A look at the highs and lows of British racing in 2012.
HIGHS
Frankel:
Hyperbole was exhausted long ago in assessing the greatness of the Sir Henry Cecil-trained colt. Whether he is the best ever will always be a matter of conjecture, but it is a moot point. What this magnificent beast did for Flat racing is of far greater significance than tiresome counterfactual history lessons. A natural-born wonder.
Camelot:
The Coolmore colt provided a neatly constructed narrative in the early throes of summer. Victories in the 2000 Guineas and the Epsom and Irish Derby paved the way for a sporting assault at the Triple Crown in the St Leger. Camelot finished second at Doncaster, after which he disappointed in the Arc, but next season he gets another chance to remind everyone just how good he is.
Richard Hughes:
Hughes’ battle with the scales will always be fraught, which makes his achievements this year even more meritorious. The sangfroid rider won the jockeys’ championship at a virtual canter, with three Group One victories adding a touch of Hollywood to proceedings. Hughes’ unquestionable highlight, though, came at Windsor in October when he rode seven winners from eight rides.
Sprinter Sacre:
Lightning quick yet strong and safe, any lingering doubts about Nicky Henderson’s six-year-old were dramatically erased at Sandown on his reappearance. Last season’s Arkle winner preserved his unbeaten record over fences with a performance of true excellence in the Tingle Creek. Greatness surely beckons in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March.
Flemenstar:
Trainer Peter Casey became an overnight YouTube hit following his expletive-laden celebrations at Leopardstown in January, but the Flemenstar odyssey runs far deeper than internet novelty. The seven-year-old gelding is now prominent in pre-post Gold Cup markets following an outrageous winning streak which culminated in a ruthless dismissal of Sir Des Champs at Punchestown in December.
LOWS
Campbell Gillies:
The young Scottish rider died in a swimming pool accident just four hours after arriving in Greece for a holiday to celebrate his 22nd birthday in June. Gillies had looked destined for big things this season, having been victorious aboard Brindisi Breeze at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Frankie Dettori:
The Italian jockey’s six-month ban is a crushing blow to British horseracing. Dettori has served proudly and admirably as the singular ambassador of the Flat, but is unlikely to ever be treated with quite the same reverence by the public at large after testing positive for a prohibited substance. The competitive appetite of a fabulously wealthy man will only be ascertained when he returns.
Kauto Star:
Even though the sense of inevitability was palpable, his retirement in October still felt like a shock to the system. It will be most unusual not to see that big white face bristle with competitive gusto, but a new career in dressage will hopefully evoke memories of his halcyon past. Whatever the outcome, he will never be forgotten.
Grand National:
The old guard will argue otherwise, but the National’s sustainability hinges on the preservation of equine health and welfare like never before. Two more casualties in April’s renewal, including the death of Gold Cup winner Synchronised, provided further vitriol for those factions outside of racing adamant the race is nothing more than an exercise in animal cruelty.
Racecourse closures:
Racing from Hereford and Folkestone seldom quickened pulses but the closure of the two tracks in December is a painful reminder of the age in which we live. Local courses generate warmth and camaraderie quite unlike the Cheltenhams and Ascots of this world, but that point was sadly missed by the money men who are held accountable for this collective act of ruthlessness.
