Through the Lens: this week’s standout racing moments in pictures

From jockeys protesting outside Parliament to exclusive insight from Ballydoyle’s travelling head lad, plus some of the season’s most dazzling racing performances – the week’s best moments are all here in pictures . . .

Hurdling high

Credit: John Grossick Racing

The Last Cloud, ridden by Brian Hughes, pings a hurdle on his way to completing a hat-trick at Perth in the 2m handicap hurdle.

'He's turned into a smashing horse' - The Last Cloud completes hat-trick for Patrick Neville 

Champion trucker

Credit: Patrick McCann

Conor Fennelly spoke to Ballydoyle's travelling head lad Kieran Murphy in a fascinating interview. 

'There’s no secret stuff with Aidan' - inside Ballydoyle with the 'accidental hire' who travels Coolmore's champions  

Jockeys make a stand

Credit: Edward Whitaker

Kieran Shoemark, Oisin Murphy, Saffie Osborne, Lily Pinchin, Richard Johnson, Hollie Doyle, Tom Marquand and Paul O'Brien on Parliament Square in front of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben protesting the proposed racing tax.

Racing takes tax fight to Westminster on unprecedented day of protest as a white horse and a champion jockey spell out the sport's message 

In front at last

Credit: John Grossick Racing

After a summer of finishing behind Trawlerman and Scandinavia, Sweet William and Robert Havlin secured their Doncaster Cup win, successfully defending their title.

'He's a real character, but he's got a lot of ability' - Sweet William thunders home to emphatically defend Doncaster Cup crown 

Oisin on fire

Credit: John Grossick Racing

It was a St Leger Festival to remember for champion jockey Oisin Murphy, who rode seven winners. Above, he returns to the winner's enclosure after winning the Flying Childers on Revival Power.

'You're lucky to get one like this' - Revival Power takes a step towards emulating illustrious sister with decisive Flying Childers win 

Magic Marquand

Credit: John Grossick Racing

When Tom Marquand won his first St Leger in 2020 there was no crowd to roar him home as there was on Saturday; this time he celebrated with his trophy in front of an adoring audience after victory on Scandinavia.

Tom Marquand 'blessed' to ride St Leger hero Scandinavia as O'Brien supersub revels in deafening Doncaster atmosphere 

Smooth Soumillon

Credit: Patrick McCann

Aidan O’Brien has trained some of the best Flat horses, but Delacroix still left him in awe as he claimed the Irish Champion Stakes after a masterful ride from Christophe Soumillon.

Aidan O'Brien blown away by Delacroix in Irish Champion Stakes - but reveals star colt may have run his last race 

Day to remember

Credit: Patrick McCann

Eve Johnson Houghton gives National Stakes winner Zavateri a deserving pat after providing the trainer with a second Group 1 success.

'What a horse' - Zavateri walks the walk and delivers second Group 1 for Johnson Houghton in thrilling National Stakes battle 

The final thoughts

Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Aidan O'Brien issues out his riding instructions before the Moyglare Stud Stakes that he landed with the Ronan Whelan-ridden Precise.

'It's about who you know in this game' - Ronan Whelan in dreamland as Precise call-up proves a winning one in Moyglare

Read more . . .

Back from a heart attack at 57 to win on a horse who 'wouldn't get the trip in a horsebox' - what a legend! 

Racing stars sign up for two nights of 'fun and glamorous' dancing spectacular in aid of Racing Welfare 

Watch out for future stars before the Ayr Gold Cup plus Field Of Gold and co on show at Newmarket Open Weekend 

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