Horse Racing Year in Review - 2012

2012 - The Year of Frankel

2012 was well and truly a vintage year for Racing, across both codes we have had some fantastic moments that will live long in the memory even after 2012 is in the rear view mirror.

From the fantastic Frankel on the flat to the monstrous Sprinter Sacre over fences 2012 saw the legacies of some of the best horses in many a year cemented as well as the emergence of a new battalion of potential superstars to take us forward in to 2013.

Here, month by month, we’ll look back at the year that was 2012 and the lows and many highs it brought with it as the sport of kings once again captured the heart and the mind over twelve incredible months.

King George - Grands Crus to Run

Just Crus-in' - Last year's Feltham winner looks outstanding value to follow up in the King George.

David Pipe has today confirmed Grands Crus as a runner in Boxing Day’s showpiece the King George, as the second season chasers look to continue their domination of the season’s big races.

The grey, last seen pulling up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, has now had a breathing operation to hopefully cure what seemed to be ailing him on his last two runs.

A hugely impressive winner of the Feltham on the card last year, in which he clocked a faster time than King George winner Kauto Star when handing a comprehensive beating to this season’s Betfair Chase and Hennessy winners Silviniaco Conti and Bobs Worth, Grands Crus looks a huge price on the strength of his best form.

He’s rapidly becoming a cliff horse for me but I can’t shake last year’s Feltham win – and we have seen in recent years how strong a trial that race can be for the King George with ante-post favourite for this year’s race Long Run graduating from winning the Feltham to landing the King George the following year.

Frankie Dettori Banned For Six Months

The worst kept secret in Horse Racing was finally revealed today as the verdict of Frankie Dettori’s France Galop hearing for a failed drugs test back on Arc Trials day in September was announced.

The French authority has issued Dettori with a six month ban that will likely be reciprocated by racing authorities across the globe. France Galop didn’t really have much choice in the matter after issuing Kieren Fallon with the same punishment for a similar offence back in 2006.


On the bright side for Dettori – if there is one – his ban will be backdated to 20th November so will end on 19th May 2013 meaning that although he will miss Guineas weekend and most of the classic trials he will be back for the Derby – if he is able to secure a ride, unlike this year – and his beloved Royal Ascot, so in the grand scheme of things it could have been worse for the newly freelance, three-time champion jockey.

Dettori’s legal representative Christopher Stewart-Moore said in a statement released to the Press Association earlier today: "France Galop have today announced their finding Frankie Dettori has committed a breach of their rules relating to prohibited substances, I have spoken to Frankie since the announcement was made and he has told me he fully accepts France Galop's decision. He also accepts that he has let down the sport he loves and all those associated with it, as well as the wider public. But most of all, and this is his greatest regret, he has let down his wife and children."

France Galop in a statement of their own stated "France Galop stewards have extensively examined the dossier of Lanfranco Dettori on December 4 at France Galop in the presence of his advisor, Mr Christopher Stewart-Moore, and his representative, Mr Herve Naggar. In view of the serious infraction of the rules of racing, the France Galop stewards will allow the jockey to appear before a designated medical commission doctor on April 20, 2013”.

In the wake of his split with Godolphin, Dettori had been well backed to be crowned champion jockey again next year but is now best-priced 66/1 on the back of his likely suspension for the first part of the British flat season.

I had been one of those who had rushed out to back Dettori for the title and though I fully expect him to bounce back and work harder than ever to regain the trust and affection of a sport that not only loves him, but so desperately needs him, the jockeys title is now an almost impossible ask for the 41-year-old.

Weekend Preview - Tingle Creek, Becher, John Durkan

She Sells Sanctuaire - Can the Nicholls bandwagon derail Sprinter Sacre in the Tingle Creek?

With Cheltenham now only ninety-six days away the big weekend’s of racing just keep on coming.

We’ve already seen high class renewals of the Paddy Power Gold Cup, the Betfair Chase and the Hennessy and this weekend allows the 2 mile chasers to strut their stuff in the Tingle Creek at Sandown.

The race doesn’t appeal as much of a betting proposition with the immensely talented Sprinter Sacre a long time, short-priced ante-post favourite for the race, but it does look a race to savour as Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten-over-fences superstar takes on another horse unbeaten over the larger obstacles in Paul Nicholls’ Sanctuaire in what effectively looks a match.

Sanctuaire put up a couple of scintillating performances last season making all to run away with latterly the G2 Celebration Chase at Sandown beating Victor Chandler Chase winner Somersby by 17 lengths.

As good as Somersby is, Sanctuaire has never faced anything like the monster that is Sprinter Sacre but if allowed to go on from the front as he has been before, if his jumping were to hold up round a track notorious for being the ultimate jumping test, he could be the first horse to really trouble Sprinter Sacre over fences; although it looks unlikely with Sprinter Sacre having looked out of this world in his chase career to date.