How racing can stop this disastrous but understandable lust for speed

I like Bjorn Nielsen. I have liked him in the few dealings I have had with him over the years and I like the outlook he takes to racing; he is a man who understands and appreciates the sport, its history and what you should aim to achieve from it if you can.

Nielsen has long dreamed of winning the Investec Derby at Epsom, something he may achieve with English King this weekend, and 'accidentally' bred brilliant stayer Stradivarius in his pursuit of creating a horse capable of conquering the Classic's contours.

Speaking to Alastair Down over the weekend, Nielsen expressed his concerns that too much emphasis continues to be put on breeding fast, precocious horses, saying: "Of course every pedigree needs speed but we have perhaps come to a pass where we breed speed to speed too much."