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Knowing
Dawn Approach
only has to turn up at Newmarket on the 4th May to pay for a new Stradivarius!
Knowing
Dawn Approach
only has to turn up at Newmarket on the 4th May to pay for a new Stradivarius!
My favourite of 2013 will be when he gets stuffed in the Guineas and you end up with a Harley Benton!
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
Not going to be very original here, but Frankel in the Queen Anne is the most jaw dropping moment I’ve seen on a British racetrack for many a year, and that despite everybody expecting a romp. He still managed to produce a wow factor beyond and above all the hype like only he can, so much that even Peter Moody of all people had to admit he had to be the world’s best racehorse after the race.
There is plenty to choose from this year and although I am, at heart, a National Hunt man the two that stand out were both at Ascot flat meetings.
The Saturday of Royal Ascot and the UK début of Black Caviar, the anticipation and expectation then the sheer tension of the race itself as her rider seemed to do his utmost to throw the race away and the long, palpable, almost eternal pause as we waited for Nick Bostock to call the result. Followed by the relief we were not going to witness a jockey lynching.
Champions Day and the dénouement to Frankel’s career. Even that was not without drama with the testing conditions and the final decision about his participation not being made until mid-morning. I’ve never experienced an atmosphere like it on a racecourse and Frankel seemed to know he was the star and the centre of attention. 32,348 people there and almost every one wanting to see the one horse. He was cheered out, cheered in the race and cheered home. Barely a dry eye in the house. Even wizened hacks had tears rolling down their cheeks as he won. It was also appropriate that in the race before Excelebration, for whom Frankel had been such a nemesis, had arguably run the race of his life to win the QEII. It was the perfect racing day.
Has to be Black Caviar and all the excitement and tension leading up to her Diamond Jubilee success at Royal Ascot.
Watching the race on the big screen at Newmarket the gasp that went up as Luke Nolen seemed to stop riding just before the post as Moonlight Cloud came coasting up the rail and the agonizing wait for the photo to be called followed by the relief that Black Caviar would return to Oz her unbeaten record in tact was my magic racing moment of 2012.But closely followed by every single moment that Frankel was on the racecourse this year, the pride in the face of Sir Henry Cecil in seeing his beloved Frankel retire unbeaten after facing, and continuing to face, his own personal epic battle with cancer. Hoping to see him win that battle in 2013.
To all the horses and jockeys that we have sadly lost this year, you will always be remembered.
Some great memories and photos of Black Caviar’s Diamond Jubiless success here and my favourite deserves photo of year with Black Caviar seemingly laughing to camera whilst being led home by Peter Moody after her breathtaking win:-
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing … takes.html
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...Favs
Finally getting to see Frankel over 10 furlongs at York and being in awe.
Sprinter Sacre, Bobs Worth, Riverside Theatre, Tidal Bay for different reasons.
Worst
Apart from the upsetting sight of Sir Henry being so unwell, it was Paul Nicholls celebrating on his own at Aintree and ignoring others, including his wife. It had nothing to do with the horse and everything to do with his own vanity and retaining the title when he thought he’d lost it.
Also walked past Henderson at Haydock recently and ignored him, pumping his fists after Silviniaco Conti had won. The recent spat about Kauto rounds off the year for me and my respect for Nicholls has gone.FLAT: Has to be Frankel in the Queen Anne. The best performance ever seen by a racehorse.
JUMPS: Sprinter Sacre in the Arkle. Best novice performance I’ve seen.
Would "favourite memory" be a good category for the 2013 awards?
Value Is EverythingMine has to be Peter Moody being interviewed by Australian TV following Frankel’s destruction of the Queen Anne field at Royal Ascot.
The look on his face and the humble acceptance of Frankel’s greatness after witnessing "the best performance from any racehorse he had seen " – and the realisation that his "wonder from down under" wasn’t the best horse in the world afterall.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
No one mentioned as yet, LONG RUN’s KING GEORGE VI race on Boxing Day. A very determined run and just getting back up to pip Captain Chris. Can he retain the Gold Cup,
One thing for sure he’ll run a lot better in March. Not exactly big-time racing, but watching local legend Russell Road battle the up-and-coming 3yo Lucy’s Bob Boy in the A Huevo Stakes and come out victorious had me hoarse from cheering so loud.
And of course there’s great memories of Black Caviar at Ascot and Wise Dan in the BC Mile.
Riverside Theartre in the Ryanair. My favourite jockey pulling out all the stops to win on a horse i had a good few quid on. The camera angle made me none the wiser until the horse got up.
stone of folca winning the epsom dash from a high draw and breaking track record if he was drawn low god knows what he would have run
Hearing the news that Kauto had been retired and knowing that he and Denman were going to [hopefully] have a long and happy retirement. Thanks for the memories boys.
That moment after Frankel’s final victory when he and Bullet Train were running alongside one another for the final time and both jockeys and horses seemed to be congratulating one another. One of the most touching moments I’ve seen on a racecourse.
A couple of "I was there" moments:-
Joining nearly 70,000 in the round of applause during the Cheltenham Gold Cup that erupted after Ruby Walsh had pulled up Kauto Star. In our hearts we knew that was "Au reviour".
A day also tinged with the subsequent sadness knowing that Campbell Gillies, Brindisi Breeze, Synchronised and Bellvano had all perished within 3 months of their respective successes.
Frankel – Champions Day – nuff said.
One thing for sure he’ll run a lot better in March. 
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