SANDRACER.COM ~ ALL WEATHER RACING BLOG

The Hawkstonian, a six-year-old grey gelding, aptly named after Clarkson's beer, galloped to victory in the 13:50 Novices' Hurdle at Ffos Las in Wales on Friday....

Willie Mullins is responsible for eight of the 13 runners declared for tomorrow's Irish Gold Cup (3.30 Leopardstown); the going on the chase track is is currently described as soft to heavy - the card is subject to an inspection tomorrow morning, with heavy rain forecast overnight. Favourite Galopin Des Champs...

Having nailed the meaning of life, God, love, politics, the Universe and everything, it’s time to get to the point of this blog......

It's a huge weekend of acton at the east coast track as Prestbury Park hopefuls step up their Festival bid...

I’m Divya Gurnay, a Level 3 student at The National Stud. Although my professional life began in a different direction — with masters’ degrees in Law and Mass Communication leading to a successful period in legal practice. Horses have been a constant influence since childhood. My father, a former army...

The Racing Foundation has today announced that it has surpassed £40million in charitable giving since its establishment in 2012, a milestone that reflects more than a decade of sustained support for the horseracing and Thoroughbred breeding industries. Set up with an endowment from the government’s sale of the Tote, the...

The Jockey Club RoR Awards 2026 took place on Saturday 24 January at Cheltenham Racecourse during Festival Trials Day, bringing together more than 230 guests from across the racing and equestrian communities, alongside supporters of RoR’s work.  The ceremony was opened by RoR Patron Zara Tindall MBE, who welcomed attendees and highlighted the remarkable journeys of former racehorses beyond...

Thank goodness that we are on the home run and we can all obsess about the Cheltenham Festival in just under two months' time....

DOMINIC KING: They came in their droves, fuelled with giddy expectation, hoping to see a potential superstar write the latest chapter in his rapidly-exciting career....

Ten have been declared for the Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase (2.05 Doncaster); the going on Town Moor is now described as soft, heavy in places - there were several non-runners at the track today on account of the ground. Grand Geste is priced up favourite.  Rated 108 over hurdles, Joel Parkinson and...

The latest Racing Together webinar explored finalists from the Community Award category at November’s RCA Showcase & Awards, hearing from those closest to the programmes about the why, the how and the impact. Hosted by Matthew Jones from the Racecourse Association, the session highlighted the breadth of community-led initiatives making...

We all make mistakes. The response to last week’s error in the blog reminded me of the days when I occasionally recorded messages for a premium rate tipping line in the mid-1990s. “Dear Tipster,” the more courteous letters would start, “You couldn’t tip tea from a teapot..."...

Jonbon makes it back-to-back victories in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot as favourite Il Etait Temps falls at the second-to-last fence....

Small fields, small fields...  Just six declared for tomorrow's Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (2.00 Haydock) but bet365, Sky and Paddy Power are paying three places. The going is described as good to soft, soft in places, with no significant rainfall forecast before racing. The top two in the market, Myretown and Konfusion, both...

We’re just over two weeks into 2026 and so far I’ve become a little bit older, a little bit fatter and a little bit less physically fit......

DOMINIC KING: The three-time champion jockey has been involved in a long-running wrangle with HMRC and in December 2024 said he had been 'working hard to unravel the mess'....

The finalists have been revealed today for the 2026 Thoroughbred Industry Employees Awards, sponsored by Godolphin. Following two highly competitive rounds of judging, the 18 finalists from across British racing and breeding will head to Ascot Racecourse for the illustrious ceremony, hosted by ITV Racing’s Ed Chamberlin. With £128,500 in prize...

The education charity Racing to School has reported another record year of engagement in 2025, with plans in place to grow participation within its 25th anniversary year. Last year, just over 17,500 young people benefited from the charity’s 471 educational events, delivered in partnership with all GB racecourses and a...

Harry Cobden has been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity after being chosen by JP McManus to become his retained rider....

Racing Together is pleased to share the agenda for Racing Together Industry Day, and to confirm that the early-bird discount runs until this Friday, 16th January. Key Information: An extended early-bird rate of £75 is available until 16th January and a subsidised under-25 ticket is offered to encourage young people...

One of Australia's most famous horse racing families has tragically revealed that seven of their racehorses have died after bushfires devastated their Lindsay Park stables in Victoria....

The winter freeze has helped most racing followers find the time to truly digest what has been a hectic Christmas and New Year period of racing....

Three horses, including the Grade One winning Kalif Du Berlais, die after sustaining injuries in separate incidents during Kempton Park's Lanzarote Hurdle card....

Warwick's Classic Chase card is subject to an 8.00am inspection with frost forecast overnight; the course has been completely covered. A select field of eight are set to face the starter at 2.55; the going is described as soft. L'Homme Presse, fourth behind Galopin Des Champs in the 2024 Gold Cup (Nassalam...

I’d prefer to take dry January with a little less ice please......

Earlier today, on hearing of the death of Ian Balding, I dug out my copy of Brough Scott's 'Of Horses and Heroes', to read the section dedicated to Mill Reef. It begins: "Mill Reef was so small you could put your arm over his withers. He may have measured 15.2 hands,...

Ian Balding, the legendary trainer of the 1971 Derby winner Mill Reef, dies at the age of 87....

Cheltenham Racecourse welcomes more than 44,000 spectators as its New Year's Day fixture sells out for the first time....