Indeed, one cheery soul gleefully predicted that it wouldn't make its first jumps season - and he was one of my pals!
Maybe if Racing Ahead was ever run as a business by myself and better-half Anne, it would have been an early faller.
But it never was a business, more a labour of love that cost us a fortune to keep afloat in the early years but has flourished into a magazine that has lasted two decades and is still bucking and kicking in the paddock.
I understand why there was such pessimism as, despite being the No2 spectator sport in Britain, racing has never been able to sustain a monthly magazine for very long.
We decided to start Racing Ahead when the excellent Odds On went to the great newsagent in the sky a few months earlier. I am told the exorbitant cost of some new-fangled thing called a website was to blame for it ceasing to exist in print form too.
So we took the plunge and I know there will be many people reading this who bought the first issue back in June 2004 with Kris Kin winning at Chester on the cover.
It's not easy covering racing in a monthly magazine as the sport rolls on day to day and things quickly become out of date. But, by always publishing near the end of the preceding month, we have hopefully struck a good balance of tipping pieces and horses to note along with features and interviews.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 2024-Ausgabe von Racing Ahead.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 2024-Ausgabe von Racing Ahead.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
CAL'S UP TO TOP SPEED
John Anthony keeps close watch on the top ranking track fliers
ACTION REPLAY
Graham Buddry recalls the exploits of legendary hurdler Large Action
SHADOW IN THE LIMELIGHT
lan Heitman follows the fortunes of next year’s leading Classic prospects
GONE WILDE
Rolf Johnson fears the effects of a thoroughbred market bubble’
DIGGING OUT THE JUMPERS
The former Sky Racing frontman is all geared up for the change of codes and clothing
MORE AMO FOR RALPH
Dave Youngman shares the joy and gossip from the Newmarket gallops
GO COSMIC NEXT YEAR
Andy Ayres shares his pick of punting prospects from the autumn action
NICO'S CAREER LEAP TO GLORY
Nick Townsend talks to Nico de Boinville about his life-changing choices
ALL SET FOR FRESH START
Karl Hedley is on the spot for the new season action across Ireland
DAN'S GRAND BID DAWNING
Paul Ferguson tracks a route for Skeltons from Carlisle to Aintree