THERE’S always a little calm in the season after Goodwood and before the Doncaster St Leger meeting – but Good Bad Ugly never sleeps!
So who or what has made it into my latest column? Let’s find out…
GOOD
You don’t have to be a genius to guess two jockeys dominate here in Jim Crowley and Hollie Doyle.
Jim banged in his 2000th success at Goodwood Saturday and I stayed on off ITV had come off air to watch the feat.
Crowley truly has had a remarkable career to have gone from winning a Lanzarote Hurdle on Crossbow Creek to riding the likes of Here Comes When, Prohibit, Mohaather and Battaash to Group 1 glory.
Even more incredible is to go from being a journeyman jumps jockey – sorry Jim – to being retained by one of the most powerful Flat owners in Hamdan al Maktoum.
Most of the time he’s pretty cool with the likes of me as well! Fair play.
Doyle has had a terrific few days kicked off with that now history making five-timer at Windsor. The one Windsor meeting I’m not there!
For someone so small, Doyle is terrifically strong and on top of that tactically astute.
She is on a great run because horses go for her. As a jockey that’s the most precious commodity. A true talent.
BAD
Bad news for those owners, trainers and jockeys at Newton Abbott tomorrow – I’m coming!
For the first time for many years I will be at one of may favourite courses covering eight fabulous events for Sky Sports Racing.
I remember back in the day watching the races at the Abbott from Martin Pipe’s box, from which you got a perfect view and could see the late old man Pipe at his bookmaking pitch below.
Newton Abbott is going through tough times and I love this little course. I can’t wait to get back there.
UGLY
Wow has it gone crazy and ugly at the Jockey Club, with the departure of Delia Bushell as the supreme commander after an independent barrister upheld allegations centred around the bullying of colleagues, the use of racist comments and sharing offensive material.
Having held one of British racing’s most powerful positions for less than a year, Bushell has left the sport following a determination by a trio of the Jockey Club’s leading figures that there were grounds for disciplinary action due to “gross misconduct”.
We probably will never know the full story here, but at a time when the sport needs to unite more than ever this is a sorry mess of utter carnage.
Oh racing. I love you so and you can be glorious and exciting. But like me you are often your own worst enemy!
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/palace-pier-clash-next-up-in-qeii-for-kameko-as-connections-eye-mile-showpiece-on-qipco-champions-day-at-ascot
