Doncaster's infamous drains
A-Z of Horse Racing (Part 2)
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Epsom - about 8m SW of the racecourse lies the village of Mickleham at which there's a pub named The Running Horses.
Formerly called something else, the pub was renamed in 1828 following that year's Derby in which Cadland and The Colonel ran a dead heat.
The pub sign has a portrait of Cadland on one side and The Colonel on the other.
Formerly called something else, the pub was renamed in 1828 following that year's Derby in which Cadland and The Colonel ran a dead heat.
The pub sign has a portrait of Cadland on one side and The Colonel on the other.
Hamilton Park - Scotland's sole flat-only racecourse.
On 28 June 2012 the last race at Hamilton was scheduled to start at 9:50pm. I believe this to be the latest off time for any race ever held in GB.
On 28 June 2012 the last race at Hamilton was scheduled to start at 9:50pm. I believe this to be the latest off time for any race ever held in GB.
King of the Ringers - otherwise Peter Christian Barrie who switched quite a few horses in the first part of the 20th century.
A magistrate once asked Barrie his definition of a good thing and received the reply, 'A useful 3 year old in a moderate 2 year old race, Your Honour.'
A magistrate once asked Barrie his definition of a good thing and received the reply, 'A useful 3 year old in a moderate 2 year old race, Your Honour.'
Old Vic. One of Cecil's best middle distance 3yo colt who won the 1989 French and Irish Derbies, he bypassed Epsom probably as the Maktoum's also had Nashwan that year but I'd have backed him to win it.
Percent: 36% through his autobiography on my Kindle. Godolphin have just nicked some of his best two year olds!
Quarter Horse - originally raced in the US over a distance of žm hence the name. Speeds of 55 mph or thereabouts have been clocked over this trip.
I've got an idea that žm was the optimum distance simply because of the difficulty in constructing a longer track but I can't recall where I read that.
I've got an idea that žm was the optimum distance simply because of the difficulty in constructing a longer track but I can't recall where I read that.
Steeplechase - according to the Buttevant website, backed up by a few others:
Quote:
“The first steeplechase ever was run locally between Buttevant and Doneraile, County Cork, over 250 years ago. Chasing from 'steeple to steeple' or point-to-point began in 1752 when Mr. Blake challenged his neighbour Mr. O'Callaghan, to race across country from Buttevant church to Doneraile church some four and a half miles distance and so jump stone walls, ditches and hedges as these presented themselves. By keeping the steeple of the church in sight (steeplechasing) both riders could see their finishing point.”
“The first steeplechase ever was run locally between Buttevant and Doneraile, County Cork, over 250 years ago. Chasing from 'steeple to steeple' or point-to-point began in 1752 when Mr. Blake challenged his neighbour Mr. O'Callaghan, to race across country from Buttevant church to Doneraile church some four and a half miles distance and so jump stone walls, ditches and hedges as these presented themselves. By keeping the steeple of the church in sight (steeplechasing) both riders could see their finishing point.”
Prix Vermeille, opened up to 4yo fillies in 2004 and 3yo+ in 2006 the race has yet to be won more than once by the same horse.
Whistler - pseudonym of Grand National winning jockey Marcus Armytage who tips for the Sunday Telegraph.
Young Pretender - Our Conor. An impressive winner of the Triumph Hurdle this year and currently 5/1 for next year's Champion Hurdle.
Anyone liking his chance might wish to factor in that 88 five year olds have lined up for the race since 1985 and only one (Katchit in 2008) has been successful.
Anyone liking his chance might wish to factor in that 88 five year olds have lined up for the race since 1985 and only one (Katchit in 2008) has been successful.
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