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The year of blue and green – when Godolphin and the Irish ruled the roost
Peter Thomas looks back at a year when Ballydoyle had a new fight on its hands
William Buick in the royal blue of Godolphin lands the Derby on Masar, ahead of Dee Ex Bee and Roaring LionCredit: Mark Cranham
January
Bowing out with Head held high
For those who remembered Criquette Head before she got her hyphen and her Maarek, the retirement of the first lady of French racing was the end of a glorious era that saw her win with regularity and popularity in her own country and raid ruthlessly but with great charm in Britain. Ma Biche, Ravinella, Hatoof and Special Duty were Guineas winners who still quicken the pulse, and Treve's Arcs were a fitting full stop to a wonderful story.
Don't worry, it couldn't possibly happen again
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more inFeatures
- Top racing books of 2024: must-reads of the year, from the perfect Christmas stocking filler to a pioneering jockey
- Captain Marvel: how a modern master of Cheltenham and a genuine pioneer executed one of the shocks of the year
- 'We’re delighted with how it's going' - joint-trainers prepare for exciting year after Flat string is doubled
- 'We’ve had to work hard this sales season' - Kennet Valley seeking to build on success with biggest string
- Alastair Down's archives: the great writer recalls Coneygree's glorious victory in the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup