*Soprano landing the Sandringham Stakes under Billy Loughnane, securing our 11th Royal Ascot win*

By Harry Herbert

There is nothing to compare with Royal Ascot in the world of thoroughbred racing and there is definitely nothing more thrilling than having a winner, so shouting Soprano home in the Sandringham was super special! It was her young jockey, Billy Loughnane’s second ever winner at the Royal Meeting and witnessing his infectious ear to ear grin as he came back into the winners enclosure was fabulous. Believing also gave us so much to shout about being placed in both the King Charles III (Gr 1) and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Gr 1) - the first Highclere horse ever to compete in two races at the Royal Meeting in the same week. She earned around £90,000 for her efforts with Soprano adding another £50,000 so all in all it was a very special week indeed!

It was great to catch up with so many of our owners especially those from as far afield as Australia, Bermuda, India and the US. Our pre racing picnics in the owners and trainers car park ensured that everyone had a good start to the long day ahead. “Captain” Kershaw reported on day two that Taittinger magnums were disappearing rapidly, so Alex immediately ensured that reinforcements were swiftly brought in!

The winners have been flowing nicely and there are some seriously exciting prospects lined up for the month ahead. Bountiful looked very smart when winning that £40,000 Novice at Carlisle and she now heads to black type races - yet another very good filly with George Boughey to go to war with!

Many thanks to Mike Richards for writing his lovely piece on his week at Ascot as a Highclere owner. Mike and Joanna have been tremendous supporters for many years and know only too well how hard it is to compete in that cauldron of top class racing. That elusive Group 1 winner is surely just around the corner Mike!

There is still plenty to play for as we head into the second half of the 2024 flat season so buckle up for the ride ahead!!

On the track

by Emily Scott

It has been a memorable month on the track for team Highclere, highlighted by a superb win from Soprano in the Sandringham Stakes. It is always a fiercely competitive handicap, which you need a Group-class horse to win it with and Soprano “hit the high notes” as the commentator so eloquently put it! It was her first run in a handicap and her first run over a mile and she showed what a talented filly she is. It was certainly a well-deserved victory for her owners as she has been knocking at the door in some top-class company for a while now, so it was fitting that she should win her second race on racing’s biggest stage. She is engaged tomorrow in a Listed event at Sandown where she is favourite to add another win to her tally. Best of luck to all involved!

Soprano (left) under Billy Loughnane in the Sandringham Stakes, Royal Ascot

The show wasn’t completely stolen by Soprano at Ascot because Believing did something remarkable, for a filly especially, and that was to place in both Group 1 sprints that book end the Royal meeting. George was given the confidence to target both races after a scintillating victory from Believing just 10 days earlier in a 5f Listed race at Haydock. She overcame an awful draw on the Tuesday to finish just a length and a quarter behind the Australian-trained winner Asfoora in the King Charles III Stakes (Gr 1) and on Saturday the stiff 6f looked to stretch her stamina, but she showed great guts to stay on for fourth behind Khaadem who retained his crown having won the race last year. She has enjoyed a week or so in the paddock and looks marvellous, so hopefully her exertions haven’t taken too much out of her. She could be seen next in a Group 2 at the Curragh towards the end of July.

Bountiful wins Carlisle in the 6f Novice

It was a record-breaking month for George Boughey as he bettered his number of wins in a calendar month with 24 winners in June, at a strike rate of 25%. One of those victories was the hugely impressive win by Bountiful in a valuable novice at Carlisle. She had bypassed Royal Ascot as George was keen to run her in another novice under a penalty rather than jump straight into Group company and that decision paid off in spades as she bagged the £40,000 novice with ease under William Buick who was recording his first winner at the track. She has been given an opening handicap mark of 89 and will be stepping into stakes company on her next start with plenty of options coming up in July.

Approval wins Windsor

Winning connections

Approval crossing the line in front

Indemnity winning at Nottingham earlier in June

It was nice to see a couple of older horses break their maidens this month as Approval (William Haggas) and Indemnity (Roger Varian) both got their heads in front. Approval is an exuberant front runner and was given a beautifully timed ride by Tom Marquand to skip away with a 1m2f novice at Windsor a fortnight before Royal Ascot. His rating duly leapt up 8lbs which saw him get into the Golden Gates Handicap at Ascot. Tom tried to employ the same tactics and unfortunately, he couldn’t pull it off as Approval faded into 7th position. He was by no means disgraced and I think a drop in class will see him back in the winner’s enclosure before long. Indemnity’s form read 22252 before he broke his maiden over the extended mile at Nottingham. He was favourite to follow that victory up at Kempton last night, but unfortunately missed the break so had a mountain to climb. He is likely to return to turf and step back up in trip next time.

It was thrilling to see Drama win at significant odds of 18/1 at Kempton earlier this month. His trainer, James Ferguson, is convinced he is a well handicapped horse who things just haven’t fallen right for and so it was satisfying to see him win in such good style. He very nearly followed up that win at Newmarket a fortnight later on ground that was firmer than ideal, but he hung late on and was caught on the line by Waleefy. He could return to Kempton in a couple of weeks’ time.

Drama getting his nose in front at Kempton

Winning connections

As well as the six winners we had several placed horses, all of whom should be noted as they’ll no doubt be getting their heads in front at some stage. Cuban Melody was placed twice in June and think ‘bumped into one’ in both races. The winner of her race at Haydock was placed in Listed company next time and Miss Bodacious, who beat her on handicap debut at Newmarket has since been raised 9lbs. Cuban Melody remains a progressive filly who is learning with every start and Andrew still has high hopes for her for the rest of the season.

It was a weekend for seconds at Newmarket as Rhetorical was narrowly defeated the day before on his second start. He had won impressively on debut and was short favourite to follow up at Newmarket, but his greenness got the better of him as he pulled himself into the lead early on. Had his jockey kicked for home a little sooner he may have got away with it, but at the line he went down by just half a length. I still think he was the horse to take out of the race and William has plenty of faith in him. He could run at Kempton next week and has been given an early closing entry in the Great Voltigeur Stakes (Gr 2) at York’s Ebor meeting.

no ordinary week

At about 5.45pm on Saturday 22nd June, as Approval and Tom Marquand passed the post, they brought the curtain down on a five-act Ascot drama that had left Joanna and me excited, nervous, hoarse, exhilarated - even tearful. Sadly, there are good reasons why critics worry about the future of British racing but Royal Ascot proved yet again this year that no one can match us in putting on a show and allowing the thrilling spectacle of this magnificent sport to speak loudly and clearly for itself.

Five acts: five races but just four horses, as the redoubtable Believing was taking two leading roles. It had been exactly ten years since Telescope demolished his rivals in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes to provide us with the happiest day of our racing lives, but my (rather greedy) ambition when joining Highclere has always been to win a Group 1 – and Believing was set to contest two of these elite races within a week, and with a good chance in each! Her ‘supporting cast’, Soprano and Approval, were due to run in two of those huge-field handicaps that are often described as a lottery but actually require a great deal of class to win. With Defiance due to run in the presitigous King Edward VII Stakes (G2). Five runners at Ascot…we were feeling like a couple of Aidan’s ‘Lads’!

A diary will tell you that Ascot week is just like any other, but it is so much more than that. It is a goal, a lure, a destination – a time-warping dream that starts as soon as you know you have a horse good enough to take part. So, with Believing, our Ascot began last September, when her stunning third in Haydock’s big sprint proved that she was capable of taking on the best on equal terms. Since that day, every video and message from George or the Highclere team has been forensically analysed: how is she – still on course for Ascot? And for which race?! Of course, we know that nothing can be taken for granted in this sport, so each message is also opened with a degree of trepidation that something has gone wrong to disrupt the dream. And George certainly threw us a curve ball when he announced his intention to send her to Hong Kong for a £1m prize sprint at Sha Tin. But what about Ascot, George? Don’t horses get jet lag, too! Anyway, while torrential rain prevented her from doing herself justice in HK, the trip proved an excellent bonding experience for an already-close syndicate and any fears about lingering after-effects were majestically dispelled when Believing cantered home in a listed race at Haydock on her domestic return. Now we could really start to worry!

It’s possible that farmers look at weather Apps more often than racehorse owners, but I doubt it. With Soprano and Approval also potentially Ascot-bound, we had three horses who all needed fast ground to be seen at their best – and seventeen Apps telling us it was going to rain solidly for the whole of June: not the combination we were hoping for! But, miraculously, the rain either vanished or skirted considerately around the course and it gradually became clear that the weather gods were on our side. Hopes could become plans of action and Believing was committed to the King Charles III Stakes on the opening day. The King Charles III – a new name but a famous race won by many of the finest sprinters of my lifetime. And we were going there with a serious chance!

Unfortunately, our well-disposed weather gods neglected to inform their colleagues in the draw department that Believing was supposed to end my Group 1 quest and, with high numbers favoured, she was handed the number 1 stall. I apologise now to my London neighbours for the less-than-seemly outburst that followed this development…her momentous task had just got even tougher.

Two (bad) sleeps later and the big day had finally arrived. We had long previously chosen Tuesday as our family day at Ascot this year and the presence of so many children cum partners cum friends – none of whom knew the difference between a Group 1 and a group hug – somehow helped to keep a lid on our nerves until it was time for her race and we made our way to pre-parade. September to June: the nine-month dream was suddenly all too real!

George Boughey, Danny Tudhope and owners gather ahead of Believings race with nervous excitement in the parade ring

Believing looked primed to run for her life, George exuded a calm confidence that is almost offensive in one of such tender years, and jockey Danny Tudhope had the slight edge of one who knew he was in with a serious chance. I think most of the syndicate managed a smile, but nerves were dialled up to eleven and the butterflies could have populated an entire Attenborough series. It was time to leave the huddle and find a relatively private spot on the grandstand to see how this act would end.

Believing, Danny Tudhope and handler Hollie a picture of focus ahead of the race!

Five furlongs on fast ground takes no prisoners and even Believing, usually such a strong traveller, found herself outside of her comfort zone in the early stages, with Danny urging her to stay in touch with the pace. Fortunately, you would have to go a long way to find a more courageous horse and Believing responded so well that, at the two furlong mark, she seemed to have every chance in spite of racing away from the main action on the stands’ side. Head-down, giving everything, she stayed on strongly through the line, finishing a gallant and narrow fourth. The Australian-trained winner was impressive (why did no-one tell them our prize money is lousy?!) but I’d like to think that with a kinder draw we’d have been no worse than second.

I’ve always felt that fifth is the cruelest finishing position at Ascot, as you are obliged to take the ‘walk of shame’ to the unsaddling area reserved for the also-rans, but Believing’s fourth allowed us to stand amidst the celebrations in the paddock, soaking up the unique atmosphere of Ascot’s winner’s circle and watching, not a little enviously, as the Aussies received their trophy from the King himself. Believing herself was hardly blowing, happy and relaxed in the company of her devoted lass, Hollie, who has played such a vital role in transforming a somewhat ‘complicated’ two-year-old into the racing machine she is today. Assuming she’s as well as she looks, George reported, we go again Saturday!

Believing post race with handler Hollie as they make their way to the fourth podium in the parade ring

Believing in the winners enclosure in fourth spot with a well deserved wash down

Driving home that evening, I had conflicting emotions. Believing had run an incredible race and proved beyond doubt that she belonged at the top table, but I really thought she had a great chance of winning and, ten years after Telescope, it seemed as if our next Royal Ascot winner could well take another decade to arrive. As luck would have it, however, it was only three days away…

If ‘courageous’ is the first word that comes to mind with Believing, for Soprano it would have to be ‘luckless’. I won’t bore you with the catalogue of her misfortunes but suffice to say that as a foal she must have broken thirteen mirrors, because nothing had gone her way since her debut victory at Newmarket at two. But we had never lost faith in her talent and, while a 31-runner cavalry charge over a distance she had never previously attempted (yes, even George can get it wrong occasionally!) might seem an unlikely place to seek redemption, early odds of 25-1 were a little too good to resist.

Billy Loughnane and owners gathering once more in nervous excitement ahead of Soprano’s run in the parade ring

The Friday of the race arrived, excitement was high but nerves were tempered by the knowledge that she could run a stormer yet still finish about tenth, so expectations were more measured. Again, George was unruffled but, this time, he appeared a veritable veteran compared to our jockey. Billy Loughnane is 18 but looks as if he’d need I.D. to start primary school. Moreover, he had exactly the same number of Ascot winners to his name as we did – one. Was he man enough for the job? Anyone who has met Billy will know how redundant that question was. Exuding charm and confidence way beyond his years, he bestowed his megawatt smile on syndicate members and assured us he had it all covered. It was clear he had few doubts about either horse or trip and, by the time we made our way to the stands, that familiar knot in the stomach was beginning to tighten.

Held up off the pace, Soprano appeared to be travelling well but so were several of the opposition. About two furlongs out, Billy spotted a gap towards the centre of the track and urged our filly to take it. The response was immediate and electric: surging between rivals, Soprano’s gleaming chestnut coat was soon gloriously isolated against the green of the turf and she stayed on strongly through the line, never looking like being caught. Ascot winner number two for both Billy and us!

Before

celebrations after

ecstatic owners!

Every winner is exciting, but to cheer home your horse in a packed grandstand at Ascot, with some 60,000 people yelling in unison is to experience one of life’s great natural highs. The surge of adrenaline is indescribable, a distillation of joy at its most pure. We’d lost our voices, tears were flowing, and we rushed to join the other equally elated shareowners and Harry and his team in the hallowed patch of ground that is the Ascot winner’s enclosure. Truly a feeling like no other and a huge thrill to share it with George and Billy for whom it is also still very special.

Billy celebrates after the win!

Winning connections

Defiance then had the daunting task of running in the shadow of a win, alot to ask of any horse particularly at this level. As we all know racing can be a humbling sport and you cannot let yourself get carried away. Although we would be lying if none of us had secretly been hoping for a ‘Highclere double on the day’! Unfortunately the ground was not in Defiance’s favour and despite a promising start jockey Silvestre de Sousa ended up easing off him to ensure he was able to go to war another day!

Importantly Defiance was ok after the race and Roger Varian still has high hopes for Defiance, and the dream remains very much alive. We cannot forget that it is still a thrill to have the joy of a run on the World stage or Royal Ascot, we perhaps had got a little ‘used’ to the winners enclosure in what is considered the Olympics of horse racing!

Never the less the next twenty-four hours were spent in a blissful daze of inane smiles and involuntary but audible sighs of satisfaction, and somehow Soprano’s victory took the pressure off Believing’s race the next day, even though she had been supported into favouritism and that Group 1 monkey was still firmly on my back. This time, our filly travelled well early on and caused significant further damage to my vocal cords as Danny produced her to lead with a furlong to run. Head down, as always, there was no questioning her resolve, but Tuesday’s exertions weighed on her legs in the final 100 yards and she faded to again finish fourth. As dearly as we wanted to win, how could we be disappointed with a filly who had hit the frame in two historic Group 1 races just five days apart? She’s a star, and we could only share Hollie’s pride in her filly afterwards. And still we weren’t quite done.

Believing owners ahead of her second run in the pre parade at Royal Ascot

Tom Marquand and owners ahead of Approvals run!

Tom Marquand and Approval head to the start line

Approval had earned his place at the Ascot table at the last minute, with an impressive Windsor success that saw him installed as second favourite for the Golden Gates handicap, the penultimate race of the meeting. Again, simply to enjoy that experience with William and Maureen Haggas is a privilege granted to very few and we were pretty much floating by this stage. In the end, the race proved a case of ‘too much, too soon’ for Approval but he ran with great credit and his being there in the first place was remarkable in itself: it wasn’t that long ago that William was describing him as like the most moody of teenagers and it is to his and Maureen’s great credit that he has made a racehorse at all.

So, after our fifth run of the week, we had to make the second of only two walks of shame. But that was okay, too, because it’s a reminder that that is what is to be expected when competing at the highest level of the sport and it only underlines how precious those other moments are. Thanks to Harry and Jake Warren, we had enjoyed a week that any owner would cherish – and we’d had the added excitement of the months of anticipation that preceded it.

We don’t know whether Believing or Soprano will stay in training next year but, if they do, Royal Ascot 2025 will begin for us on the day the decision is made. If not, well, we’ll just have to hope that one of the two-year-olds shows enough promise to suggest they just might possibly scale those same heights that brought us so much joy this time.

George Boughey, Jake Warren and Harry Herbert - this is how much it means to have a Royal Ascot winner!

Billy Loughnane and Soprano winning collage

Serendepity

By Jane Green

So much in life centres on being in a particular place at a particular time. That place and time for me was Friday 31 May 2024 at Epsom Racecourse when I was honoured to become the first woman in history to judge the Classic Oaks race.

Had there been a master plan? Had I known what I wanted to do in life? Had I been guided by a careers adviser at school? Definitely not! I knew I loved horses; I had read Black Beauty, watched Champion the Wonder Horse and International Velvet. I had also skipped school several times to wander among horses in neighbouring fields, but a career in horseracing? Never. Not on the radar. There was no radar! But from the outset, despite circumstances, serendipity had a say.

Our mother passed away when just 29 years old, leaving five children (two sets of twins and a younger sister) aged five and under. A few years later we were separated; my sister and I were taken by my grandparents to live in Sussex. I was imprisoned by practicalities; funds were tight and any possessions second or even third-hand. There was no furnishing dreams. But I was a dreamer, and still am.

I first felt the effect of serendipity when aged twelve. To ‘earn my keep’ I held a summer job in the local ‘chippy’. Here I met Cheryl Lutring, a lady who, unwittingly, became my mentor. She and her husband lived in the country and owned beautiful horses. I spent a weekend at her place. Incredulously, it was the first time I had been permitted to stay anywhere, and it was idyllic. Paradise. I felt a joy and happiness not experienced before, a sensation in stark contrast with the sadness of my life. It was shocking, almost unbearable. I sat alone in my bedroom sobbing desperate tears; life had been so miserable but did not have to be so. It was in that pivotal day I determined I would work hard, that if I did somehow life would improve.

Judged by some teachers as a rank outsider in the race of high achievers, I surprised a few at school and did pretty well. Heeding my grandmother’s diktat that I ‘learn something practical’ I attended further education. ‘Practical’ meant several secretarial courses. Actually, those secretarial skills resulted in three international awards and being selected for a career in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Now for a shy, diffident girl corralled within four miles of Eastbourne, this was the equivalent of flying to the Moon! Serendipity’s door stood wide open, waiting, but I was too terrified to venture forth.

Yet, as always in my life, kind friends reached out, took my hand and led me onward. However, a year spent in the hallowed musty rooms of the FCO’s Near East and North Africa Department – scribbling shorthand at record speeds and hammering a typewriter to meet ferocious deadlines – affirmed an office life was not for me. I resigned with my father’s admonishment that I had ‘thrown up an opportunity to travel’ ringing in my ears.

But after I closed that dusty old door, I passed through another, that of an executive charter airline – McAlpine Aviation – where I became an aircrew administration officer/secretary for the Manager of Flight Operations. I loved it, and leapt on aircraft at every opportunity. No two days were the same and a highlight has to be, when aged just 21, taking the controls of an Aerospatiale helicopter and piloting it along the river Thames, at night! That could not happen now!

Still unsophisticated, still reticent, that excitement led me to the high seas where I ‘grew up’, spending sixteen years serving as a senior officer on cruise ships travelling the world. Where was Eastbourne now? It was here that the first of my two destinies claimed me; when I became the proverbial round peg in the round hole – presenting astronomy. Sailing beneath dazzling night skies, I developed an interest in this science, studied Degree courses through the Open University and began outreach for the passengers. When I left the sea, the presenting continued, both on board and ashore and resulted in a best-selling book, participation in the first UK national theatre tour on astronomy, becoming a regular features writer for the BBC Sky at Night and presenting around the country, most recently for Sir Richard Branson and his Virgin Galactic team at the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

So, finally, why my other ‘destiny’ – horseracing? Serendipity again. A friend spotted an advert in the Horse & Hound for the position of steward’s secretary. I worked two meetings at Lingfield racecourse and was told I had the role. Crikey! Racecard? What’s a racecard? But when I clapped eyes on those Thoroughbred horses in the parade ring, my heart took a jolt. I knew they would become an enormous part of my life.

Fourteen very enjoyable years later they became a much bigger part when I transitioned to the role of Judge – the person who watches the horses cross the finishing line, determines which runner has won the race, announces the first four placed horses and places all the other runners before transmitting the official result. If a head or less separates any of the first four then I announce a ‘photo finish’. I then work closely with my invaluable photo finish operator, scrutinising the across-the-line image to identify horses and determine places. Often just one pixel can separate two runners. In rarer cases there are no pixels at all – it’s a dead heat. It’s a very challenging role but I am part of a brilliant team and the BHA stewards have my back.

So, was the ‘shy girl from Sussex’ stressed as she slipped into the chair to judge the 245th running of the Oaks? Well I was keenly aware of the race’s prestige! Having been interviewed by the Racing Post and, on the day, ITV and Racing TV, I knew the world was watching, attested by the nerve twanging the length of my left arm! But as I tracked those beautiful fillies cantering to the start, all fear fled. I was focused. Goose-bumps? Yes. Tears threatening? Yes. As always, my heart swelled and soul soared as I watched our glorious equine athletes, and as they raced across the finishing line, large distances between, this ‘rank outsider’ was afforded a rare and wonderful privilege – a chance to savour racing history and revel in a magical, unforgettable moment.

Thank you, serendipity, and thank you one and all.

The magnolia cup

by Lauren Price, who rides in the 2024 Magnolia Cup

They say ignorance is bliss, and that certainly was the case when I agreed to ride a 5-furlong sprint at Glorious Goodwood, having never ridden a racehorse before. The undertaking has far surpassed my expectations: the gym sessions for the rigorous fitness test, riding out every day despite the crazy weather conditions, and the mental struggles that go along with being pretty useless at it all.

The Magnolia Cup is a wonderful charity race which every year brings out unique stories, highlights the sport in a new light and to a new audience, raising vital money for deserving charities, and supports and inspires women. I had always looked on in admiration at the ladies riding and loved covering the event on social media. When the opportunity arose to ride in the race and raise some awareness for an amazing charity, I jumped at the chance. Little did I know the wild ride I would be in for, saying goodbye to my Saturday morning lie-ins for gallop days and replacing pub sessions with wall sits.

Having worked in horse racing, albeit in social media, for ITV Racing, World Horse Racing, and Arena Racing Company, I thought I would be slightly clued up on what was to come. Fundamentally, no. I was shocked when a bridle was handed to me in two parts, and I was given six rectangle pieces of material along with a saddle to tack up a horse in 10 minutes. That’s when I realized I had no idea what I was doing.

I have been lucky enough to ride out for Ben Brookhouse and the wonderful team there. Alike me, I don’t think they realized what they had let themselves in for when, on the second time of riding there, I broke the arena wall. Every single person at the yard has gone out of their way to help me, whether it’s tips on how to hold the reins, translating racing terms, and most importantly, being very patient. I can now successfully say I can gallop and school a racehorse.

Alongside the riding, the Injured Jockeys Fund and British Racing School have been a great support. When I say we started from the ground up, this could not be truer, as I fell off the mechanical stationary horse with Michael Tebbutt in one of my first sessions (he said it wasn’t the first time it happened, but I think he was just being kind). From there, Michael Hills has been a complete godsend, making sure my legs can withstand the final furlongs with endless encouragement and humouring my hundreds of questions.

While this challenge is still massively daunting, the one thing that has been a driving force is the worthy cause we are raising money for: My Sister’s House. Their motto is “helping women to thrive, not just survive.” As someone who has lived those feelings, it means the world that we can help give women their power back and support them in their journey to recovery in any small way we can. It’s somewhere you hope no one would need to use but is so vital in supporting women going through the toughest and most turbulent times of their lives. They support any self-identifying woman to improve their welfare and wellbeing, reducing their risk of domestic abuse and supporting recovery.

Due to the nature of government grants, it’s vital that individuals fundraise to keep their work going. Recent research found that only 1.8% of grants that go to charities were awarded to those supporting women and girls, and only two-thirds of grants for women and girls-focused activity were awarded to specialists like My Sister’s House (Rosa, 2023). I think we can all think of at least one woman struggling right now, whether it’s your friend, mum, sister, co-worker, or yourself—and this has been my motivation when the alarm goes off and to try and raise as much money as possible.

A few ways we are raising money for My Sister’s House is through the 12 jockeys' JustGiving pages, horse sponsorship, the Regency Ball, and the raffle on the evening.

It’s remarkable how one minute, on one day, can encompass so much for so many people. The race requires so much support, whether it’s in the racing silk design, this year by Lisou, a female-owned and run London-based fashion brand; the countless people behind the scenes from Goodwood ensuring the smooth running; George Baker and the British Racing School; all the racehorse trainers giving up their time and horses; and all the personal trainers tasked with helping us complete a four-minute plank—it truly takes an army.

I naively thought I would learn how to ride, do the race, get a cool mantelpiece photo, and move on. However, this could not be further from the truth. I have learned so much, not just about riding but about myself, about the industry I work in (and we all love), and about the people who get up at 5 a.m. every day to work with these amazing horses. Most importantly, I’ve learned about how, when we all work together, we can "help women to thrive, not just survive" and change the trajectory of someone’s life. In short, raising money to change someone else’s life for the better has changed my life for the better.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Hungry Harry

Coolmore STud visit

Group photo at Coolmore stud next to the mighty Galileo statue

Winston Churchill is known to have said that ‘the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man’ and if that is the case then we most certainly would have been healed of all ailments after the trip to Coolmore Stud that took place at the beginning of June. This was not just from the increase of intake of iron from the quantities of Guiness that may or may not have been consumed in the irish pub. A special thank you must go to The Captain, Mark Kershaw for organising the surprise irish band after supper, which certainly added to the authentic ‘irish experience’.

Yeats guarding the gates on Coolmore grounds

The next morning we all rose (mostly) bright eyed and bushy tailed eager to see what the much anticipated Coolmore Stud visit had in store. I do not think there are words to justify the experience one receives from a bespoke visit to Coolmore. I knew it was going to be impressive, but it surpassed even my expectations. From the moment we arrived in the sunny (yes sunny) Emerald Isle, Jason who hosted us, had a bottomless pit of mind blowing facts about the the world renowned operation that needs no introduction, Coolmore Stud. If you have not been before and get the opportunity to go grab it with both hands, I will not try and relay all the information to you in this article (I hear a sigh of relief, but to be honest I would not even scratch the surface if I tried). All I can say is that it was simply fascinating to be hosted by such an engaging and knowledgable member of their 300 strong staff. Jason has been there for over 25 years and his passion for his work was palpable.

I digress, back to the visit…we entered the gates and we walked up a beautiful and peaceful driveway, flanked with trees and ‘littered’ with statues of some of racing’s greats, from Yeats to Galileo. They are mostly sculpted by the hugely talented Charlie Langton (who has just done Cachet). Interestingly Charlie does not include their eye balls as he feels you can see more deeply into the horses soul that way. More than anything, what hits you as soon as you walk in is the peacefulness and calmness of the stud. The attention to detail goes beyond the care of the horses (which is also outstanding), but the care extends to the grounds. The result? An oasis of tranquility in the heart of Co. Tipperary. Basically if felt like a high-end bougie retreat for stallions, anyone that thought race horses and breeding stock were not well looked after would be eating their words after a visit here - that I can guarantee!

Every so often a stallion emerges that changes the course of the breed, and Galileo was one of them. Northern Dancer the grandsire of Galileo altered the thoroughbred for ever, and now Galileo, who at the time of his death aged 23 (in 2021) had become the most successful G1 sire of all time producing 91 G1 winners, with 20 of his sons going on to produce G1 winners (leading the way are Frankel and Australia). This number has no doubt has increased since then, but nevertheless it is a stat that never fails to impress and drove home the realisation we were walking in the presence of racing royalty.

Graves containing the hearts of Galileo and Sadlers Wells (only hearts are allowed to be buried not full bodies by law)

Once we had dined out on stories of historic champions, including walking past the graves of Sadler’s Wells and Galileo, where their hearts are buried. We were treated to the most spectacular show of living world class stallions, from Australia, Wootton Bassett to Camelot. We were permitted to stand inches away from these priceless animals whose offspring have dominated the race courses at the highest level all over the globe.

Australia and owners

Wootton Bassett and owners

Australia walking up

Camelot

We were a couple of years too late to meet the great Galileo in the flesh, but to see his stable, and the marks where he used to rest his chin on a mouthful of hay, was still pretty amazing.

Galileo's stable

photo of when Galileo rested hay under his chin!

After we had our fill of these beautful animals in the flesh, we met one more, and undisputably historic racing icon. We were not allowed to take photos unfortunately, but all I can say is when we walking into the Coolmore museum and were faced with the ‘stuffed’ Sadler’s Wells, I was convinced he was about to take a step off and go galloping back out into a paddock! The workmanship and skill is outstanding and it was no surprise that Jason informed us that it has won numerous world titles for taxidermy. Europe’s ‘Northern Dancer’ was the Coolmore’s Sadler’s Wells, (also the sire of Galileo), whose immense success at stud consisted of 73 G1 winners and was a key component to the rise of the operation and its racing arm, Ballydoyle, as a result.

After a few minutes of standing there and oogling at the horse that arguably is the ‘super daddy’ of current race horses, we were then escorted through rooms where trophy’s of the highest level, from G1 Classics to numerous Cartier Awards, (silverwear that any trainer/owner or breeder would dream of having one of) adorned the walls from the ceiling to the floor. A hall of fame…it was a mansion of fame, and it was humbling to be able to wander the halls and drink in the success until our hearts were full.

Beyond the stallions that are present, is the farm beyond. I was surprised to discover that Coolmore also grow and produce their own feed, so they are literally aware from farm to mouth (or hoof) what these horses are consuming. They also put these invaluable mares and foals out with cattle (yes generic cattle!) to lower the amount that they have to worm the horses, reducing it to only twice yearly from monthly.

Mares and foals in the field with their bovine nannies…cattle!

I have tried to keep this visit summary brief, but one more thing I have to mention is how brilliantly everyone got on, I felt that it was a joyous atmosphere and a trip that evidently meant so much to all those that came. It was the first visit to Ireland full stop for the Bray’s, I am not sure they are every going to be able to top it! I do hope next year you will join the visit and be able to experience this for yourself.

Most people of my generation have been going cray cray for Tay Tay, (aka Taylor Swift and I would be lying if I said I was not also a #swiftie), but it is safe to say I ticked off a major bucket list dream that day. It was an absolute privilege to have been allowed such unique and exclusive access to an operation which has influenced the course of horse racing through their success both on and off the track. Many thanks must go to Jason and his team at Coolmore Stud for a truly sensational and unforgettable visit.

Rolf’s Ramblings

by Rolf Johnson

back to the future

There’s nothing to beat ‘being there’ and fifty years on seems like yesterday, recalling one of the most stylishly orchestrated horseracing gambles. I was a witness – though not at the trial at Preston Crown Court where the Gay Future affair ended up – but actually at the bijou Cartmel track, August Bank Holiday 1974.

There was something ‘going off’ in that day’s Ulverston Novices Hurdle and if you spotted it – you profited, unlike the perpetrators.

Yes, the fiftieth anniversary of horseracing’s sweetest coup which took place at the home of sticky toffee pudding, is upcoming. What could possibly go wrong?

Eighteen months later the judge at Preston all but directed the jury to let the defendants off. The plot “was ingenious and nobody got hurt,” said His Honour. His words went unheeded and the fines for the mastermind, Irish building contractor Tony Murphy and for Ayrshire permit holder Tony Collins came to £1000 apiece, with costs.

The Jockey Club’s punishment was more condign: both men were ‘warned off’, banned from racing for ten years. Nobody got hurt; victimless crime then? Is that how we classify an inside job - acting on inside information? Is that the ‘future’?

Admittedly that’s a clumsy introduction to revisiting the Gay Future affair. Insider trading is in the news again – definition: when a select person or persons knows the result before the information is released to the public and takes advantage of same. It simply can’t happen in racing where there are no ‘certainties’ (notwithstanding Martin Pipe telling Tony McCoy he was on “the biggest cert ever” before Unsinkable Boxer slaughtered opposition at Cheltenham in 1998).

Those who bet early on the 2024 election date as July 4 only wanted that day: they knew. “Who else knew?” is always racing’s challenge when the unexpected turns up. But there can’t have been many racing folk on the Preston jury or the verdict, 10 to 2, would have been more sympathetic.

In this digital age no wager gets under the radar: what world were the election date insiders living in? Obviously a smelly one: a sillier one was found in Radio 4 Today’s morning racing tip. It was always in sore need of ‘inside info’, running unprofitably since 1977 – the ‘Winter of Discontent’ – until the BBC dropped it last month.

Revelation of the Cartmel escapade titillated even non-partisans. Ten years ago the executive invited Collins as guest of honour to the 40th anniversary celebration of ‘Gay Future day’. Now 88 he’s available for the 50th. The man who in his heyday shared a multitude of horses with the late Robert Sangster, was an innocent dupe – so some said. Collins’s wife at the time (he’s on his fourth) was at Cartmel, backing their other runner.

The Cartmel conspiracy wasn’t a criminal offence. It wasn’t an open and shut case like say the Great Train Robbery, but they did break the Rules of Racing by not boarding Gay Future in Collins’ Troon yard for the regulation twenty-eight days minimum before running – the four-year-old gelding was housed there just two days, maximum.

The deceit that undid building contractor Murphy and his alleged ‘Cork Mafia’ was that their other ‘runners’, Opera Cloak and Ankerwyke, supposedly making up a treble at Southwell and Plumpton, never left their Troon paddock. Whoever answered the phone to a newshound on the trail of a story, guilessly let out that the non-runners were out to grass. The whole ‘dastardly’ scheme began to unravel.

Opera Cloak and Ankerwyke were withdrawn so, by the Rules of Racing, all the money transferred to Gay Future. Half a century (1927) after the ‘blower’ service came in to alert bookmakers to sharp betting moves the service still hadn’t reached remote Cartmel. Ginger McCain of Red Rum fame had the obvious favourite of the ten runners – Crocodillo at 5-4. But the jungle drums had been beating all morning for Gay Future so bookmakers sent a motor cyclist, panniers full of cash, to Cartmel to scalp the Gay Future’s on course price: Wells Fargo wouldn’t have made it; even back then holiday traffic to the Lakes on the M6 was chock a bloc.

(It’s a mystery to me how Withnail and I were able to saunter up that same motorway in the 1987 cult film).

Most bookies refused to pay out on the ‘inevitable’, Gay Future winning by a street. Lord Wigg head of BOLA, the Betting Office Licensees Association, called in the law and a year and a half later Murphy and Collins were charged with “Conspiracy to defraud”. Wigg, nor anybody else, said a dickey about Murphy’s abortive attempt the year before - with a horse called Hindsight.

The Betting and Gaming Council, getting hot under the collar about mischievous Election betting in 2024, didn’t exist back in ’74 - or in 2012 when Ladbrokes and William Hill suspended betting on the next Archbishop of Canterbury. The 6/4 favourite Justin Welby romped home.

Lowly Cartmel was buried among the eleven Bank Holiday fixtures. But the information was there for astute punters that Gay Future’s Thurles bumper win and the advantage (admittedly a ‘last minute booking’) of a well-known amateur (in Irish fields) Mr T A Jones, might be something to bet on – even if the trainer, Collins, wasn’t.

We were a band of four, students at Lancaster University, round the corner of Morecambe Bay from Cartmel. We were diligent with our form study and when lectures and seminars didn’t get in the way (and they didn’t) we toured northern racing in an ancient Austin A35 ‘banger’. We never missed Cartmel though the ‘member’ who became Race Programmer and handicapper in Hong Kong, embroiled in resits that day, cut it fine.

You paid to get in by car occupancy and the smallest of us – ‘Murphy’ (face like a spud, reading History and the Form Book) - was always shoved in the boot. He was suffocating and banging away on the boot lid as we crossed the course to park in the centre of the track. We managed to convince the attendant that the noise was “the big ends going”.

We were also sufficiently savvy to wonder what Mr Jones was doing at Cartmel? With his stick stuck down his boot, riding Gay Future to the start like he was Trooping the Colour. And did Gay Future always sweat up like that? The ‘sweat’ was revealed later as suds ‘manufactured’ from a household cleaner: hence the 10-1 starting price.

The Gay Future story has been retold, but not so often these days by somebody who was there. A film was made – ‘Murphy’s Stroke’ starring Pierce Brosnan – with some notable lines:

Donnelly (trainer): “You tried it once before and it didn’t work, why do you want to try it again?”
Murphy: “Precisely because it didn’t work before and I know it can.”
Donnelly: “You’re a millionaire twice over – why do you want to pull a stunt like this for?”
Murphy: “Look the money has nothing to do with it, it’s the pulling it off, that’s the craic.”
Donnelly: “I want nothing to do with it.”
Murphy: “I don’t know what kind of a bloody man you are. Why should you worry about the London bookies? A quarter of a million quid, it’s there for the plucking.”

The loot from the current General Election betting imbroglio wilts in comparison with the fortunes ‘lost’ when most bookmakers declined to pay out on Gay Future. But what about my bets on this election, already in the recycle bin – who’s to blame? I wouldn’t have gone near the seats won spread had I known that an inside information scandal would blow my odds to smithereens. Victimless crime? Pah.

Barney Curley’s stroke at Bellewstown - Yellow Sam apeing Gay Future – came just before the Preston hearing. The Irish bookies paid Curley. Alas poor Murphy, alas poor Gay Future. Bought by flamboyant publicity hunting bookmaker John Banks just before the hearing at Preston, Gay Future broke his neck at Wetherby.

Where Are They Now?

by Frances de Haan

This month owners Tony and Rachel Burbridge have sent a wonderful update on ‘Alfie’! It is so lovely to have a link of our old horses through current owners. Many thanks for sending this update through, I hope you enjoy all the fantastic photos of Alfie still going strong at 23!

Instructor aka ‘Alfie’ enjoying time in the field (right)

‘Instructor, bred at the Cheveley Park Stud, was born in 2001 and raced for Highclere under Richard Hannon. His racing career, (latterly with RF Racing and Clive Mulhall) lasted six years (2003-2007 flat racing and 2008 jumps). He had 6 wins and 9 placings in this time. Instructor was then sold into private ownership and he had two homes in 2009 and 2010 before I bought him in 2013. By this time he was known as Alfie. When I first saw him I was struck immediately by his shining chesnut coat, his strong conformation and his kind eye.

I have owned him now for over 10 years, retiring him just over two years ago. Most private owners dote on their horses and Alfie is no exception. Alfie has always been a gentle, kind horse, who loves affection. We have enjoyed years of riding; low key riding club competition, schooling and hacking. He wouldn't be without his equine companions, Barnaby and Latido and gets very anxious if he thinks they are going anywhere without him! He is an absolute privilege to own, dearly loved and going strong at 23.’ - Rachel Burbridge

Clodagh’s recipe

by Clodagh McKenna Herbert

Ravioli with lemony ricotta

served with buttered broad beans, lemon zest and fresh mint

METHOD:

1. Start by making the pasta dough. On a clean surface pile the flour into a mound. Make a wide well in the centre of the mound, it must be large enough for all the eggs. Crack the eggs into the well, beat the egg mixture with the fork, slowly pulling the flour from the sides of the well until the egg has all been absorbed by the flour. If the dough is still a bit dry, add a drop of olive oil to loosen.

2. Knead the dough by pressing the heel of one hand into the ball, keeping your fingers high. Press down on the dough while pushing it firmly away from you. Continue to knead the dough for 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and silky. Roll the dough into a smooth ball. Wrap the dough in cling film and allow it to rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

3. Sprinkle semolina on the surface, and cut the pasta dough into 6 pieces. Using your hands, shape the dough into a rectangular piece. Set up your pasta machine and push the dough through the rollers 8 times. With each pass through the rollers reduce the setting, until you reach the final setting, so the pasta sheet is nice and thin. Rub the pasta sheets with semolina semolina fand hang over a clean clothes horse, hangers or something similar for 15 minutes.

4. Next get the filling ready. Place the ricotta and lemon zest in a bowl, season with sea salt and whisk together. Place a sheet of the fresh pasta on the semolina dusted surface. Using a teaspoon place a couple of spoons of the ricotta mixture at even intervals along the middle of the pasta sheet, about 3 inches in between each spoonful. Using a pastry brush and water, dampen the pasta around the ricotta filling. Take a second sheet of pasta and carefully lay it over the sheet with the spoons of ricotta, gently pressing down around the mounds of filling and pushing out any air pockets.

5. Using a sharp knife or pastry cutter, trim the pasta into evenly sized squares of ravioli, then lay them out on a tray, dust with semolina. Repeat the process with all the rest of the pasta and filling. When finished cover with cling film and store in the fridge until ready to cook. You can make these up to 3 days in advance or freeze them.

6. When ready to serve, bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Cook the ravioli (in batches if necessary) in the boiling water for about 3 minutes.

7. At the same time place a large pan over a high heat and melt the butter, toss the broad beans in the butter, add the mint and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper – cook for 3 minutes.

8. Transfer the ravioli to the buttered beans with a slotted spoon and toss together. Serve with the zest of lemons.

INGREDIENTS:

Serves 6

For the pasta dough
500g pasta flour
a large pinch of salt
6 medium eggs
semolina flour, for dusting

Olive oil

For the filling

300g ricotta

Zest of 2 lemons

Sea salt

For the with buttered broad beans, lemon zest and fresh mint

100g salted butter

200g podded fresh broad beans