As teenager Billy “the Kid” Loughnane caps his incredible first year racing with the champion apprentice title, H&H caught up with the 17-year-old to find out more about this high flyer who deserves to be on your radar…

1. Horses have been part of Billy’s life for as long as he can remember. “I started on rocking horses, then ponies pretty much as soon as I could walk and speak,” says Billy, who was speaking at a Great British Racing event ahead of Qipco British Champions Day (21 October) at Ascot, where he will receive the champion apprentice trophy. “I started showjumping when I was about nine or 10, and did that until I was 13.”

2. He has always wanted to be a jockey. “The first time I sat on a racehorse I was probably about two years old, I used to sit on them on the way back from the gallops while someone held on to them. But the first time I cantered a racehorse I was about 10,” says Billy.

3. Billy, whose father Mark trains from his Worcestershire base, caught the race-riding bug through pony racing. “I’ve always been very competitive in everything I’ve done – I’ve always wanted to be the best,” he says. “I won my first pony race, so straight away I had the feeling for a winner. From there on, I just wanted more and more winners. ”

4. His first racing hero was Sir AP McCoy, and as Billy became more invested in Flat racing, Tom Marquand became another hero. As a tall jockey, he also tries to emulate the riding styles of James Doyle and Richard Hughes.

5. He rode his first winner less than a year ago – Swiss Rowe, trained by his father, at Wolverhampton on 28 November 2022. Since then, he has notched up more than 100 victories.

6. Billy was too young to drive when his career first kicked off. He’s since passed his test and remembers Aidan Keeley as giving him plenty of lifts before he got his own set of wheels.

7. The teenage wonder rode out his claim in September at Kempton – less than 11 months from his first ride – and would likely have got there sooner had he not spent three weeks on the sidelines after breaking his thumb in the starting stalls.

8. One of his major first season highlights was riding his first winner for Godolphin, when the Charlie Appleby-trained Sapphire Seas won by a nose at Wolverhampton in January.

9. He already has his sights set on his next big goals. “I’m staying around for the winter, so I’d love to have a crack at the all-weather title. Next year, I’d love to get 100 winners again, in the season and first year without a claim. And if I can, maybe a listed winner on the board as well.”

10. Billy credits his dad and former jockey Stephen Davies, who is Mark’s assistant trainer, for his education in the saddle. “Dad taught me how to ride most of the way – obviously I had lessons with showjumping as well – and Stephen helped me a lot when I switched to racehorses.”

11. His favourite horse is the six-year-old Daheer, trained by Mark for The Likely Lads. “I used to ride him every day when I was there, from when I was about 13, so he’d be right up there as one of my favourites.”

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The legendary champion jockey Lester Piggott and the unbeaten Frankel have become the first two members of a new hall of fame celebrating Flat racing.

The QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame has been launched to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the series, and will “immortalise the modern greats of the sport”, who have achieved “remarkable things” since 1970.

“On the basis of their undisputed status and achievements within the sport, Lester Piggott and Frankel are the first two champions to become hall of famers,” said a spokesman for the series.

Lester, an 11-time champion jockey, enjoyed a career of almost 50 years and rode 4,493 winners including 30 British Classics. The 85-year-old lives in Switzerland and received a specially commissioned medal marking his induction.

“It is an honour to become the first jockey – and the first person – to be inducted and I am truly delighted to receive this special medal,” said Lester.

“I feel fortunate to have spent many brilliant years riding such incredible horses and I’m touched to see my story so well preserved through this initiative. The hall of fame is a terrific concept and something that racing has deserved for so many years. Our sport has such an incredible history and I hope that this provides an opportunity for many others to learn about it.”

Lester added it was “only right” that Frankel is the first horse to be inducted.

“He did everything so easily and was the best by far during his time. He is the one horse I wish I could have ridden,” he said.

Frankel is the “highest-rated” racehorse in history; unbeaten in 14 starts and winner of 10 Group One races.

“Frankel, trained by the late, great Sir Henry Cecil, was simply on a different level and seemed to revel in blitzing his rivals with speed, stamina and an abnormally huge stride pattern,” said the spokesman.

“His emotional farewell at QIPCO British Champions Day 2012 came in front of The Queen and a sell-out Ascot crowd, with Frankel fending off previous winner Cirrus Des Aigles to win the QIPCO Champion Stakes, securing an official rating of 141 (which is still unbeaten) and signing off a remarkable, unbeaten career.”

Continued below…

Frankel wins 14 out of 14 and retires to stud

Frankel lives up to all the hype and retires unbeaten after victory on QIPCO British Champions Day

Legends of the sport: All-time great Flat jockey Lester Piggott

The Flat jockey’s killer instinct, unique style and tremendous race record secured him a place with the all-time greats –

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Tom Queally, Frankel’s jockey, said he was pleased that Frankel’s “unblemished” career had been acknowledged in the hall of fame.

“I’m especially delighted that he is the first racehorse to be given the accolade. I will always fondly remember the moments I spent with him,” he said.

The next inductions will take place ahead of the QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on 15 October, where Lester and connections of Frankel will attend as guests of honour.

• Do you support this new hall of fame? Who would you think deserves to join Lester and Frankel? Let us know your views on this, and any other burning topics you’d like to share with us, by writing to hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name and nearest town, for the chance for your comments to feature on the letters page in a future issue of H&H magazine

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

ITV racing presenter Chris Hughes and Flat jockey Kieran Shoemark have spoken about their struggles to encourage others to do the same.

The pair have teamed up with Movember, the first official charity partner of QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot (19 October), to raise awareness of men’s health issues.

Kieran, who has served a suspension from racing following a failed drugs test nearly a year ago, explained how opening up was the turning point for getting his life back.

“I certainly struggled to open up, I kind of didn’t know how to,” he said.

“I spoke to many people because I was forced to. They knew something was up and I didn’t really know myself. Sometimes you can’t even recognise it yourself and other people spot it before you.

“Since I asked for help, I can’t stress how drastically my life has changed beyond mine and anyone’s recognition.”

Chris and Kieran were talking in the Movember Man Van, which will be at Ascot on Saturday offering men’s health advice, free haircuts and shoe shines.

“Kieran and I have had quite different experiences but we both found that opening up and talking about what we were going through was the best thing we could have done,” said Chris, who did a stint on Love Island and is now a presenter on ITV Racing.

“As men we do sometimes feel like we can’t be honest or show our vulnerability but the sooner you open up, the better. Hopefully by sharing our stories we can encourage other men to seek the help they might need.”

Article continues below…

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Movember is a charity that aims to challenge the way men’s health is approached and supported.

Prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention are among the areas the charity is addressing.

Since 2003, it has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects globally and is aiming to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25% by 2030.

“We’re proud to have Movember as the official charity partner of QIPCO British Champions Series and for the Movember Man Van to be on course for QIPCO British Champions Day, helping to raise awareness about the vital work they do tackling the biggest health issues facing men,” said British Champions Series chief executive Rod Street.

“With free haircuts and much more on offer, I hope everyone is able to stop by to enrich what will already be a fantastic day.”

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Jockeys have stripped off to raise awareness of some of the biggest issues facing men’s health.

Oisin Murhpy, Charlie Bishop and Tom Marquand have helped launch the partnership between QIPCO British Champions Series and Movember with a video to tie in with testicular cancer awareness month (April).

Charity the Movember Foundation is a leading voice in the major issues facing men’s health, including prostate and testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.

The partnership aims to raise awareness of these issues among the racing world and its fans.

The charity’s “know thy nuts” campaign focuses on educating people of the risks of testicular cancer and how to check for potential signs.

“As lads in the weighing room and in all walks of life there is always a lot of banter but it can sometimes be hard to really talk to people about the serious health issues that affect men,” said Oisin.

“We know to our cost that mental health issues, in particular have affected many in racing, so I think this is a brilliant partnership which will hopefully bring some of these things out in the open and help people get the support they need. I am proud to be a part of it.”

Tom added it is “shocking” to think that almost two-thirds of 18 to 34 year old men don’t know that they’re in the most at-risk age group for testicular cancer.

“It’s so important that men know their risk and check themselves regularly. Anything that we can do to raise that awareness is really positive,” he said.

British Champions Series chief executive Rod Street said they are proud to partner with “such an important charity”.

“The issues that Movember addresses touch all our lives — whether it’s related to a brother, son, father, friend, husband or partner who has been affected by cancer or mental health issues,” he said.

“Through this partnership, which is the first of its kind for QIPCO British Champions Series, we will be supporting Movember’s vital work in tackling the biggest health issues facing men and in raising awareness to help stop men from dying too young.”

Article continues below…

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Owen Sharp, chief executive of Movember, said the fact so many men are unaware they are in the highest-risk age group is “very worrying”.

“There’s a widespread assumption that it’s a disease that predominantly affects older men, but that’s just not the case,” he said.

“Testicular cancer strikes young so checking regularly and knowing what to look for is crucial.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

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In just 10 days time the world's top equine sprinter Harry Angel will run at Britain’s richest raceday, QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot (21 October 2017). Two legged sprinter Adam Gemili paid him a visit to compare their training regimes...

The four-legged sprinter

Winner of two Group One races, the three-year-old Harry Angel is trained by Lambourn-based Clive Cox.

“He has a lot of talent,” says Clive. “He’s always shown us that quality — it’s about raw ability and producing that fine edge to go and compete on the right day.

“With more racing experience I think the confidence has grown enormously. Ascot itself is a big amphitheatre — there’s an awful lot of atmosphere there to deal with for any horse, and it can get the better of some horses on the day.”

The two-legged sprinter

Gemili was part of the 4x100m gold medal relay team at this summer’s World Athletics Championships along with CJ Ujah, Daniel Talbot and Nathaneel Mitchell-Blake.

“It was such a privilege to go and visit Harry Angel ahead of him running at QIPCO British Champions Day,” he says.

“I was blown away by how many similarities there are between my training regime and his, including maintaining fitness, scheduling faster sprint work and getting ready for competition. It was amazing to meet him and his trainer Clive Cox and I can’t wait to see him race on the day.”

What is the QIPCO British Champions Series?

The series is designed to throw the spotlight on Britain’s best Flat races and climaxes on 21 October with QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot.

It features 35 Flat races staged at 10 of the UK’s leading racecourses: Ascot, Doncaster, Epsom Downs, Goodwood, Haydock Park, Newbury, Newmarket’s July Course, Newmarket’s Rowley Mile, Sandown Park and York.

There are five easy-to-follow champion categories — sprint, mile, middle distance, long distance and fillies and mares.

To get your tickets to QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot racecourse, including George Ezra after-party, go to britishchampionsday.co.uk

For our full report from QIPCO British Champions Day, don’t miss the 26 October 2017 issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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Radio DJ Sara Cox received a race-riding lesson from top Flat jockey Frankie Dettori and even got her horse’s head in front during a “ride-off” on the gallops at the British Racing School in Newmarket.

“It was the best day ever and I couldn’t stop smiling — it was such an incredible experience,” said Sara, who recently completed the first Dartmoor Derby.

“Frankie’s a world-class jockey and my legs felt like jelly even before I got on the horse. Frankie was very encouraging and gave me some really good tips. I can’t believe he let me beat him. It meant a lot for him to say that I’d done well — I am leaving radio and becoming a professional jockey,’ she quipped.

Frankie’s top tips for Sara included to “just hang on” and ride with shorter reins. “If you have shorter reins and lean more forward then you’ll have full balance and the horse will do the rest,” he told her.

The popular 45-year-old jockey is gearing up for the Flat season’s finale, the QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday 15 October, where Sara will also be hosting the after-party.

“I can’t believe I got beaten by a woman,” Frankie added after the session. “Sara did great — she had beautiful balance and her body posture was spot on, especially as she doesn’t ride a lot. I think the horse enjoyed it as well.

“Champions Day is our [Flat jockeys’] biggest day — there’s going to be thousands of people and we have some of the best races of the year all on the same day. There’s a lot of pressure but that’s why I work hard to get to that point and it’s exciting — it’s nerve-wracking but it’s also fun as well.”

The final day of the Flat racing calendar will also see the Champion Flat jockey crowned. Jim Crowley is currently ahead of last year’s titleholder Silvestre de Sousa.

Read the full report from the QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot in Horse & Hound on sale Thursday 20 October

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With record prize-money, a huge crowd, champions being crowned and much more, Ascot racecourse hosted a fitting finale to the Flat seaon (17 October)

1. £4.1million prize-money

It was the fifth year this prestigious raceday has been held and 2015 broke records for prize-money offered in Britain on a single day.

2. A crowd of 30,697

Attendance on the day at Ascot racecourse was up by nearly 2,000 on last year’s figure (28,741) — it was the best attendance since Frankel won in 2012 (32,000).

3. A champion is crowned

Silvestre De Sousa (below) was presented with his 2015 Stobart champion Flat jockey title in front of a packed crowd.

Continued below…

4. A Royal day

Winning jockeys, owners and trainers received their trophies from The Queen and the Household Cavalry led the winners in (below).

5. Curtain closes on 2015 season

It was a fitting finale to the European Flat racing season, with four Group One races out of the six on the racecard — the richest raceday in the British calendar.

6. Champion horses

Two of the races were won by outright champions; Solow (below), in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes ridden by Maxime Guyon, and Muhaarar, in Sprint Stakes ridden by Paul Hanagan.

7. A battle to the finish

Simple Verse and Journey provided a thrilling finish to the Fillies and Mares Stakes. The eventual winner Simple Verse delighted owner Sheikk Fahad Al Thani — the raceday’s sponsor.

8. Flying Frankie

The first race of the day, the Long Distance Cup, went the way of Frankie Dettori and Flying Officer. The jockey didn’t disappoint the crowd following the race by doing his trademark flying dismount in the winners’ enclosure.

9. Rocking the grandstand

Paloma Faith closed the day’s proceeding with her performance after racing in front of the 30,000-strong crowd — along with Radio 1 DJ Matt Edmondson and Rick Parfitt Jnr.

Don’t miss the full report from QIPCO British Champions Day in the 22 October issue of Horse & Hound magazine

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Laurent-Perrier

Guards Polo Club and the champagne house have announced a three-year partnership.

Laurent-Perrier is now the official champagne of the polo club, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

The champagne house, which was founded in 1812, has previously sponsored the Inter Regimental and the Captains and Subalterns Tournaments in the 1980s.

Neil Hobday, the polo club’s chief executive, said: “With a packed season ahead of us, including this weekend’s Cartier Queen’s Cup Final, there will be plenty of reasons to open a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Brut, Rosé, or Grand Siecle and celebrate.”

Charles Owen & Co

The hat manufacturer is to return to BETA International as a sponsor of the Horse Demonstration and Seminar Arena.

For the fourth year in a row, the company will host the Charles Owen Learning Centre in 2016.

It will have live action product displays and retailer information sessions across the three-day show, which is held at the NEC in Birmingham from 24-26 January.

Charles Owen’s managing director Roy Burek said the trade fair is very special to them and they look forward to supporting it for years to come.

He added: “Charles Owen’s focus has always been on education and sponsoring this feature certainly provides us with a way to help retailers develop their business and become increasingly profitable.”

QIPCO

A multi-million pound commercial deal has been announced between British Champions Series, Ascot, Newmarket and QIPCO.

This deal, which was announced on 10 June, secures QIPCO’s partnership with all parties until 2024.

The Qatari private investment company became title series sponsor in 2011 and, since its launch, prize money across the 35-race series has increased to 50 percent to £17.4m in 2015.

Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah Al Thani, chief executive of QIPCO, said they are proud to support British racing and its heritage.

He said: “As a private, family-run investment company, we are privileged to have built an association with world-renowned events such as Royal Ascot and British Champions Series, the very best of British racing.”

Horse of the Year Show

A combination of three sponsors are set to work together to support various classes at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) this year.

Healthcare provider Kare Plus, Brineton Engineering and Colne Stud will be supporting three mountain and moorland showing classes.

These are the Brineton/Kare Plus mountain and moorland first ridden pony of the year, Colne mountain and moorland lead rein pony of the year and the Brineton Colne mountain and moorland mini pony of the year championships.

Helena Pettit, managing director of Grandstand Media, said: “We are thrilled that all three sponsors are working together to support these classes at HOYS 2015.”

HOYS runs from 7-11 October at Birmingham NEC.

Visit: www.hoys.co.uk

Cofibres

The Sunshine Tour Championships have secured sponsorship from Cofibres.

Qualifying dressage, showjumping and showing events for the championships are being held at venues across the UK until 31 August.

The championships will be held at Hickstead from 18-20 September.

Cofibres are a chopped poly-propylene fibre additive designed to be added to sand arena surfaces.

It gives a stable base without making it hard or tiring for the horse to work on.

Visit: www.sunshinetour.co.uk

Simpsons Subaru

A new partnership has been struck up between Barbury and Simpsons Subaru.

The Highworth-based dealership will become the official automotive partner of the St James’s Place Wealth Management Barbury International Horse Trials horse trials, which run from 9-12 July.

There is also a chance to win the use of a new Subaru Forester from 9-13 July with VIP parking at the horse trials on 12 or 13 July.

Nigel Bunter, owner of Barbury Castle Estate and chairman of the horse trials, said: “The addition of Simpsons Subaru to the family of commercial partners at Barbury is testament to its growing appeal for business as well as consumers enjoying a great day out.”

Visit: www.barburyhorsetrials.co.uk

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The jumps season is well and truly underway now and it’s all go. It’s a really exciting time of year and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead. I’ve had a couple of winners already, so it’s good to get on track.

There are a lot of nice young horses at Paul Nicholls’ yard — where I’m second jockey — and I’ve been there a lot schooling and riding out (pictured).

I’ve also been to Jeremy Scott’s a fair bit and have been racing nearly every day. We don’t get many days off now, and I’m spending most of my life driving around the country — which as I’ve said before is not my favourite part of the job!

It’s good to have had some rain come too. There are now some bigger fields running as trainers weren’t able to get their horses out much in September as the ground was too hard. But now the racing is coming thick and fast and it’s getting very competitive.

There was some good racing at Chepstow and Aintree at the weekend. I was up at Aintree and it was great to see Wishfull Thinking roll back the years to take the Old Roan Chase. He’s a classy horse and has done so well the past few seasons. I was pleased with my ride in the race, Rolling Aces. Unfortunately he finished third but I was happy with his run.

Farewell to the flat

Although I was at Cheltenham racing, I kept a close eye on the results at Ascot on 18 October. QIPCO British Champions Day is a great initiative to close the Flat season over here.

This year they were unfortunate with the rain, meaning some non runners, but Noble Mission was a dream result.

To have Frankel’s half brother winning such an exciting race was brilliant. There’s some excellent prize money there too and it’s great that the day has such support.

My four to follow

I’m going to pick out four horses for H&H readers to follow throughout the 2014-15 National Hunt season — two from Jeremy Scott’s and two from Paul Nicholls’.

It’s just to give you all a bit of interest though — don’t hold it against me if they don’t win!

They are horses that have impressed me from work so far.

Boogie in the Barn — a six-year-old trained by Jeremy Scott. He won three times last season and is a nice horse who’ll probably start off hurdling. He’s a buzzy horse, he takes time to get his jumping and galloping together but a summer at grass has done him a world of good and I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes. He used to be quite headstrong but now he’s pretty chilled and he could certainly go well this season.

Dashaway — another of Jeremy’s. He’s a five-year-old full brother to Briar Hill, who is a good horse trained by Willie Mullins that won six out of eight starts. Dashaway has only run three times and has taken time to develop but he’ll improve a lot I think. He’s a laid-back individual who didn’t quite realise how big his body was last year. He’s an out and out stayer and if he’s half as good as his brother we’ll be happy.

Ptit Zig — a five-year-old trained by Paul Nicholls. He was a top-class hurdler last season and came fourth to the New One in a Grade One at Aintree as well as winning in Auteuil. He wouldn’t be the flashiest of types but he’s got chaser written all over him. He’s an exciting prospect to go out over fences.

Great Try — a five-year-old owned by Trevor Hemmings and trained by Paul Nicholls. I came fourth on him at Aintree at the weekend. He’s by Scorpion, who seems to be doing very well as a sire at the moment. He’s a well-balanced, good looking horse who covers the ground exceptionally well. He gave me a really good feel and I think he could be a star for the future.

Good luck…

Nick

Don’t miss the exclusive H&H interview with Paul Nicholls in next week’s National Hunt special — out Thursday 6 November.

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In the run-up to last Saturday’s fantastic QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot there was a lot of adverse comment about the meeting being run on soft or, as it turned out, heavy ground.

One young Newmarket trainer was quoted as saying that he wouldn’t be running his horse in the new £250,000 Balmoral Handicap because the meeting was going to be run “on bad jumping ground” and that he thought it should be moved to earlier in the autumn.

Whichever way you look at it, that won’t happen. Because of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting at Longchamp two weeks earlier, there is no room for manoeuvre.

It has to be held on this weekend and there is no point debating the whys and wherefores.

As for the ground, sure it was very deep, but no one jumps up and down when it’s soft ground every other year at the aforementioned Arc meeting. That’s accepted as part of the deal, and the meeting is no lesser for it.

Besides that, there are plenty of top-class performers who handle, even relish, slow ground. Who is anybody to say that they should be discriminated against?

As for the idea of covering the course in the run-up, the track would be making a rod for their own back. How could you predict when to lay the covers, never mind the huge expense involved? As long as the meeting is not in danger, it should be left alone.

An occupational hazard

We are in the latter half of a year that from early summer to late autumn has favoured the fast-ground performers. That is the way the cookie crumbles, but for those of us with soft-ground horses — and I defy any trainer to say that he has none — their owners have had to be patient in the extreme!

Despite this, a large chunk of Newmarket’s flagship July meeting was run on slow ground.

We have to accept the weather is an occupational hazard, and get on with it. For example, even in the driest September since who knows when, Newbury had half an inch of rain just before their two-day meeting. On the first day, one trainer’s right-hand man was complaining loudly about their watering policy. It had to be pointed out to him that with that much rain it mattered not how much water they had put on.

Even if it did, what did he expect in mid-September?

Changing the date of British Champions Day to earlier in the autumn will not guarantee better ground, so the argument is pointless.

Whether to water

As for watering, the debate will rage on. Many feel that the tracks overwater — that it discriminates against fast-ground horses, and that it changes the nature of a track’s surface.

This winter, Yarmouth are taking up the turf on their straight track to sort out the ridges that have become progressively worse, and there is a feeling that this has come about because of continuous watering.

There has also been a good deal of complaint about the same problem on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile, mostly from the jockeys.

Memorably, after this year’s 1000 Guineas, the winning (brilliant) trainer Andre Fabre was asked if he had any prior concerns about his filly Miss France handling the conditions. He replied: “No, not all. The Rowley Mile is the best course in the world, we love it, horses love it, it is only some jockeys who don’t like it”. Monsieur Fabre is well known for his autocratic handling of jockeys, but he has a point.

The tracks are in a difficult position, if they don’t water and produce firm ground, they attract small fields, which is to no one’s advantage. Generally, they do a pretty good job.

I have a much bigger problem with some of the inaccurate forecasting of what their ground will be on race day. But that is a whole other can of worms, and a subject for another day.

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What is yellow, has a round head and a microphone? Clare Balding made out of Lego of course!

Clare is just one of a host of racing personalities to have undergone a “lego makeover” for a video that has been released to celebrate this weekend’s QIPCO British Champions Day (18 October).

The new short film — which also features the Queen and racing legend Frankel — marks some of the day’s most iconic moments from the past three years.

Some of this year’s equine contenders also feature — including The Grey Gatsby, Cirrus Des Aigles and the Queen’s Estimate. The prize-money available on the day is now more than £4 million.

The video was produced by Graham Love of GLove Productions.

“I stumbled into this line of work by chance when, just before my 18th birthday my 2011 Rugby World Cup video went viral,” he said.

“I had such a great time making this project. I’ve never used Lego horses for film before so this was a first for me. I’m really happy with the way it has turned out and I think it really portrays what British Champions Day is all about.”

Hopefully the video can help the day to build on its previous success!

Find out more about British Champions Day

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Equine stars stole the show as top Flat horses went head to head at Ascot racecourse last weekend

A crowd of over 24,000 gathered at Ascot racecourse on Saturday (19 October) to watch top Flat horses in action at QIPCO British Champions Day.

Top riders from the world of eventing — including Emily King, Harry Meade, Laura Collett and Oliver Townend — enjoyed a day out alongside Paralympic gold medallist Natasha Baker.

Alongside top racing there was plenty to do for horse lovers — including a “jockey school” for budding young riders and pony rides.

And fans of Sir Henry Cecil remembered the great trainer at a special exhibition.

Godolphin’s Farhh won the Group 1 Champion Stakes, under Silvestre De Sousa.

The five-year-old will now retire to Sheikh Mohammed’s Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket.

“This horse is a great fighter. I am very proud of him and this is good for Godolphin,” said trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

Richard Hannon’s Olympic Glory took the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, while Seal Of Approval provided jockey George Baker with his first Group 1 win in the Fillies and Mares.

“I have been waiting a long time to win a Group 1 — I am 31 years of age and I hope that I do’t have to wait that long for the next one,” he said. “It means a lot, especially to win it on a day like this.”

Other winners included the Johnny Murtagh-trained and ridden Royal Diamond, sprinter Slade Power and Breton Rock.

“I think that this is the best day of my life,” said Johnny. “I wouldn’t have taken it [training] on if I didn’t think I could do it, and do it well. We have a good system at home, and this proves that I’m able to train and ride.”

This is the third year the day has run — with Frankel being the main draw in past years.

Despite not having Frankel as a crowd puller, organisers were pleased with attendance figures.

“We all know that the Frankel factor has had an important bearing in the past, so this year’s attendance figures are very satisfactory for a day that’s still very much in its infancy,” said Rod Street of British Champions Series.

“We’re also delighted with the very high calibre of the racing, with 20 Group 1 winners taking part.”

For full report on QIPCO British Champions Day, don’t miss this week’s issue of H&H out today (Thursday 24 October).

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The life of Sir Henry Cecil is to be celebrated at Ascot later this month in a new display.

Previously unseen memorabilia from Sir Henry’s home at Warren Place, Newmarket, will be displayed at Ascot on QIPCO British Champions day on Saturday, 19 October.

The 10-times champion trainer died on 11 June, aged 70. He had been suffering from cancer for many years. He enjoyed great success at the end of his career with Frankel, winner of last year’s Champion Stakes.

The specially selected collection will include photographs from throughout his life and the flag he used to fly above his house after a Group One victory. Some of the trophies he won during his glittering 44-year career will also be on display, and there will a video of some of his great horses together with a tribute by Clare Balding.

“Henry loved Ascot and I know he would be delighted to have this exhibition there on British Champions Day,” said Sir Henry’s widow Lady Cecil.

“I hope people will enjoy seeing the photos and some of the things from our home that meant so much to him.”

Last month (16 September), Lady Cecil announced that she is planning to continue training at Warren Place. She was granted a temporary licence by the British Horseracing Authority after Sir Henry’s death in June, but will now undertake the necessary modules to complete the full trainer’s course.

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Ahead of QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday 19 October, British Champions Series ambassador Laura Collett visited the Newmarket yard of successful Flat trainer Roger Varian to find out more about what goes into getting a top racehorse to a major race meeting. See how she got on and which horses she met below…

See Horse & Hound magazine (26 September, 2013) for a special discount code on tickets for QIPCO British Champions Day.

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Frankel, the best racehorse in the world, lived up to all the hype and won the QIPCO Champion Stakes on British Champions Day at Ascot to complete his unbeaten career.

Trained by Sir Henry Cecil and ridden by Tom Queally, Frankel has now won all of his 14 starts. He will now be retired to stud.

The four-year-old son of Galileo was slow to leave the stalls but quickly settled to the outside of the field in fourth place, with his brother and regular lead horse Bullet Train making the pace with the French-trained winner of this race last year, Cirrus Des Aigles.

Queally made his move on Frankel with two furlongs to go and swept past the mud-loving Cirrus Des Aigles to a tremendous roar from the capacity crowd.

But the very soft ground made Frankel work harder than he has usually had to and he couldn’t stretch away in the manner of his dramatic wins at Goodwood and York this summer.

He reached the winning post a comfortable length and three-quarters ahead of the game Cirrus Des Aigles with Nathaniel – who finished second to Frankel in their first ever race as two-year-olds – back in third place.

“He’s the supreme equine athlete,” said Lord Grimthorpe, Frankel’s owner-breeder Khalid Abdullah’s racing manager. “We won’t see his like again.”

Sir Henry Cecil said: “I can’t believe in the history of racing there’s ever been a better racehorse. I’ve enjoyed every moment of training him, although it’s been slightly strenuous at times. He didn’t enjoy the ground, although I think I’ve got him too relaxed now — he had plenty in hand.”

Order this great new DVD that celebrates Frankel’s incredible career, from the Horse & Hound shop.

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