What's been your highlight of the year? It's a good question – and the answers can be very personal
The Racing Post Annual editor on his favourite story in this year's book

Recently my colleague Chris Cook asked me which was my personal highlight of the year featured in the latest Racing Post Annual. It was a question that left me pondering why we become attached to certain horses when the reasons might not be obvious to others.
The reason for Cook’s enquiry was that he was writing about the Annual in his Front Runner column, but the question caught me slightly on the hop. As editor of the Annual, I suppose I’d say all the featured horses become “my babies” for a little while. All their stories are important in producing the best possible review of the racing year.
Yet the answer I gave Chris was Teahupoo winning the Stayers' Hurdle. Why did I say that? He had a solid unbeaten campaign in the 2023-24 season, but he’s far from the best or most exciting horse in the Annual and his races were hardly packed with drama.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inAnother View
Last updated
- From Batley Bulldogs to the Dublin Racing Festival, what you want when watching sport is emotional and intellectual engagement
- I'm excited and honoured to chair the Horse Welfare Board - here's my vision for a future in which British racing can lead the world
- Racecourse groups may be badgered and browbeaten - but property developers are made of stern and patient stuff
- Seizing his moment: how Darragh O'Keeffe stepped out of Rachael Blackmore's shadow to become the standout rider of the season
- When Halloween once ruled Boxing Day - and how racing has missed a trick by not pushing out the boat for young fans
- From Batley Bulldogs to the Dublin Racing Festival, what you want when watching sport is emotional and intellectual engagement
- I'm excited and honoured to chair the Horse Welfare Board - here's my vision for a future in which British racing can lead the world
- Racecourse groups may be badgered and browbeaten - but property developers are made of stern and patient stuff
- Seizing his moment: how Darragh O'Keeffe stepped out of Rachael Blackmore's shadow to become the standout rider of the season
- When Halloween once ruled Boxing Day - and how racing has missed a trick by not pushing out the boat for young fans
