Friday 1st November, 2024

We decided to give Huntingdon a miss with Elfride on Sunday and she will hopefully go to Chepstow next Wednesday where conditions will suit her better should she get a run.  She appears in good form at home and with the right conditions she will undoubtedly win again off her mark this season.

It was a frustrating time at Newmarket sales this week with potential purchases either failing the vet or being outbid, however the search will go on to build up the team for the coming season.

We took some horses away for a gallop this morning to give them more experience and a change of scenery.  Look forward to getting a few out on the course in the coming weeks.

Very sad news of the death of our great friend Alastair Down.  It appears to have been written in the stars that last Friday his family, friends, colleagues and admirers all converged at his favourite racecourse to celebrate the naming of the press room in his honour.

Alastair Down was undoubtedly a star, a fallen one at times with his many complexities and sensitivities that come with the territory of a wild genius.  Undoubtedly he was the most influential racing writer of his time and crafted the written word like no other.  He adapted his extraordinary character to the tv screen thanks to Channel Four Racing, where his measured tones were as distinctive as his fellow legendary journalists Sir Peter O’Sullevan and Hugh McIlvanney.

Alastair’s craft was driven from a natural love, passion, appreciation and sensitivity to the sport he adored.  It is ironic that it is All Saints day today and by his own admission he was no saint – timekeeping being one of his many faults.  However he was a great friend to many thanks to his generosity, enthusiasm, intelligence, and sense of fun.

I was lucky enough to know him well and we had many great times together.   One of my favourites was the day we backed Torquator Tasso at 100-1 thanks to my in-depth study of the race the previous evening.  Alastair’s excitement at defeating his online bookmaker was both intense and entertaining.

Along with other friends we had dinner together last Friday evening following his long day at Cheltenham where he had soaked up much praise and fondness.  I texted him the next day to thank him for sponsoring my supper and said I hoped he enjoyed his day and pointed out that he was much loved. His reply was “It could not have gone any better, marvellous for the soul and shocking for the ego! A special occasion.”

A special occasion it was and for a very special man.  Rest in peace my friend.