Friday 1st November, 2024 – Richard Phillips Racing

We determined to offer Huntingdon a miss with Elfride on Sunday and she is going to hopefully go to Chepstow subsequent Wednesday the place situations will swimsuit her higher ought to she get a run.  She seems in good type at residence and with the proper situations she is going to undoubtedly win once more off her mark this season.

It was a irritating time at Newmarket gross sales this week with potential purchases both failing the vet or being outbid, nevertheless the search will go on to construct up the staff for the approaching season.

We took some horses away for a gallop this morning to offer them extra expertise and a change of surroundings.  Sit up for getting a couple of out on the course within the coming weeks.

Very unhappy information of the dying of our nice pal Alastair Down.  It seems to have been written within the stars that final Friday his household, pals, colleagues and admirers all converged at his favorite racecourse to rejoice the naming of the press room in his honour.

Alastair Down was undoubtedly a star, a fallen one at instances along with his many complexities and sensitivities that include the territory of a wild genius.  Undoubtedly he was probably the most influential racing author of his time and crafted the written phrase like no different.  He tailored his extraordinary character to the television display screen because of Channel 4 Racing, the place his measured tones have been as distinctive as his fellow legendary journalists Sir Peter O’Sullevan and Hugh McIlvanney.

Alastair’s craft was pushed from a pure love, ardour, appreciation and sensitivity to the game he adored.  It’s ironic that it’s All Saints day right now and by his personal admission he was no saint – timekeeping being one among his many faults.  Nonetheless he was an amazing pal to many because of his generosity, enthusiasm, intelligence, and sense of enjoyable.

I used to be fortunate sufficient to know him effectively and we had many nice instances collectively.   Considered one of my favourites was the day we backed Torquator Tasso at 100-1 because of my in-depth research of the race the earlier night.  Alastair’s pleasure at defeating his on-line bookmaker was each intense and entertaining.

Together with different pals we had dinner collectively final Friday night following his lengthy day at Cheltenham the place he had soaked up a lot reward and fondness.  I texted him the following day to thank him for sponsoring my supper and mentioned I hoped he loved his day and identified that he was a lot cherished. His reply was “It couldn’t have gone any higher, marvellous for the soul and stunning for the ego! A special day.”

A special day it was and for a really particular man.  Relaxation in peace my pal.