Today, almost all my thoughts are on Goodwood.

This Friday morning, six years ago, we set off, to experience more of the ‘new’. The sun-drenched train ride to Chichester. A hearty cooked breakfast in The Buttery, where ‘Racing Posts’ outnumbered menus. Skirting Goodwood House on the bus to the top of the wooded Downs. Arrival! - the track was as beautiful as we’d imagined it, and much more so than on the box. If you’ve never been racing at Goodwood, you’re missing one of life’s best experiences. You’re not disposed to punting? Well don’t let that put you off – when surrounded by so much beauty, who needs a flutter? Your heart will be doing enough of that.

I haven’t needed to look at the photographs we took that day, what with watching this year’s meeting on TV. Everything comes flooding back. The each-way double we landed. The Mark Johnston two-year old we didn’t: Suzi liked its silks, but not enough to bet it. Spectacular views from the Gordon Stand – and what would they be like on a evening meeting! (Even the thought of it is spine-tingling.) Our champagne and wine. (Who needs to eat after The Buttery experience?) This week on Tuesday I had a small consideration on Delegator, which ran inconsiderately, coming last with L Dettori aboard – which reminds me of reading Frankie’s excellent autobiography while we stayed in Cavendish Place, where it was in the apartment ‘library’. Frankel’s victory was breathtaking in the Sussex Stakes – which reminded me of listening on Bella’s radiogram to Silly Season’s win in the same race in 1965, not knowing that I’d be at the track for the first and last time forty years later.

Not just today, but all this week I’ve been thinking about Goodwood and the memories it has spawned. Not just today, but all this week I’ve been thinking about Norway…

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here