Monday 20th June, 2022

Off to Southwell today to saddle Run Rosie Run (pictured) in the mares bumper run at 2.25pm.  Things didn’t quite go right at Warwick but hopefully wearing a hood today will help and Adam Wedge takes the ride.  She has plenty of ability and has had a wind op, so let’s hope she transfers her homework to the track in what looks a competitive event.

Flying Dragon is declared at Bath on Wednesday in the 5pm – a one mile five furlong handicap.  Jonny Peate takes the ride and won on him at the end of last year.  He pulled a bit too hard last time out and hopefully he will settle better up with the leaders and has run well over course and distance in the past.

Royal Ascot was a splendid meeting for many reasons with both prestige and prizemoney on offer.  Simply the best horses in the world run at a beautiful setting.   There was a carnival atmosphere despite the heat and one of the many highlights was to see a diversity of winners and Charlie Appleby’s young daughters receiving a trophy or two.

Charlie does a splendid job not only in training horses but also involving his young family on the racetrack and social media.  Hopefully this will encourage more people to realise that it is a sport for all generations.

A senior politician pointed out to me at the Royal meeting that horse racing should make more of the fact that it is the only major sport where women and men compete on the same level.  To emphasise this, Hollie Doyle won yesterday’s French Oaks showing confidence, intelligence, strength and talent.  Like Rachael Blackmore, she is a beacon to all young people who wish to succeed in whatever they do and may this be the first of many Classic winners for Hollie.