Yet more sunshine here in Newmarket and all the horses and riders seem to be thriving in the recent sunshine although one or two of the riders are paying the price for not wearing any sun cream and there are a few red faces around La Grange. The horses had an easier morning today after many worked on the Limekilns yesterday.
We have one runner today in the last at Beverley, Chestnut Storm runs in the 5:30 1m4f handicap. Her run at Bath on her handicap debut was disappointing but she lost her early good position as her rider settled her and she got isolated, didn’t handle the bend and then ran on well in the closing stages. It looks a very open handicap and I am hoping she has an each way chance.
I am attending a pre Ascot dinner at The Jockey Club Rooms tonight where many of the International contingent will be present. It is always an informative evening and is a lot of fun as well. I heard from Martin Talty today that he has moved from Dubai to take up a position with the Victoria Racing Club as Senior Racing Strategy and Development Manager. Interestingly the ten furlongs Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes has been pushed back to the last day of the Melbourne Cup meeting to enable Cox Plate runners more time between the two races and it will now be called the Emirates Stakes with prize money doubled to Aus$2m.
Everything is on track for the classy South African mare Same Jurisdiction to join us at the end of June, all being well she will head for these shores on the 27th of June once she has finished her quarantine period. We are all very excited as she has proved herself at Group One level in South Africa and we hope she will be competitive in some big races in Europe and further afield.
For anyone looking for an in depth analysis of all the football teams at the European Championships, the Guardian have provided a thorough guide that can be accessed on this link. http://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2016/jun/01/euro-2016-the-complete-guide-to-every-squad-and-every-player-in-france. The appointment of Ed Chamberlain as the main host of ITV racing looks sensible in that there has been a big decline in viewing figures in recent times and his popularity amongst football fans could help draw in a new audience to our sport.