Best of times, worst of times, changing times

My life has been framed by great moments in racing and particularly at Kempton.

Growing up, every day I used to walk past a picture of my grandfather’s Frenchman’s Cove, painted by Peter Biegel, in the hallway at home in Newmarket. Trained by my father Harry, he is jumping the last en route to victory in the King George of 1964, with the dual winner Mandarin and Grand National winner Nicolaus Silver in close attendance.

I was there to see the great Arkle win in 1965 and to witness the drama of his defeat the following year by Dormant, when he fractured a foot and still finished second. Multiple winners in more recent times, Desert Orchid and Kauto Star, are further legends of the race.