Apple’s Jade, Death Duty and Mengli Khan – the three winners trained by Gordon Elliot securing a clean-sweep of the Grade 1 races at the Fairyhouse winter fixture, the first time all three races have been won by the same trainer
“Well done Dad, you haven’t had a winner for ages” – jockey Tom Bellamy recalling, as a six-year-old, what he said to his father Robert who had just won on his final ride before retirement, as quoted in the Racing Post’s Q&A feature
Toast of New York pops up at Lingfield
A typically modest Aiden O’Brien responding to his HRI Contribution to the Industry award: “Our operation is a big chain and I am privileged to be a link in it”
Spelthorne Borough Council publishing an independent report classifying the Kempton Park site as “strong”, as opposed to “weak” and “moderate”, in relation to criteria for green-belt land classification, a factor taken into account in the planning permission process and helpful for those opposed to the closure of the track for housing development
Racing returning to Hereford, after two abandonments due to hard ground, where the average field was 10 runners per race and nearly 1,400 came through the turnstiles
Andrew Thornton riding his first winner since he suffered a serious knee injury on Boxing Day, taking his career tally to 1,001
Cheltenham Borough Council seeking to use anti-social behaviour laws to prevent ticket touts operating at Prestbury Park at the Showcase and Festival meetings
The Racing Post Christmas Jumper received and it’s still the same size as last year – er, extra large
“I’ve had a good old innings” – jockey Steve Drowne on his upcoming retirement from the saddle
Trainers Iain Jardine and Archie Watson both getting to 50 winners for the first time, achieved on the same day at Southwell – also on the same day Mark Walsh trained four winners for the first time at Limerick
The monthly Thoroughbred Owner and Breeder magazine completing a design revamp to give it a fresh new-look
The Horserace Bettors Forum, with the support of the BHA, publishing a ten-point Betting Charter to define and recognise good practise in the betting environment, including the closure of accounts, restricted bets and clear, concise terms and conditions
Luke Harvey proving to be a popular winner of the Broadcaster of the Year at the Horserace Writers and Photographers Association annual Derby Awards
STEWARDS ROOM
Newcastle receiving less funding from the Levy Board resulting in prize money for the Fighting Fifth meeting dropping £36,000 compared to last year
Richard Hannon being fined £8,000 for a fourth positive test for banned substance tramadol in a two-year period when the painkiller was found in a urine sample from De Bruyne Horse – and Hayley Turner charged with having a betting account, opened when she announced her retirement from the saddle, whilst still holding her jockeys license and coming back out of retirement
Shock 40-1 winner at Newbury, Beer Goggles, only paying £18.40 on the Tote
“Can I tell you something?” – Trainer David Evans quoted in a transcript of a conversation with Ladbrokes when he placed a bet on one of this runners and telling the bookmaker that his other entry would be a non-runner
The Gambling Commission reporting the closure of 342 betting shops in the six months March to September, a decline of nearly 4% compared to 1% for the previous six-month period
The Tingle Creek at Sandown and the Becher Chase at Aintree failing to make the main ITV channel this Saturday – racing can’t have it all but it’s a shame the meetings aren’t getting optimum exposure to follow on from recent big Saturday fixtures to build momentum
