Leaving aside the obvious, there’s plenty going on in December on racecourses in Britain and Ireland, notably the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day and Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival, starting the same day (St Stephen’s Day) continuing until December 29.
I fret as I search for a window of joy to watch the All Creatures Great and Small Christmas Special but make no mistake, somehow I’ll be stoking up the wood burner and heading to Darrowby to check the goings-on in Skeldale House, home of Siegfried Farnon and his veterinary gang. Without intending to sound like a fuddy-duddy (which I am of course) in my honest opinion there’s far too much grim reality on TV these days.
I thought the Cricket World Cup would offer an autumnal escape route but as it turned out, there wasn’t anything much more grisly than England’s puny performance. Instead Darrowby has been my chosen destination for the past month or so, reminding us that even in times of adversity (the latest series is set during WW2) there was the impression of providing more time for community and conversation. Back in the real world, a day at the races offers something resembling that slower world, either just to admire and enjoy horses galloping round a field or staking a few quid on your idea of the winner. We enjoy the sport for innumerable reasons; my joy is the rudimentary one of watching horses and jockeys competing, the thrill of a close finish, backing a winner, what is more compelling or evocative than the roar of the crowd with a backbeat of pounding hooves.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 2023 من Racing Ahead.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 2023 من Racing Ahead.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Tragedy Hits Racing Family - Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters
Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters. I will be far from alone in recent days in being overcome by emotions ranging from utter disbelief to revulsion upon hearing of the unspeakable acts perpetrated upon John Hunt's family, resulting in the death of his wife Carol and daughters, Hannah and Louise.
AUDIENCE IS ERUPTING
John Anthony reveals the latest top speedsters after another Glorious Goodwood
HORSE OF A LIFETIME
Graham Buddry pays fresh tribute to track legend Sea The Stars - surely one of the greatest ever
IT'S TIME TO TAKE STOCK
Paul Jacobs looks forward to seeing some big on-track questions answered
PLAYING TO THE WHISTLE
lan Heitman flies about to keep pace with a rush of two-year-old Flat action
WINNING JOY ON A BUDGET
Richard Eagle takes a trip to Windsor to check out peoples' route into the port of kings
GIFT HORSES AND FRENCH LESSONS
Robert Cooper finds 'retirement' is keeping him busy
FEUD GETS THE PARTY ROLLING
Karl Hedley savours the Galway Festival action and picks out the summer highlights at Ballybrit
ROCKING THE MONEY BAGS
Simon Nott reveals his recent experiences from trips to Brighton and Ascot
FLYING EVE'S BORN TO WIN
Nick Townsend talks to in-form trainer Eve Johnson Houghton