Racing returns to the West Country in earnest on Friday with action at Exeter and Wincanton on Saturday, followed by Taunton next Thursday, an eagerly anticipated return for local fans.
It’s been a tricky build-up thanks to the well-documented lack of rain. Yes, we’ve had plenty of rain lately, but after such a prolonged dry spell, it will take time for the water table to recover.
In recent weeks, racing enthusiasts have enjoyed top-class action across the globe. Ascot and Wetherby flew the flag for British racing, Down Royal showcased Irish excellence, while the Breeders’ Cup in America and the Melbourne Cup in Australia added their usual international sparkle.
Although runners were fairly thin on the ground at home, there were some fine performances. Alexei stormed to victory in the feature hurdle at Ascot for Team Tizzard and Brocade Racing, the colours once carried by Gold Cup hero Native River proving as successful as ever.
At Wetherby, Golden Ace made her seasonal debut but disappointed; it later emerged she was suffering from a lung infection, so that run can be forgiven. One of the rides of the weekend came from Sean Bowen on Strong Leader, if you haven’t seen it, grab a coffee (or something stronger) and enjoy it. Bowen is riding at the top of his game and is a joy to watch.
Across the Irish Sea, the evergreen Envoi Allen, now twelve, thrilled fans by winning his third Champion Chase at Down Royal, extending his tally to ten Grade 1 victories, National Hunt racing at its finest.
Then came the glitz of the Breeders’ Cup, where Irish master trainer Willie Mullins made headlines by saddling Ethical Diamond in the Breeders’ Cup Turf — a flat race rather than his usual jumps domain. Sent off at 25/1, the horse charged home under an inspired ride from Dylan Browne McMonagle to snatch the £2 million prize. Mullins’ versatility knows no bounds, perhaps Trainer's championships in Ireland, Britain and America next? (I jest)
Attention then turned to the Melbourne Cup, where connections of Ethical Diamond chased a historic double with Absurde. It wasn’t to be, but the horse ran bravely to finish eighth, collecting £80,000 in prize money, a remarkable few days of global racing - time to breathe !
Back on home soil, Taunton’s six-race card gets underway at 1:07 p.m. on Thursday 13th November. Early bird discounted tickets are available at www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk.
The courtesy coach service departs from Platform 5, Taunton Railway Station, 90 minutes before the first race and returns around half an hour after the final race begins.
Plenty of stories are sure to unfold over the coming week, and I, for one, can’t wait.
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