Reasons to vote for Hollie Doyle for Sports Personality of the year

 Hollie Doyle has been nominated for BBC sports personality of the year and these are the reasons why you should vote for her tonight when the voting opens. You can vote by clicking here. I tipped Hollie Doyle on a previous blog to be one to watch this year. 

In the last year, despite Coronavirus Hollie Doyle has been breaking records. This season Doyle has had 146 winners, this exceeded her own record from the previous year. Additionally, these race wins include her first group one on Glen Shield, she had her first win for a female on Championship day, a Royal Ascot winner (only a few women have achieved this feat) and she had a five-timer at Windsor in August. Her wins are unmatched by any other female jockey.

Doyle has also put so much hard work into getting where she is today. She started off in pony racing riding a really unruly pony but has gone on to ride horses of all different calibres and win. While she was an apprentice she was told that she wasn't strong enough. Doyle took this and worked on it, to get to where she is today. When she's not riding winners, you will find her in the gym working on the fitness that gives her the winners.  

Hollie Doyle has done so much for the sport of horse racing, she's opened people's eyes that both genders can be equal in terms of riding winners. Also, she's encouraged other women to get involved in the sport and is inspiring by giving girls a role model. 

This year Doyle is the only female nominated, despite all of the women who are at the top level in sports. There is a lack of representation in Sports Personality of the Year of women, proven by the last female winner was 14 years ago being Zara Philips. Doyle is defying norms if she wins. 

These are my reasons why I think you should vote for Hollie Doyle- let me know if you have any other reasons. Vote tonight!

Nottingham Races

 A surprising journey to Nottingham races came from ditching going to university for the day. With some of the cracking races, it was well worth it. The race day had nine races, the first two being tricky as they were maiden races with the runners being two-year-olds. My highlight again went to Fantasy Master, who won by a length backing up his prior win on course. 

The second race had Ryan Moore win for Sir Michael Stoute. Noon Star the winner was very clearly going to triumph, the willingness to continue to fight back either to chase or to go on to lead. Ocean Road and Mrs Fitzherbert were big outsiders and slowly away, struggling to get into the race but once they found their feet were away and in the final stages showed promise. First place was Noon Star by 3 1/4 lengths, the second was Ocean Road by 1/2 length and third was Mrs Fitzherbert by 5 1/2 lengths. 

The listed race of the afternoon, the Rous Stakes saw the favourite take the glory. Wonderwork led the way initially in the sprint. With Dakota God, Alijady close up. He was tracked by Tis Marvellous and a lot of the horses were in the middle of the field- not having much impact. At four furlongs out Dakota Gold took over the lead, Wonderwork did give chase as did most of the field moving forward. With three furlongs to go Alijay was pushed along and went on strong. In this race, many of horses appeared to hang and struggle. Dakota Gold, in the end, could not be caught, he went to win by 3 1/2 lengths. Second Alijay was 1 3/4 lengths clear of third, who was Wonderwork by 3/4 lengths.  

Additionally, we must give Hollie Doyle a shout out as yet again, she's breaking records (this time however it's her own). In back to back years she has upped the record despite, the current Covid situation. The new record is 117 and I am sure this will be built on greatly. 

My open letter to the British Horseracing Authority

After talking to some owners and trainers all I'm hearing since owners have been allowed back is complaints. They understand that these are the steps that need to occur for getting back to normal but the situation is far from perfect.

To get racing you have to jump through numerous hoops. Including: at least one member of the party filling out the Coronavirus protocol; inform the racecourse and make sure all your details and the other person you attend with are on the list to be let in. These, however, are understandable.

Then when you get to the racecourse it is largely common sense social distancing and having your temperature taken. Yet you're only allowed to be there a minimum 45 minutes before and an hour after your race. Surely, with all the space on a racecourse which is more than adequate for social distancing, there could be a full day made of the races for the owners.

These people are the backbone of racing and aren't being treated correctly. As one Twitter user Kaz, said: "As an owner why would you want to go racing if you can’t access parade ring or winners enclosure? Might as well stay at home. Owners are funding the sport and this is how they’re treated."
Owners can't even properly debrief with the jockey and yet the BHA are scratching their head as to why more owners don't partake.

Furthermore, no facilities including bars and restaurants are open which are a quintessential part of racing. This can easily be done on any scale by allowing a table to be allocated to each owner with social distancing and having plenty of staff on hand. One owner Mrs Sarah Bryan said: " They have all your details and know how many people are doing but yet they can't let people stay for longer or open any of the facilities."

I think that the idea for Goodwood allowing the public in is ghastly. The owners who have been paying their bills, kept their horses in training and supporting stables from afar are simply being neglected. If this does not change I struggle to see anyone who will buy new horses or continue pumping money into the sport.

Until the BHA sort out a plan of action I can't see the point of going racing, for many owners, this isn't the atmosphere they expect. Gone are the nice days out and the memories from my childhood of screaming horse home and taking selfies with jockeys. This is slowly becoming less like the sport that so many love.

Racing round up

There's been an awfully busy couple of weeks for us to look back on. Especially now racings back in Scotland too. Here are some of the best moments and the questionable ones too.

Leicester races going ahead on Wednesday evening faced some controversy. Personally, I think it was an awful decision. As racing already faced much backlash for Cheltenham going ahead. I was not alone in this with trainer Nikki Evans saying: "Is racing at Leicester today a really good idea in the light of new cases, and a lockdown?" Also, people saying they couldn't see how this was essential travel. The BHA has done a great job of keeping the whole industry safe, I hope this was the right decision.

It was announced earlier this week that owners would be allowed back racing from the 4 July. With only two from each horse, their temperatures being checked and time limiters of how long you can be on course. There's another list of requirements from the BHA which can be found on their website. But I myself struggle to see the point as the atmosphere is not the same so will not be partaking in this. However, it is a step in the right direction to get resumption of normal racing back.

The race for champion jockey has started off close this year with reigning champ Oisin Murphy having a narrow lead of three wins over Ben Curtis. The third-place currently is Tom Marquand with 26 wins. This should make for an interesting competition this year. I'm hoping that Hollie Doyle will finish near the top of the leader board. Her talent simply is up there with the best of the best. It'll be interesting to see which new young talent is prominent in the Champion Apprentice race.

Another recent ruling from the BHA was that jockeys do not have to wear face masks during the race. I'm sure this was well received from the jockeys as they were having issues with the goggles steaming and some having trouble breathing.

Jumps are back! And with this came some shocks at Southwell with Olly Murphy having a four-timer. He thanked his staff for their continuous hard work. But the first race win went to Harry Cobden on Nineohtwooneoh. This was an easy 10 length win and a nice welcome back for the jumps.

The INCREDIBLE Hollie Doyle needs a further mention for her Thursday night feat. Wherefrom six rides, she had FOUR, yes four winners and two seconds. She's simply on fire and I hope this momentum keeps going for her.

Additionally, what a weekend we have upcoming with the Epsom Derby, the Oaks as well as the French derby and oaks and the Eclipse. Let's see what the best horses provide including Enable. Also, let's see what some of the jockeys who haven't ridden in these races before like Harry Bentley and Ben Curtis are capable of and if they can handle the pressure.

5 races to re-watch while self isolating

Because there is no racing I didn't know what to do with my time, so I decided to re-watch some of the greatest races. 

It wasn't easy but here's my top 5 races...

1) Red Rum- All three of his Grand National victories were goose bump invokers and history makers. Personally the 1973 is my favourite. The key to his wins were staying wide in the field. Crisp was about 20 lengths clear seemingly not going to be beaten. Red Rum was second. Both well clear of the rest of the field. And just before the line Red Rum manages to catch Crisp to narrowly get the win. From that moment you know he's something special. 

2)  Frankel- The unbeaten 14 timer on British soil. Any of his races would be worth a watch but especially the 2000 Guineas. With no pace makers and going to the front we can see the full ability of Frankel. He easily went clear and keeps extending the lead. Other horses not even having a chance of winning. Another one of my favourites is the Juddemonte international. 

3) Tiger Roll- His 2018 Grand National win.  Hearts in mouths as he approached the final few jumps. There were fallers all over. He managed to stay up and in that moment alone I knew he'd win. The first double Grand National winner since Red Rum in 1973/74.

4)  Frodon- I have a massive soft spot for this horse. His effort in the Ryanair chase at Cheltenham last year is one of racing's unforgettable memories. After leading near enough whole way it looked like Aso would beat him. However, Frodon refused to give up after jumping well throughout. Realistically he should never have won that class of race but it makes him more loveable. Jockey Bryony Frost's interview after is also one that will always stick in my mind. 

5) Enable- Controversial I know because of the failings in the Arc.  I believe she's one of the best horses today despite her failings in the Arc. She's versatile in her running making her even more of a threat. Her performance in the King George VI and Queen Anne Stakes 2019, with her pace and battling against Crystal Ocean was simply breath-taking. 

Here some of my favourites. What are yours? 

How will coronavirus Impact racing?

We had the sad update that racing would be cancelled earlier this week.

After firstly saying it would take place behind closed door due to coronavirus. Realistically this is for the best. Just a shame especially with the big meetings coming up.

Irish racing first announced that they'd be racing behind closed doors, the first meeting being Dundalk. The images from the racecourse make it look like a ghost town. This was followed by Kelso. It was thought that all racing would go to be like this; instead it has been closed down.

It's uncertain as to when this will be lifted. These closures came after the rumour mill saying there was hope for the Lincoln meeting, the start of the flat and one of the biggest days of the calendar. Even if it's not open for the mass public, each owner would have reportedly receive one badge per horse instead of the normal complimentary six.

A bigger blow was the Grand National being cancelled. This much anticipated meeting due to the sheer number of tickets sold isn't happening. People all had the same question on the tip of their tongues: will Tiger Roll complete the treble. Gordon Elliot has however said it's more than likely he will come back next year.

The impact of the coronavirus on racing has suffered a big backlash as not only are caterers losing money. The bigger chains of bookmakers can take the hit but there's much concern for independent old style bookmakers with their stands, as without punters there will be economic issues. There are serious worries for the people in the yards as they simply have to turn up to work to look after the horses. The horses also are raring to go but can't.

This is a very uncertain time for everyone, even those who aren't in the industry. We can only hope that racing will return as soon as it's safe to. Ireland are still continuing behind closed doors giving us racing enthusiasts some rest bite.