Daily Mirror – Wednesday 15 January 1986
Windsor and Market Rasen on Wednesday 15 January 1986, and a future Gold Cup winner in action. Download QR
Racing Mirror – Thursday 14 January 1988
The John Bull Chase at Wincanton attracted a small, but select, field on Thursday 14 January 1988. Southwell was the second meeting on the day. Download QR
Racing Mirror – Tuesday 13 January 1981
Wetherby and Leicester cards in the Mirror on Tuesday 13 January 1981. Download QR
Racing Mirror – Monday 12 January 1976
A couple of fairly low grade cards on Monday 12 January 1976 from Windsor and Leicester – the latter though is of interest, with a future top chaser in the…
Daily Mirror – Friday 11 January 1991
Ascot, Edinburgh and Wetherby jumpers on Friday 11 January 1991, with AW action at Southwell to complete the programme. Download QR
Daily Mirror – Saturday 10 January 1987
With the abandonment of Haydock and Warwick, Sandown was the only hope of racing on Saturday 10 January 1987. The Ladbroke Hurdle card at Leopardstown was the only other option…
Racing Mirror – Wednesday 8 January 1975
Doncaster was the only meeting on Wednesday 8 January 1975. Download QR
Racing Mirror – Saturday 7 January 1978
Small fields at Sandown on Saturday 7 January 1978 were compensated for by competitive cards at Haydock and Market Rasen. Download QR
Racing Mirror – Friday 6 January 1984
Some grand old names in action at Haydock on Friday 6 January 1984. Hereford was the second meeting of the day. Download QR
Racing Mirror – Saturday 5 January 1980
An excellent card at Sandown on Mildmay-Cazalet Chase day. Haydock were confident of passing a morning inspection, while Market Rasen was the third meeting on Saturday 5 January 1980. Download…
Daily Mirror Racing – Wednesday 4 January 1978
Today we go back to the Daily Mirror of Wednesday 4 January 1978 to see what was happening at Doncaster, Ayr and Lingfield. Download QR
Racing Mirror – Monday 3 January 1983
Cheltenham’s long lost four-mile New Year Handicap Chase took centre stage on Monday 3 January 1983. The other meetings were at Leicester, Windsor, Ayr and Sedgefield. Download QR
Advent Calendar #24 – 1981 Grand National
My advent countdown of the favourite races of my life reaches the end with possibly the greatest story of all. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy…
Merry Christmas – Sea Pigeon 1981 Champion Hurdle
Here’s a bonus race, simply because I couldn’t decide what the last advent calendar post should be. You can choose from this and tomorrow’s option. The 1981 Champion Hurdle confirmed…
Advent Calendar #23 – 1986 King George VI Chase
The 1986 King George VI Chase at Kempton marked the moment Desert Orchid truly announced himself as a champion of the highest class. Already adored for his flamboyant white-grey appearance…
John Francome: King George Memories
This interview is taken from the Injured Jockeys Fund newsletter for December 2025. Since it was moved to Boxing Day in 1947, the King George VI Chase has been the…
Advent Calendar #21 – 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup
The 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup remains one of the most extraordinary and poignant chapters in National Hunt history, remembered forever as “Dickinson’s Famous Five.” Trained by the meticulous and visionary…
Advent Calendar #20 – 1984 Whitbread Gold Cup
The 1984 Whitbread Gold Cup at Sandown produced one of the most dramatic finishes in steeplechase history, won with immense courage by Special Cargo. Trained by the legendary Fulke Walwyn,…
Advent Calendar #19 – 1977 Grand National
The 1977 Grand National marked the crowning moment of Red Rum’s extraordinary career, as the veteran chaser became the only three-time winner of Aintree’s greatest race. Trained by Ginger McCain…
Advent Calendar #18 – 1977 Templegate Hurdle
The 1977 Templegate Hurdle at Aintree produced one of the most memorable finishes ever seen over timber when Monksfield and Night Nurse couldn’t be separated in a dramatic dead heat.…