pleased to be wrong.

​I suppose the sport won the ‘battle of Epsom Downs’, though it might be described as a pyric victory; a victory for the iron-fist of a court injunction. The precedent of having to go to the High Court to ensure a sporting event takes place without interruption by people protesting an issue for the purpose of gaining publicity and news coverage is a precipice of unimaginable financial cost. Lawful, peaceful protest, must not be lost in a country of true democracy, yet the activists of Stop Oil and Animal Rising could easily become the excuse for governments around the world to ban all forms of protest. In their ignorance, Animal Rising may well be facilitating ‘the need for an act of parliament’.
The sight of armed police at a British racecourse was quite chilling. Epsom Derby Day is usually a pretty picture of British people at play, a throwback to the time when the Derby stopped, if not a nation, at least, the capital city of that nation. Indeed, Epsom on Derby Day always used to remind me of the origins of the sport when horse racing truly did mingle with ‘all the fun of the fair’ on important festival days in local calendars. Yesterday’s scene was far removed from a ‘pretty picture’ with security fencing, men and women in high-vis tabards and a regiment of police on high alert for anyone wearing a pink t-shirt. The triumph in Ed Chamberlain’s voice came across as hollow as a brandy snap where I was lounging. 
I remain convinced that if I.T.V. gave Animal Rising a ten-minute platform to air their aims, the public would see through them. Viewers watching I.T.V. will contain a high number with a dog or dogs at their feet, cats on many laps and parrots and cockatoos making themselves known in the background. Veganism verges on the evil, when taken to the extreme views of Animal Rising. In truth, it is not people who must rethink their association with animals but society rethinking their association with extremists intent on pressurising government into actions that benefit no one and, in this instance, will make extinct not only the thoroughbred racehorse but all varieties of cats and dogs. If veganism was natural, our ancestors would have been purely fruit-eaters and lions, tigers and crocodiles would be seen in petting zoos alongside rabbits and goats. I, by the way, eat very little meat and our oven would be mystified to have beef, lamb or pork to cook.

The Derby itself was interesting, wasn’t it? I am still to be convinced that Auguste Rodin is a world-beater, though his victory should be taken on-board by trainers too quick to rule out Derby bids just because their ‘big hope’ runs below expectation in a trial. It should be remembered, albeit his legendary status is beyond dispute, that Aidan is not always right when he ‘bigs’ up a Ballydoyle horse. Australia comes to mind, and though Auguste Rodin is now a Derby winner, I wouldn’t go mad on him coming out of Epsom as the best horse in the race as King of Steel looked positively burly in the parade ring and if Kevin Stott could ride his race again, he would, I suspect, hold on to him a little longer as he gave Ryan Moore the perfect lead into the final furlong. There is only natural improvement to come from Auguste Rodin, whereas King of Steel has both natural improvement and an improvement in fitness as a benefit over the next few months. Roger Varian is a stellar trainer but no one, I would contend, could get a 17-hand, 3-year-old colt, absolutely spot-on to the extent it could win a Derby. He might was, perhaps, 95% ready but not the 100% of Auguste Rodin.
Isn’t it time British trainers studied Aidan’s way with his horses? He doesn’t mind them being beaten if they come out of their races in better shape and having learned from the experience. His horses run and run. He achieves long seasons with his 3-year-olds especially as he doesn’t overtrain them early in the season and allows for natural progression. Yes, he has a battalion of purple-bred horses at his disposal, yet, even at Ballydoyle, the percentage of Group 1 horses is quite small. Look at a ‘Horses in Training’ from past years and you’ll see names of horses that are unfamiliar, that never came close to achieving a place in peoples’ memories. The man truly is a walking legend.
The other horse to take out of the Derby this year might be Artistic Star who stayed on like a top stayer for the future. When, and if, White Birch matures, he could improve leaps and bounds as at the moment he leaves his potential entangled with his unstable behaviour.
A very interesting Derby spoiled by the long anticipation of ignorant and selfish protest. It could have been worse, though, couldn’t it?