Three reasons why 2017 will be such a big year for racing

According to Wikipedia, 130BC was probably the most boring year in recorded history. It was the year in which nothing happened: no noteworthy wars or battles, no moments of religious significance, no interesting births or dynastic marriages.

Had it not been for the death of the Roman poet Pacuvius - poor lad - there would not be a single event considered worth recording about the year. Ah, how I long for 130BC. Nothing to do but mind your vines and grumble about the price of grain. It was a quiet year. A good year.

By contrast, 2016 has been an eventful year, even by the hyperactive standards of the technological age. In politics old orders and assumptions have crumbled; wars, terrorism and instability have plagued the world near and far; sport has been rocked by scandal; the list of the departed is long and sobering.