Advent Calendar #17 – 1991 Welsh Grand National
The 1991 Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on Saturday 21 December 1991 was run in attritional winter ground and demanded stamina above all else. It produced a commanding winner…
Advent Calendar #16 – 1989 Victor Chandler Chase
The 1989 Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot showcased Desert Orchid at his electrifying, untouchable best. Already a folk hero for his white-grey flamboyance and fearless jumping, “Dessie” had spent most…
Advent Calendar #15 – 1977 Derby
The 1977 Derby Stakes at Epsom delivered a gripping, almost chaotic renewal that crowned The Minstrel as a colt of outstanding courage. Trained by Vincent O’Brien and ridden by Lester…
Advent Calendar #14 – 1973 Grand National
The 1973 Grand National is remembered not just as a great race, but as a defining moment in the legend of Red Rum. Trained by Ginger McCain, the bay gelding…
Advent Calendar #13 – 1993 Cheltenham Gold Cup
The 1993 Cheltenham Gold Cup produced a hugely popular winner in Jodami, the big, powerful chaser trained in the north by Peter Beaumont at his tiny North Yorkshire yard. A…
Advent Calendar #11 – 1984 2000 Guineas
The 1984 2000 Guineas produced a classic in every sense when El Gran Senor announced himself as a superstar with a performance of rare elegance and authority. Trained by Vincent…
Advent Calendar #10 – 1994 Champion Chase
The 1994 Queen Mother Champion Chase showcased the explosive brilliance of Viking Flagship, a horse whose raw pace, aggression and iron will made him one of the outstanding chasers of…
Advent Calendar #9 – 1975 King George and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes
The 1975 King George & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes is widely remembered as the race of the century, a titanic duel between two outstanding middle-distance horses: Grundy, the brilliant Derby…
Advent Calendar #8 – 1985 Derby
Slip Anchor produced one of the most devastating Epsom Derby performances of the modern era when he stormed to victory in 1985. Trained by Sir Henry Cecil for Lord Howard…
Advent Calendar #7 – 1983 Grand National
The 1983 Grand National delivered one of Aintree’s great milestones when Corbiere, trained by Jenny Pitman, powered through the rain and mud to give the race its first winning female…
Advent Calendar #6 – 1984 Champion Chase
Badsworth Boy stands alone in Champion Chase history. Trained by Michael Dickinson and later his mother Monica, the fiery chestnut possessed blistering speed, accuracy at his fences, and a competitive…
Advent Calendar #6 – 1997 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup
Suny Bay was a grey of immense stamina and heart, trained by Charlie Brooks and best remembered for his mighty weight-carrying performances in top staying handicaps. His breakthrough moment came…
Advent Calendar #5 – 2004 Scottish Grand National
Grey Abbey was one of the most popular northern chasers of his era, a relentless front-runner trained by Howard Johnson and adored for his bold, attacking style. Tough, uncomplicated and…
Advent Calendar #4 – 1996 Champion Hurdle
Collier Bay was one of the great transformation stories of 1990s National Hunt racing. Originally a modest Flat performer, he was revitalised under the care of Jim Old, developing into…
Advent Calendar #3 – 1997 Nunthorpe Stakes
My choice today is slightly biased, as Alex was an old schoolfriend and neighbour of mine in the dim and distant past. The 1997 Nunthorpe Stakes at York produced one…
Advent Calendar #2 1989 Champion Hurdle
Beech Road was one of the most unlikely Champion Hurdle winners of the modern era, a tough, late-maturing hurdler who rose rapidly through the ranks for trainer Toby Balding. Initially…
Advent Calendar #1 – 1995 John Hughes Memorial Trophy
Up to 24 December I’ll be concentrating on my favourite races of all-time in the form of an advent calendar. I hope you enjoy it. Dublin Flyer was one of…
Mirror Racing – Friday 30 November 1984
Daily Mirror Racing on Friday 30 November 1984 featured cards from Sandown, Leicester and Sedgefield, and Tim Richards reported on a dispute between a punter and the big bookmakers. Download…
Daily Mirror – Saturday 29 November 1980
Three excellent cards at Sandown, Chepstow, Market Rasen and Sedgefield provided a great day’s racing in the Daily Mirror of Saturday 29 November 1980. Download QR
Mirror Racing – Thursday 28 November 1974
Daily Mirror racing on Thursday 28 November 1974, and Red Rum is in the news. The racing that day was at Haydock, with Towcester and Wincanton also in action. Download…