One of the problems with a fading memory is that you condition yourself to always question or second guess yourself. For instance, as far as I can, I am a man without form-books, after all, I seek confirmation for too much of which I write as fact. That I may be right more often than not does not take away the fear of being wrong. Another element of an untrustworthy memory is that I must also take as fact what others write. The Racing Post, thankfully, is never wrong in its communication of facts. Though as an example of my rickety memory, I take as fact that the 2022 Ribblesdale at the Royal meeting was won by Magical Lagoon, a filly I have absolutely no recall, even though, apparently, she went on to win the Irish Oaks. I am shocked that I cannot recall a top-class filly from as short a time ago as 4-years but take some solace from the wise words of Homer Simpson. 'When I learn something new, some of the old stuff falls out of the back of my brain.' I have not quoted Homer word for word, you understand, but you get my drift.
It is Irish Oaks day, though they might as well get round to referringto any classic held in Europe as a possible O'Brien family benefit day. In order to keep his employers from penury, Aidan is responsible for 5 out of the 11-runners and Joseph has three of the contenders 3. Perhaps there should be a special prize awarded for the highest placed runner not trained by an O'Brien. It is not impossible that William Haggas might plunder first prize money with Earth Shot, ridden that nice gentleman, James Doyle. Of course, Jim Bolger, a man to always take seriously, might roll back the years and win with Sparan Nua.
After declaring Thundering On the best 3-year-old in Europe after her romp in the Epsom Oaks, I rather need her to put to right her dismal show in the Pretty Polly behind Estrange and several others. The O'Briens mantra is win or learn and Joseph claims to have had a major knowledge input since the Pretty Polly, mainly, I suggest, that this is a filly that needs 12-furlongs and soft ground. She's got one out of two of those variables today, although that might not be enough to beat one of stablemates, let alone Amelia Earhart.
Chester, I hope stimulated by my suggestion that horses drawn wide should receive a weight allowance, has come up with an idea of their own to balance out 'the suppossed draw bias' in sprint races at the course. Owners of horses drawn, for example, in stall 9 that go on to win will get a 9% bonus on top of the win prize-money and those who win from stall ten will receive a bonus of 10% of first-place prize-money. You cannot knock Chester's effort at doing something to stop horses drawn wide being withdrawn after declarations, even if they do not fully accept that there is a draw bias.
Following swiftly after the retirements of Hewick and Sweet William, the sport has suffered another loss from the track with the retirement of Rebel's Romance, the winner of an astonishing 22-races from only 32-starts. His record needs no repetition from me, though I would like to know why the announcement of his retirement was not made after the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket. I thought it odd at the time that William Buick acted and spoke as if he knew it would be the last time he would ride the horse in earnest, while Charlie Appleby, when asked about future plans, was not ruling out that he might run later in the season. Nonetheless, no one would argue against a great horse being retired one race too early, rather than one race too late. I just hope Rebel's Romance gets to enjoy a long and happy retirement.
Also, jockey Henry Brooke has retired, explaining why Jack Tudor announced in the week that he would be riding for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero next season.