Whisper it quietly but 2021 was a vintage year - on the track at least

Thank you 2021: a racing year that began with no crowds on course; that has endured continued infighting among its stakeholders and a seemingly endless parade of controversy courtesy of Elliott, Baffert, Dunne and Murphy; and which ends in the shadow of another public lockdown.

For anyone charged with promoting horseracing to the outside world, it has been an uphill struggle.

However, for those on track for the biggest days – and for large parts of the year that has been a rare and exclusive privilege – the last 12 months have produced more than their fair share of compelling action.