'He was, as always, the complete gentleman . . . it was a tragedy when he died'

The best quotes from the racing world this week

We haven't put fees up or anything but if it carries on we might have to. It's a horrible time at the moment – there'll be a lot of people going out of business
Trainer Mick Appleby says the challenges of rising energy costs will impact his yard

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Why would you go and do something for nothing and end up paying all the bills yourself? It's the first sign of madness. So well done Joe Tuite and Harry Dunlop for biting the bullet at the right time
Richard Hughes reflects on the recent spate of trainers quitting

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A few years ago Kerry got beaten by Dublin in the final and he kept an eye on it. He told us, 'I'll be coming when Kerry win the Sam Maguire Cup' – thankfully we didn't have to wait too long
Listowel chairman Pat Healy explains how he got Frankie Dettori to agree to ride at the course's harvest festival

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It's a drop in the ocean. While an increase in minimum values is always welcome, I thought it was pitiful. Looking at what they put them up just highlights how pitiful the minimum values are for these high-quality races
Record-breaking trainer Mark Johnston is unimpressed by the rise in minimum values following the release of the 2023 fixture list

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I'm now thoroughly aware of how hard they've been working through the summer – as have a lot of them across the country. There's no decision to be made about watering, which is certainly a relief
Stand-in Newmarket clerk of the course Roderick Duncan praises the track's team after rain finally arrived

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They don't seem to be able to do anything because either the racecourses don't agree or the trainers don't. It's complete inertia and it's crippling the sport
Musselburgh chief Bill Farnsworth offers his opinion on the BHA's fixture list

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I didn't watch the International until my mum phoned me to tell me Baaeed had won. When I watched the replay it made me shiver all over. It really tugged at my heartstrings
William Haggas's head groom Fiona Murray recalls the superstar's York triumph

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He was, as always, the complete gentleman, ringing and asking how the family and staff were and was everyone okay in the pandemic. It was a tragedy when he died
Owen Burrows, enjoying a fine season, remembers the late Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum

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