had been lost
Quote: 'When do we go back, is it too soon, or is it not too soon, if we lose more lives at the end of it all. I don't know. Hindsight is a great thing I think no...
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...
Royal Ascot awaits Government green light for behind closed doors go-ahead
By Andrew Atkinson
With racing in parts of Australia continuing behind closed doors, Ascot awaits to see if the UK Government bodies will give the 2020 Royal Ascot meeting a 'behind closed doors' green light go-ahead amid COVID-19 lockdown.
Royal Ascot's...
Marquand-Addeybb win G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Australia
Quote: 'To win the Queen Elizabeth on an English horse at a time that's been tough for English racing, couldn't mean more' - jockey Tom Marquand
By Andrew Atkinson
Tom Marquand won the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick,...
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...
Royal Ascot to take place behind closed doors?
Meeting cancelled - due to coronavirus
Quote: 'It may prove possible to run the Royal Ascot races behind closed doors'.
By Andrew Atkinson Breaking news
Royal Ascot 2020 could still take place - behind closed doors - after it was...
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...
