I touched on this yesterday. Before the Yorkshire Oaks Ryan Moore came outside the racecourse to watch LOVE walking around. As Love walks past she turns her head to look at him. So lovely on all counts. Ryan gets so much bad press but he is quiet, unassuming and a real horseman.
I think Politologue enjoyed himself today. What a fantastic round of jumping to win the QMCC. I've seen him fly the water before at Cheltenham, so I'm glad I choose to go there. Pegasus like over it. Congratulations to Mr Hales,
@PFNicholls
,
@harryskelton89
and all involved.
So many emotions in this photo. Pride, relief, friendship, love. It was a big day for these two at
@Ascot
today. I’m so pleased it went well for them.
Shishkin and Jaydon after winning the Ascot Chase.
"One man practising sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it."
After recent weighing room divisions, well done to Bryan Cooper. This was soon after the Cheltenham Gold Cup today.
ALPINISTA and Luke win the Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe. An incredibly honest and genuine mare who just always gives her absolute all. Delighted for every one at Heath House Stables.
After unseating early in the Arkle and then leading the field riderless, I was sure that SAINT SAM would take the easy option and run round the water jump, as he had no one to follow......but oh no, he had other ideas.
Goshen heads back to the racecourse stables. Heartbreaking for all involved.
I just had a brief chat with his lad shortly before this and he said,
“The horse is fine, and that’s all that matters.”
How admirable is that.
My heart went out to Robin at
@Sandownpark
on Saturday when he lost his horse JOSSES HILL in the Oaksey Chase, and then had to carry on with his job and lead up Altior in the Celebration Chase. The poor lad was heartbroken. His bravery and professionalism didn't go unnoticed.
I think my best photo of 2020 was this one of Politologue jumping the water on the way to winning the CC. So satisfying for me. I really need to blog to tell you more about this photo then you would understand. I am giving away 2 copies. RT to enter. Winners announced Boxing Day.
"I wouldn't recommend you buying the rabbit if you already have two Jack Russells......." the lady in the pet store said.
I said, "She'll have a better life than being stuck in that cage all day, trust me."
That was in August 2018.
Love recognises no barriers.
I’m not sure if putting it on twitter is the right thing to do but maybe it will help me. We have just lost the kindest, sweetest dog you could ever imagine. Absolutely heartbroken to lose Milly. No other living being comes anywhere close. RIP Milly. Thank you for everything x
BLUE POINT re-creating the Abbey Road photo heading back to the racecourse stables after winning the Diamond Jubilee today. His 2nd Group 1 at Royal Ascot this week.
A policeman yelled at me,
"GET OUT OF THE ROAD !!"
I said calmly,
"Take a chill pill, I'm just getting my shot."
I don't go racing to bet, I don't go racing to drink, I've done plenty of that in my younger days.....I go racing to be around these beautiful animals. This is Native Trail after the 2000 Guineas. How could you not fall in love with him ?
ELIXIR DE NUTZ and Ritchie pre-parade at Sandown today.
If I wanted anyone to spend my final moments with it would be someone who looked at me and loved me as much as this.
RIP Elixir De Nutz x
During his career I always found Stradivarius an easy horse to photograph. It wasn't just his looks but his whole demeanour which made him the perfect subject. However, I saw him on Saturday at The National Stud and he was playing silly buggers. "Take a photo of that he said !"
A messy photo shot through a packed winner's enclosure but the two congratulatory and reassuring hands and the kindness of Goshen's eye has persuaded me to post it. So lovely.
One of the sweetest and most heart warming things that I have seen on a racecourse for a while, Imran, who looks after and rides Enable in her work, waved his little Enable flag all the way across the Knavesmire back to the racecourse stables after today's race. Beautiful.
I posted videos of Stradivarius, Baaeed, Constitution Hill etc but my most popular video of the year was this one of Pebbles being Pebbles. Worth a repeat. Happy Christmas.
It was Niall Houlihan who led up Goshen on that fateful day at Cheltenham in the 2020 Triumph Hurdle. He loved and looked after him that day and was the friend that Goshen needed, so it is wonderful to see Niall riding Goshen to victory at Exeter today. Well done to you both !
One of my favourite photos of Stradivarius. He is such a sweet natured horse and Mr Gosden is seen here giving him some reassurance and transmitting trust and confidence through his gentle touch. Close human and equine relationships are always great to watch and observe.
I was about four deep back from the rails for this but managed to get this shot through a gap and because I am tall. The moment Honeysuckle's will to win took over, you can see it in her eyes. Honey and the fantastic Love Envoi battle it out up the Cheltenham hill. What a race.
Don’t be horrible about horses. Form is irrelevant to their life. Betting on them can ignite hatred that they don’t deserve. They have a heart. They have a soul. They have feelings like we all do. Love them whether they run well or run badly. It’s not their fault.
#lovehorses
A special photo of Reece and Midnight Shadow. Thoughts are with all those who knew and loved this horse. Life is so tender, so fragile, so very precious.
A shout out for Bryony Frost who at
@Sandownpark
today signed every autograph, stopped for every photo, and made time for everyone that wanted to speak with her. She is an absolute delight to see racing, great for the sport, a fantastic jockey, + sets a very good example to all.
The best bench. Cleeve Hill looking down on Cheltenham racecourse. Go there one day, whatever your age, sit there and reflect on how good life is, but remember those who you have lost, and those who are not as fortunate as yourself.
Life if well lived is long enough.
Whatever Tiger Roll’s future he has been absolutely magnificent for racing. 31% strike rate. £1.3m+ in prize money. He’s raced at 6 Cheltenham Festivals wining at 4 of them. He’s won two Grand Nationals. And for a small horse with a very big heart he has nothing left to prove.
A few days ago a family lost a loved one, Newmarket lost one of it's characters, and many of us lost a friend. Here are a few of my memories of Michael Curran, a kind man with a good heart, but he couldn't cope in the big wide world anymore. RIP Michael x
Rachael Blackmore is inspirational, and a fine advertisement, not just for horse racing, but for how to conduct yourself in life and how to achieve your goals and succeed with determination, courage, quiet assurance, and a touch of class. Total respect.
I fell in love with him at Cheltenham and you can see why. He was just a magnificent looking horse who absolutely blew you away with his physique and his presence. RIP Mighty Potter.
The person who left Pebbles tied to a lamppost really do not know what they are missing. She is an absolute delight and a true friend to me.
The first photo is on the night that she was found, and the second is a more recent one.
So proud of the transformation.
I touched on this last night about capturing the attractiveness of the thoroughbred in a photo. It’s a distinctive look, almost charming, that draws you in and captivates your thoughts. This is AUGUSTE RODIN. I hope they all enjoy him at Santa Anita. He’s quirky but so talented.
Someone asked me the other day what was the most exciting race that I had seen. I instantly said Tidal Bay’s Lexus. At the start of the clip, Tidal Bay is 6th with the noseband. How on earth did he get up ? A fine example of a horse that really wanted to win.
Thank you so much to Christophe Masle for sending me this video of Sprinter Sacre’s sister, and her foal playing with their little friend. How beautiful is this x
@InfoArqana
@francegalop
Q. How do you get people interested in horse racing ?
A. Introduce them to the horses first not the racing.The racing is secondary.What makes people go racing every week, all year round, are the horses. Feel the love. Feel the emotions. Build that relationship. Love the horses.
ALCOHOL FREE after winning The July Cup.
Look into her eyes and you will see magnificence and beauty complimented by the dappled light of the July course testing area. Beautiful filly.
Thinking of all who knew and loved him.
As you know Shishkin was a real favourite of mine. A talented, quirky, sweet natured individual who emanated warmth and love. He deserved a longer life. RIP x
“The world was never meant for one as beautiful as you.” (Don McLean))
Heading back from Newmarket this afternoon the M11 was closed so the diversion took me past this wonderful sight. I hurriedly found a lay by to park up in and walked back to take this photo. How beautifully English. This is Audley End House and Gardens.
Disappointing reading the reaction by twitter to Goshen’s below par run. Just remember that there are people who love and look after this horse and don’t particularly want to read unkind and uneducated comments from those who wouldn’t know one end of a horse from another.
One of the stars of the day for me today. DASHEL DRASHER who gave his absolute all in the Stayer's Hurdle and ran his heart out to make everyone involved with him so very proud. Lovely to see him after the race and learn a bit more about him. Such a handsome lad.
We have eulogised over the achievements of Altior and Tiger Roll, but Un De Sceaux epitomises what this sport is all about. He has just won his 10th Grade 1 at Punchestown today, boasts a 72% strike rate, has won £1,519,000 in prize money, + he always gives his all. What a horse.
I walked past this man at Cheltenham a few times. If I was running Cheltenham racecourse I would have gone up to him, taken him to one side and said, "Next year, you are coming to the festival for nothing." The sport need people like this.
#dedication
Always tried his best, always exceeded expectations, and always ran as if he was absolutely loving it. We all have to go at some point but he has surely been taken far too young. A beautiful horse, a beautiful soul. RIP Silver Streak x
GOLIATH crosses Ascot High Street after winning yesterday's King George with his stringhalt condition very evident on his near hind. The visual impression is quite unusual here. A very imposing horse nonetheless and great to spend some time observing him post race.