Just on the off-chance, I delved into my well-thumbed tower of vintage Racing Aheads to check that I didn't set off on the same foot today as I had last September - not that you'd necessarily notice, and anyway even if you did, it can be rather comforting to revisit old haunts.
Last year I reflected on silly-season August, dominated by the Racing League, Shergar Cup and cricketing novelty The Hundred. This time round the Women's World Cup football has proved a welcome distraction, and I loved what I saw especially when they whacked the Matildas for six (well 3-1) and valiantly lost in the final - not quite good enough for an open top bus and a bank holiday, but close.
Now we are cast into the Keats-inspired 'season of mists and mellow fruitfulness' September promises to be a golden month for racing. But to re-invite the Scottish bard Robert Burns to the ceilidh, 'the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.' I quoted those famous words of 'Wee Rabbie' in the now 'collectors only' October 2021 issue of Racing Ahead. They were pertinent at the time in connection to the magnificent Baaeed, also the rapidly emerging tennis queen Emma Raducanu in the aftermath of winning the US Open as a 'wild card' entry; at the time both looked invincible, but as we have witnessed in sporting history those final few steps to the mountain peak can be the ones when you falter; only the true greats make it to the top.
The two horses I am most looking forward to seeing this month, one far closer to stardom than the other, are SHAQUILLE and BUCANERO FUERTE.
Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
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Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
LOOKING BRIGHT FOR IRISH STARS
Karl Hedley reports as jumps challengers pile on the heat across the water
WELL SET TO STEP AHEAD
Ben Morgan has ten warming prospects to follow in the coming weeks
CUE FOR MANY A CELEBRATION
Graham Buddry recalls the life and times of jumps legend Cue Card
KID KAN DOO FOR NICHOLLS
Paul Jacobs casts a close eye over leading picks for this month's big races
TWISTER RUNS MASTER CLASS
John Anthony watches Nigel Twiston-Davies' star catch time judges' eye
NO LEAVES ON LINE TO SLOW THESE FLYERS
Simon Nott enjoys a West Country Weekend catching up with ring pals
EXPECTATIONS SOAR AT RIDGE
Nick Townsend talks to rising Newmarket training star James Owen
KID KAN DOO FOR NICHOLLS
Paul Jacobs casts a close eye over leading picks for this month's big races
NORMA'S COLOURS ARE FLYING PROUD
Robert Cooper sees Percy Willis and Kaadam grace white and green spots and red cap
CHIANTI FLOWS AS NEW LION GROWLS
Prior to the National Hunt season 'proper' getting underway at Chepstow the question on many people's lips was whether or not Willie Mullins would target a second consecutive British trainers' title.
