Telephone Numbers!

Another day with no jumps meetings so today we have four flat cards from Leicester, Catterick, Brighton and Newcastle.  Brighton get the wooden spoon today with just £31,000 in prize money up for grabs across their seven race card.  In one of those races you would pick up a miserly £192.40 for finishing fourth and unless your horse was stabled next door to the racecourse, it wouldn't even cover your expenses never mind buy you a round of drinks at the bar!

I was interested to read the quote from champion flat jockey elect Sylvestre de Sousa when he said, "I do my homework on my rides and what I don't like is when trainers try to give me orders".  I am not sure how he would have got on with Martin when he had his licence!  So, when he gets things wrong, does that mean that the trainers can have a go at him?!

There was a long journey for jockey Daniel Tudhope when he arrived at Heathrow at 6.30am on Saturday morning to fly off to compete in the $1million Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland before heading back to ride Pioneering to a hat-trick in the mile handicap at Pontefract.  I wonder if he suffered from jet lag and if he noticed much difference between Keeneland and Pontefract?

Where do people find the money from to buy these horses?  The Tattersalls three day sale for yearlings has just reached it's conclusion and we are talking telephone numbers with over £102,000,000 in turnover with the powerhouses of Darly and Coolmoore often locked in battle.  If you ever go to one of these sales, do not scratch your nose!

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It was a bad night for Wales as they lost 1-0 to the Republic of Ireland meaning that they failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years.  Meanwhile Oliver Girouds scorpion kick goal is on the FIFA Puskas Award shortlist for the world's best goal.  It was a wonder goal and I do not say that lightly about an Arsenal player!

I have to say, I agree with Gary Player when he said that he was saddened to see St Andrews brought to her knees by equipment.  The clubs are so good these days that the players can just hit the ball further and further.  Even at my local course Churston, most of the bunkers no longer come into play as players are able to hit the ball straight over the top of them.

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I hooked the world's biggest fish last night...I'm still reeling!

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