Berri

Just adding to the story.....part of this is taken from another publication (Racing Post) appended with inside information that allegedly is true... Lester was passed fit to make a sensational return to the saddle at the age of 54. Just 30 miles across the East Midlands from Nottingham where he had bade them farewell with huge celebration five years previously, Piggott had the world's press descending on Leicester where he began his second riding career with three mounts for Henry Cecil on a quiet Monday afternoon in October. There was no immediate return to the winner's enclosure that day. But 24 hours later he was on the mark on Nicholas, getting the better of the 26-year younger Richard Quinn in the aptly-named All-Aged Stakes at Chepstow. And he beat Pat Eddery in landing the following race on Shining Jewel too. He returned to top-level racing with a third place on Surrealist in the Group 1 Dewhurst at Newmarket on the Friday of that first week back. The following Tuesday he returned to the Curragh with four rides for O'Brien. And won on them all. Piggott was ready for the Breeders' Cup. The colt was owned by Classic Thoroughbreds PLC, a syndicate that bought a few horses including Royal Academy for US$3.5m. He was one of the most gorgeous horses you would ever want to see and I have pictures of him that I took at the sales in 1988. I was doing a stint in New York and managed to get down to the sales for a nosey. Classic Thoroughbreds had launched with a fanfare in 1987 but whose fortunes and stock value had waxed and – mainly – waned in the three years since. What a lot of people didn't know was that later Lester allegedly bought into Classic Thoroughbreds on the quiet, because of Royal Academy , on the advice of Vincent, and that set up the real reason for Lester's comeback after getting out of the klink. Yes there are stories of the stable rider breaking a collar bone but the plan was put into action well before this. Jacqueline O'Brien later reported that the jockey was more anxious than she had seen him in the 30 years he had ridden for her husband and said: “Lester felt this was the most important race of his entire life, and Charles and I definitely knew it was the most vital for Vincent, particularly as things were going so badly for Classic Thoroughbreds.” Some in the know say this extreme nervousness was due to the rules of the New York Jockey Club demanded that all owners be fingerprinted – that was no easy task when officials were faced with a list of numerous shareholders – so he raced officially for "the Classic Thoroughbred partnership" at Belmont Park. Just imagine coming out of jail for tax evasion, having an alleged yet unofficial ownership interest in Royal Academy that allegedly wasn't declared, racing in one of the biggest comeback programs of all time. The fairy tale soon became a tale.

Many short comings over a spread of very important legacy decisions managed by a group of unspecialised people who were appointed by a group of people who didn't have the knowledge or expertise to know what they need or how to administer it

That would seem to suggest that its OK to be useless....

That was Royal Academy in the Breeders Cup Mile. Been sent to jail, got outside at 54 and decided to go racing again. Two weeks later wins the Breeders Cup

The best of all time

Head of Greyhounds....appointed an investment into Manawatu Track to change the stalls....used tax payers money to make it safer....then changes the starting stalls back to their unsafe position....makes sense...obviously

It's happened twice so far. I've seen video clips on this filly and each time I hear a noise as she gallops with her galloping mate. Think it might be the mate but you can't quite peg it https://www.racingpost.com/news/members/latest/newmarket-has-the-bunting-out-as-epsom-countdown-commences/558969

Entertainment https://www.racingpost.com/bloodstock/members/interviews/i-never-thought-it-was-possible-the-sales-snip-who-became-an-oaks-favourite/557199

Update https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/charlie-appleby-confirms-nations-pride-to-be-supplemented-for-the-cazoo-derby/558722

If there are less horses, there are less people involved. If there are less mares being bought, there are less horses in three to five years. If the horses that are being bought are of lesser ability, the number of horses racing in black type races decreases and the ratings of the black type races can't sustain their status. If we lose the status on many black type races, we lose relevance and external interest. If that happens, betting decreases (same as horse numbers), which squeezes the market. We do that we get less owners, therefore less horses therefore less people involved, therefore less stable hands and trackwork riders. These recent revelations are simply that being played out. No-one is panicking. That's the travesty.

And this is one of the reasons why... What everyone in power has ignored is the replenishment of our breeding stock. Whereas the Australian government has supported and enhanced the racing and breeding industries in Australia, which has this week seen unprecedented value gains in terms of the value of broodmares, we continue to languish hopelessly and pathetically. We wonder why in 3-5 years the status of our black type races will have been banished to the boon docks with everyone crying in their milk, by which time it will be too late. It's a simple as this... The average of the sale was $228,311, with a medium of $140,000. The mares bought for NZ averaged $136,000 with a medium of $94,000 So we bought 2.97% of the mares (our requirement should be at least equivalent to 4.46% because that is the number of NZ horses racing in Australia), we should at least be better than the average price to keep pace with the average type of horse racing in Australia, and our medium price should at least be as good as the average price because we should be trying to improve our stock. Instead, we are slowly going down the gurgler with the effects of this sale being felt in 3-5 years time. What a mess and no-one is panicking. Don't you all see this? I'm not wrong as this stuff is so basic and its embarrassing to think that there are groups of people who are meant to be looking after all of our interests, who are not panicking...not becoming vocal...and not reaching out in a manner conducive to give one confidence that actually anything is being done, let alone progressing!!!

Sign of the times with worse to come.

Alan Sharrock.

just going through the paces at the moment. When I know I'll let you know

Thought I'd supply the race for y'all to look at. One thing I was very impressed with....watch Buick change whip from one side to another on a number of occasions seamlessly in order to direct the horse correctly. This could be his undoing at Epsom but then again Newmarket can be tricky for some horses. The reason why I flagged this outsider is that he has been quietly training in the Epsom environment and apparently is handing the ground like a toff. https://www.racingtv.com/racecards/newmarket/387579-best-odds-on-the-betfair-exchange-newmarket-stakes-listed-1?sort=price&non-runner_display=false

Just giving an update for interest's sake https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/enable-talk-silly-but-emily-upjohn-in-taghrooda-class-gosden-on-oaks-fancy/557989 The Derby is coming up shortly. Quite like a bloke called Nations Pride (Teofilo). He's not currently in the Derby but his 7 lengths win in the Newmarket Stakes was pretty impressive. He's a very nice type, quite neat and tight so definitely one for the longer odds. They would have to make a late payment to get in

Forgot to make the attachment

Jump out at Hawera today....2yo by Tavistock out of a Hussonet daughter of Sunline. On the outside and ran 2nd Called Sun And Heir

https://www.racingpost.com/news/international/watch-white-filly-sodashi-leaves-crowd-in-raptures-with-victoria-mile-win/556425

Nashwa is also smart but I don't know enough about her to make a call. Her Newbury race where she raced against nothing of much note was impressive. The only observation I'd make is that she seemed to want to drift left a bit which you don't want at Epsom as the camber amplifies this. Smart filly though. I'd like to own her.

Pace of the races were completely different with alternative days having slightly different track surfaces. I know what you mean re stride, but that is not what the data is telling us. She's probably top class but as we all know Epsom's camber and run in from the corner throws the gauntlet onto the ground. She was only a novice winner when I called her out to watch her. The rest is up to the lap of the gods. Referring to Dunfermline is showing our age although when she raced Northern dancer was still a seed in most horse's genetics. Things have changed since then.

Come on Stodgie...that's a weird approach to P4P. My second home is the UK and I've been immersed in UK racing since the early 1980's. I architected the Racing Post site in the 90's as part of my journey up there over the years. Franking form using the web was something I invented. Much to my disappointment, I originally offered this to the NZ racing industry in 1993 but they weren't interested as they "didn't think their customers would embrace the internet for betting". I like to throw the odd horse out (publicly, so no where to hide) before it becomes a good horse for fun. Can't have black type form before the call. My list includes Frankel (monitored) before he raced, Camelot, Snow Fairy (monitored her for two years), Authorised (monitored), Shamardal and Long Run (monitored) for a bit of fun in the jumping World. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but it's fun trying to predict it. This latest filly is very smart and judging from your response post to my initial post you weren't sure she was up to group one class (I did otherwise I wouldn't have labelled it). Put one up on the slab and we'll see how well you know the UK form. It's not a matter of reporting it, but more predicting it. P4P...one obscure track I would add for fun would be Chester. An interesting type of horse comes post racing successfully there...ingenuine horses get their acts together there...probably something to do with the turning track nature of it. As we are international, you have to include a few of the Irish tracks and the Frogs would throw the odd one into the mix.

Sure....what for?

P4P...she's got the data of an extremely good horse. We first monitored her in February and put her on the list. She improved a lot leading up to the Novice race at Sandown. Nothing to suggest she minds a good track. We all know what Epsom is like, but although a big powerful filly, she's seriously well balanced

https://www.racingpost.com/news/race-reports/impressive-emily-upjohn-5-4-favourite-for-the-oaks-after-easy-musidora-win/555504