That, in the dim distant past, somebody looked across the top of the Sussex Downs at Goodwood. And thought to themselves, "this would be some place for a Racecourse".....
"Some place for a Racecourse" this place most certainly is. From the top of the stands, looking north across rolling downland, there is not a house or power line in sight. Unspoilt. Timeless. At it's very best at the beginning of August, the harvest in full swing in the valleys below....
And away south, the view across the spire of Chichester Cathedral. To the south coast, and beyond to the Isle of Wight....
A week atop the Downs that has been a huge part of my life. I have not missed a "Glorious" meeting since I was a teenager. The dim, distant past....
Runners aplenty last week. No winners, no cigar. But several creditable runs. And with normal luck in the run, Jacks Revenge would have supplemented his July Meeting victory. Third. A very fast finishing third. Beaten two necks. A horse who remains on an upward curve. Not far off being good enough to head to Dubai. A horse who was trundling around in sellers last Autumn. Thank God he was never claimed.....
Nenge Mboko, Sutton Sid and Red Four running respectably in their maidens. All will be winning....
Jakes Destiny a closing 6th. Time for a step up in trip. George Baker and Edie Campbell a close 4th in the Ladies Charity Race. Not quite following up last year's victory. But a decent effort from the pair of them...
Friday. Belgian Bill and Johnny Murtagh drawn wide in the Betfred Mile. Which would have cost him at least the 4 lengths he was beaten by. Johnny loved the horse. And said that there is definitely a "big one" in him. Bill deserves that. Back to Turkey at the end of the month....
Hughesie on Humidor. For the first time. Held up out the back. But then slicing through the field. A remarkable final furlong burst carrying him to 6th, not beaten at all far. A Group 2. Now for The Nunthorpe. A Group 1. A huge ask. But who knows ? And then the Abbaye.....
Place In My Heart our only real disappointment. Pulling off a front and hind shoe when crossed and barged when coming out of the stalls. Ryan Moore never happy. At least we have a reason. And she will be back....
Away from Goodwood. Billyrayvalentine has taken a long time to come to hand. Getting there. Especially with some sun on his back. He hated the wet weather. As did we all. 4th at Epsom not a run that will pull up any trees. But a small step back in the right direction....
A week of compelling action. Hard luck stories. As ever. But performances to savour. And one hell of a week for Mark Johnston. His horses so often ridden up with the pace. Out of trouble. "Out of trouble" works at Goodwood......
A quieter week this week on the runner front. Great to be making plans for some of the bigger meetings. On a regular basis. Much of the season gone already on sodden ground under leaden skies. But plenty still to come. York, Istanbul, Doncaster, Newmarket, Ascot, Longchamps. I hope that we can play on all those fields....
