Nebraas’ place in the Hollywoodbets Durban July final field would likely have depended on how much importance the final field panelists’ placed on the July log. (Candiese Lenferna Photography).

HWB July Log – How Important Is It?

Sean Tarry commented today (Monday) that if the Hollywoodbets Durban July log meant anything then Nebraas should safely be in the top 18 in Tuesday’s final field announcement, which will be held at Hollywoodbets’ Umhlanga offices.

The live broadcast of the announcement starts at 11 a.m.

Tarry pointed to the Vercingetorix six-year-old gelding Nebraas having been placed above Pacaya in the final July log and neither had run since.

He added, “Last year he did not get in because he was deemed to be a stayer, so therefore his unplaced run in a 3200m race in his last run should be meaningless and his middle distance form this season has been impeccable.”

Pacaya’s connections would probably counter by saying that although Pacaya had not run since the final July log publication, his form had been given a big boost when Winchester Mansion came out and easily won the Gr 3 Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial by 3,10 lengths.

Pacaya gave Wincester Mansion 2kg and a beating in the Gr 2 WSB 1900 in his last start.

Pacaya and Winchester Mansion are the joint third favourites for the big race and their supporters would also point out that the two races they won, the WSB 1900 and the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Cup Trial, are races whose winner is respectively given preferential consideration for inclusion in the final field.

However, a question attached to that point is does the final field mean the top 18 or the top 20, which includes two reserves?

Last year the Cup Trial winner, Airways Law, was only made first reserve, although he did get a run due to the subsequent scratching of Zapatillas and he proved a point by running sixth.

Jimmy Don was precariously placed in position 18 on the final log and trainer Erico Verdonese took the risk of running him in the Gr 3 Jubilee Stakes on June 11.

He only finished fifth and was beaten four lengths and that could provide an excuse for the final field panelists to leapfrog the like of Nebraas, Pacaya and Winchester Mansion over him.

Jimmy Don’s connections could counter by saying their horse beat Billy Bowlegs in the Gr 1 WSB SA Classic and the latter was number 16 on the final log.

Billy Bowlegs’s connections would counter by saying on a line through Puerto Manzano, Billy Bowlegs’ close fourth place finish in his last run in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge was way superior to Jimmy Don’s performance in the Jubilee.

Silver Darling’s connections, if told their filly was going to be dropped on the grounds of two Gr 1 thirds but no wins for the whole season, would counter by saying she comfortably beat Rain In Holland in the Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes.

If Time Flies is under pressure to be dropped their connections would point out she beat Silver Darling when second in the Gr 1 Woolavington and was only

beaten 1,30 lengths by Rain In Holland.

If Second Base was under pressure on the grounds of just one good run the whole season the connections’ argument would be that run i.e. a short-head second in the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge, was enough to earn him 13th place on the final log.

This article gives an inkling of how difficult the final field panelists’ task is.

The final field would have already been decided by the time this article is being read.

The winners of the automatic qualifying races were See It Again, Puerto Manzano, Rain In Holland, Son Of Raj and Bless My Stars.

The remaining horses vying for 13 places in the top 18 plus two reserves were Trip Of Fortune, Do It Again, Safe Passage, Pomp And Power, Dave The King, Rascallion, Second Base, Without Question, Billy Bowlegs, Times Flies, Silver Darling, Jimmy Don, Nebraas, Pacaya, Winchester Mansion, Electric Gold, Union Square and Aragosta.

“July Fever” is usually preceded by the post-final field announcement gripes and this year will probably be no different.

Louvre, the dam of Hollywoodbets Durban July topweight Trip Of Fortune, was the highest priced lot on the sale and was sold by Drakenstein Stud to Philaris Ltd for R900,000 (Wayne Marks Photography)

Cape Winter Sale Yields A Warm Set Of Results

Vendors and buyers were warmly hosted while icy cold weather persisted at Friday’s Cape Racing Winter and Mixed Sale at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. Their enthusiasm reflected in some spirited bidding at the calls of auctioneers Andrew Miller and Tom Hodgson.

The Sale’s R12,47-million aggregate was nicely spread among a variety of buyers for its impressive offering of yearlings, weanlings and broodmares. They included Jono Snaith, who topped the buyers list with R1,31-million for four Lots including Louvre (Doowaley), the dam of G1 winner Trip Of Fortune, acquired for an international client.

Snaith also bought Lot 72 Blue Ribbon Bay, a colt by the United States, for R500,000 and Lot 168, a Gimmethegreenlight colt out of the well-performed Sabina Park, for R450,000.

Said Snaith: “This sale showed a resurgence in the buyers bench. I saw a few old faces coming from the woodwork. It was encouraging and I believe the interest was revived as a result of Cape Racing’s latest incentives. The venue was beautifully renovated, the atmosphere was good and we enjoyed ourselves. This is the way of the future for bloodstock auction sales, and Cape Town remains the ideal city to host them.”

Anton Shepherd of Beaumont Stud shared Snaith’s views and said: “I was massively surprised by the turnout considering the timing of the Sale, which showed that Cape Racing delivered what buyers wanted. We are truly pleased with the way it was organised and with our results achieved.” Beaumont sold seven lots for R870,000, averaging R124,286 per lot. They included a R180,000 VAR filly (Lot 19) purchased by trainer Paul Reeves. Greg Ennion, Paddy Kruyer and Eric Sands were others active in bidding on selected lots.

There was a lot of interest in Lot 110, Ntinga, a Dynasty broodmare from the potent Viva Maria family, sold for R500,000 in foal to Rafeef, and secured for Boland Stud by Eugene Freeman.

A good number of mares were snapped up below value. Katerina Riley of Gauteng’s Heversham Park, who secured six mares and two weanlings for just R120,000, commented: “We got more or less exactly what we came for, including mares by Trippi and Jet Master. We are very excited as we have been planning to boost our broodmare band for our new resident stallion, Capetown Noir, also for Jackson and Moofeed. This was a lovely sale with wonderful hospitality.”

Justin Vermaak, Racing and Bloodstock Executive for Cape Racing, commented: “Yearlings at the sale average R105,000 with an R80,000 median, up on last year’s average of around R80,000. Things were obviously tougher on the mare side which brought the overall average down to under R100,000, but vendors and buyers achieved satisfactory outcomes.”

In overview, 129 lots of 169 offered were sold at an average of R96,667, with a median of R60,000.

Vermaak concluded: “We’re committed to make the sales experience even better and we look forward to our next auction, the Ready To Run and Unbroken and Horses-In-Training Sale on Sunday, 22 October, at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.

Runaway Song wins the Gr 3 Track & Ball Derby (Candiese Lenferna)

Runaway Song Sings Right Tune – None Other Now A Dual Oaks Winner

Andrew Harrison (Gold Circle)

Dean Kannemeyer is no stranger to training stayers, having trained three winners of the Gr3 Gold Cup and Runaway Song, restricted to a mile under his previous trainer, stepped up to the traditional Derby distance with aplomb as he cruised home in the Gr3 Track & Ball Derby. Kannemeyer is also a very good judge of a jockey having signed up Keagan de Melo as stable rider.

With De Melo heading for Hong Kong in September Craig Zackey will fill his boots, but until then the champion jockey elect continues on his merry way with a four-timer at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.

The Derby was run at no great gallop but ‘honest’ according to De Melo, and he was content to sit in the dicky seat for most of the race as Salvator Mundi dictated.

Aragosta, always handy, tried to make a race of it as the field swung for home but De Melo was sitting with a double handful and Runaway Song simply quickened past his rivals to win as he liked.

There were only six runners in the race so the form may prove suspect but Runaway Song quickened like a good horse and should he be entered for the Gr3 Gold Vase or Gr3 Gold Cup, he will be a big runner.

Lucky Houdalakis made his trip from the Highveld worth his while as he recorded a double with Dreamland, under De Melo romping to a comfortable win and None Other turning the tables on her Gr1 Woolavington 2000 rivals as S’ Manga Khumalo delivered his filly with a well-time challenge to hold off a late-charging Dawnofanewday to deny Kannemeyer the feature double.

Also impressive on the day was the performance by Isivunguvungu. Richard Fourie rode a confident race on Peter Muscutt’s sprinter and once asked for maximum the gelding responded smartly, drawing clear of the opposition. Not quite as head-strong as in the past, he settled nicely and quickened when asked.

Restricted mainly to 1000m because of his tearaway style, he should now easily get a further furlong and the Gr1 Mercury Sprint must be high on his agenda.

Knockout continued her steady improvement with a comfortable victory in the first. Shifting in from her outside draw, JP Van der Merwe always had things under control in spite of his mount looking around and she kept going well to hold off first-timer Twinklelittlestar who was also learn what racing is all.

De Melo got the phone call early on Friday morning that he had been accepted to ride in Hong Kong next season and he also got a late call-up from Paul Lafferty to partner Question Of Faith with Muzi Yeni indisposed.

Showing plenty of pace from the jump, De Melo had to work hard to keep the colt going but he stuck gamely to his task, holding off Gorgeous Guy with Yannakis weakening late.

Lancaster Bomber is proving to be a loss to the breeding industry as his progeny continue to catch the eye and Dreamland made good on his narrow second at his previous start with a bloodless victory in the third. It was a quick double for De Melo who waited until well past the 400m mark before asking for maximum and his mount quickened away in a matter of strides.

De Melo, again replacing Yeni, took no prisoners on Southern Cape, taking Lafferty’s runner to the front and staying there. He let all move up to challenge but once again waited almost until the last furlong before asking for maximum and the filly responding.

It was good practice for Hong Kong where they seldom hang around.

Beechamwood Boy has come to life this season and recorded his fourth win from his last six starts. Wendy Whitehead has done a remarkable job but gelding was obviously the key to his improved performance as the sons of Eightfold Path are not always the easiest to handle.

There were plenty in with chances approaching the final furlong with favourite USA’s Hope in contention but he proved to be a difficult ride for De Melo who was hunting his fourth straight win as Calvin Habib punched through the middle on Beechamwood Boy.

Chaldean (Timeform)

Guineas Winners Chaldean And Paddington Clash In St James’s Palace

Flat Turf, Group 1

Going:Good

Runners:9

Class:1

Distance:1m

The St James’s Palace Stakes is at its best as a race when it pits the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas winners against each other.

Representing the Newmarket form we have Chaldean, who put an inauspicious start to his Classic campaign behind him – he unseated coming out of the stalls in the Greenham – to run out an authoritative winner of the season’s first Classic. Royal Scotsman (third), Galeron (fourth), Charyn (eighth) and Indestructible (tenth) all represent that formline.

The big question when it comes to Juddmonte’s impressive Dewhurst and Guineas winner is the ground. So far he has not raced on anything faster than good and both his runs this season have come on soft, but his trainer Andrew Balding does not envision a quicker surface posing a problem should the showers stay away.

He said: “I’ve been very happy with him since the Guineas and we’re hoping he’ll be there in the best form we can get him. I’d like to think all ground comes alike to him.

“He’s only raced on slow surfaces so far, apart from when it was on the quick side at York last season, but he’s a good-actioned horse and I can’t see it being a problem. You’re not going to find easy Group 1s but I think the opposition have him to beat and we’re looking forward to it.”

Paddington, unbeaten in three starts this season, was best of those who ran at the Curragh. Of those who reoppose he did not beat Charyn (fourth) or Galeron (fifth) as far as Chaldean did at Newmarket, but the underperforming favourite Royal Scotsman (ninth) was beaten further – as was Newmarket runner-up Hi Royal, who was third at the Curragh, beaten a length further.

Aidan O’Brien has faith in his latest star and said: “He’s progressing lovely and everything has gone well since the Irish Guineas.

“We were delighted with him there as it was obviously a big step up in class from anything he had contested previously and he coped with it.

“This has been the plan ever since and he’s done everything nicely at home. Everyone is very happy with him.”

What they say

Roger Varian, trainer of Charyn
We’ve been happy with him since what I thought was a good run in Ireland. He was tight for room at a crucial moment and he could have maybe run second or third on that day. His run in the Greenham was a solid one and we then put a line through the Guineas at Newmarket when it was very soft ground and the high numbers didn’t really get involved in the race. He bounced back nicely at the Curragh, and while he’s one of the outsiders he’s very solid and very tough. I’m sure he’ll turn up and run his race and hopefully he can sneak on to the podium.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Cicero’s Gift and Galeron
Cicero’s Gift is a very short price for what he’s done, but what he’s done has been impressive. It’s been the aim to come here since Goodwood. He was mightily impressive and surprised me there, so he’s exciting. He doesn’t overdo himself at home but it was nice to see his lead horse [Saxon King] win on Saturday [at Chester]. He’s against proper, proven horses so it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on, but we hope he’s a Group 1 horse and we’re going to find out. Galeron is a big price and could certainly run into the three – he looks an absolute picture.

Karl Burke, trainer of Indestructible
The ground was a bit of a disaster for most of the field in the Guineas, but more than anything it was probably too close to the Craven. He needs a nice break and he’s been trained specifically for Royal Ascot, which is why we swerved all the other Guineas. He goes there in a good form and I think he’s entitled to take a shot.

Brian Meehan, trainer of Isaac Shelby

Everything’s really good with him, he’s in great shape and I’m looking forward to it. He ran really well in France, he’s come on for that and we wouldn’t be going if I wasn’t really happy with him.

John Gosden, joint-trainer of Mostabshir
He ran a decent race in the Craven on his first start this season but the ground was softer than he’d have liked. He came on for it and then won impressively at York. It’s a big jump for a novice straight into the St James’s Palace, taking on both Guineas winners and the best three-year-old milers in Europe, but he deserves to step forward. He’s always looked a talented horse.

Paul Cole, trainer of Royal Scotsman
He’s working really well. We obviously had a foot issue from his trip to Ireland. It was hard to get to the bottom of it but he picked up a bruised foot. He seems in tip-top form here and he’ll run a big, big race. He’s a very, very good horse.

Greg Cheyne extracts a late rattle from Faro De Sa Juan to get up in a six furlong handicap at Chester (via Facebook)

Cunha And Cheyne Pounce With 25/1 Shot At Chester

Newmarket-based Dylan Cunha’s rise in fortunes in an ultra competitive environment continued when he sent out former France-based horse Faro De San Juan (Almanzor) to win a six furlong handicap at Chester on Saturday ridden by fellow South African ex-pat Greg Cheyne despite starting odds of 25/1.

Cheyne extracted a flying finish from the four-year-old gelding on the ultra tight track to land the first prize of £6,115.20 for owners Quest Thoroughbreds & Jack Thomas.

Cunha goes to seven wins overall in his time in England, achieved at a strike rate of 13%, but six of those wins have come this season and he has done it at a high 21% strike rate.

His charge Silver Sword is still standing his ground in Saturday’s lucrative Golden Gate Stakes over one mile and two furlongs at the Royal Ascot meeting, in which the first prize is £51,540.

Cheyne rode the three-year-old Silver Sword to second place in a handicap on Epsom Derby day and will no doubt retain the ride.

Silver Sword has an ante-post quote of 16/1 but 45 horses are still standing their ground and only 16 will be allowed to run.

Cheyne has had three wins in eleven rides in the UK for a strike rate of 27%.

Paul Henderson has quit training after 141 winners in both codes over 18 years and he will now take up horse dentistry (Racing Post)

The Best Quotes From The Racing World This Week

The Racing Post

We’re competing with our horses, which cost 10,000gns, against those costing somewhere between 50,000 and 200,000gns. We’ve just been priced out.
Paul Henderson explains why he’s quitting the sport after an 18-year training career

‘We’ve been priced out’ – Paul Henderson quits training after 18 years

It’s soul destroying. I do accept that I breached the rules but I didn’t anticipate it was going to be as harsh a penalty as it was.
Paula Muir speaks out after being handed a 35-day totting-up ban by the BHA’s disciplinary panel

‘It’s soul destroying’ – 42, 35, 25 and 21-day whip bans handed out as jockeys suffer for breaching new rules

It’s looking like our strongest ever Royal Ascot team. It’s great to be in that position and it adds to the pressure of it all. We had two winners last season and if we can beat that I’ll be very happy.
Karl Burke is upbeat about his chances at Royal Ascot

‘We’ve got four or five very good chances’ – Karl Burke hoping to take Royal Ascot by storm with strongest team

I know that this horse at his best was the best stayer in the world – if he can be in that kind of form then the opposition is in many ways irrelevant.
Trainer Charlie Johnston believes an in-form Subjectivist would be the one to beat in Royal Ascot’s Gold Cup

‘If Subjectivist is in the same form as two years ago then the Gold Cup opposition is irrelevant’

I don’t believe it was a bad ride. I was trying to follow Ryan Moore on Kyprios but he got first run. If I had ridden the race differently I would have ended up being stuck behind the outsiders. I had to ride Stradivarius to beat the horse I knew I had to beat. It’s as simple as that.
Frankie Dettori defends his controversial ride on Stradivarius in last year’s Gold Cup

‘I don’t believe it was bad’ – Frankie Dettori defends controversial Stradivarius ride before Royal Ascot swansong

It’s always a bit of a blow but that’s racing. The owners pay the bills and have every right to have whoever they want.
Sean Levey on being jocked off Isaac Shelby in the St James’s Palace Stakes in favour of William Buick

‘It’s a blow but that’s racing’ – Sean Levey philosophical as jockey loses Isaac Shelby ride to William Buick

It’s every owner’s dream. We’ve run in Group 1s before but never had a favourite and it’s new ground for Coltrane. It’s a bit daunting but it’s what everyone is in racing for and we’re enjoying it.

Coltrane’s owner Mick Mariscotti expresses his excitement at having the Gold Cup favourite

‘It’s new territory for us’ – Coltrane’s owner counting down the days to Ascot Gold Cup

Paddington has been tipped by the At The Races tipster to win the Gr 1 St. James’s Palace Stakes. Credit: Patrick McCann

Royal Ascot Meeting Day 1 Tuesday 20 June Tips

1 3:30 PM (SA Time) – Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Str)

The globetrotting Modern Games returned to home soil with a decisive win in the Lockinge at Newbury last month, where he had the reopposing Chindit (second) in behind. A classy sort, the son of Dubawi should be thereabouts at the business end, but preference is for INSPIRAL. The champion two-year-old rounded off her three-year-old campaign with a below-par effort in the Queen Elizabeth II, but that performance can be excused given she blew the start. John & Thady Gosden’s charge looks to have been laid out for this and the fillies’ allowance could prove vital. Native Trail has yet to repeat the achievements of his juvenile campaign, but he’s closely matched with the principals on official ratings and isn’t out of this, while Cash could outrun his lengthy odds.

Top Tip: INSPIRAL (12)

Watch out for: MODERN GAMES (7)

2 4:05 PM (SA Time) – Coventry Stakes (Group 2)

With 17 of the 22 runners successful last time out and no favourite scoring since 2019, the winner will need to be well above average and that points to the chances of ASADNA. He strolled home by 12 lengths at Ripon and clocked some decent fractions that day on his only start, so he may prove too good for the short-priced River Tiber, who has won both races so far and represents Aidan O’Brien, who has won three of the last 10 renewals of this contest. Wesley Ward’s speedy Fandom is another to consider, while the booking of Frankie Dettori on Givemethebeatboys for Mrs John Harrington also catches the eye.

Top Tip: ASADNA (3)

Watch out for: RIVER TIBER (17)

3 4:40 PM (SA Time) – King’s Stand Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

The King’s Stand serves up a fascinating contest, with 19 runners from four different countries lining up to wage war over the minimum trip. Highfield Princess completed a Group 1 hat-trick last term and gave a good account when conceding weight all round to finish runner-up in the Duke Of York Stakes last time out. The six-year-old mare is a worthy favourite, but marginal preference goes to the progressive MANACCAN, who could have more to come. Despite being drawn away from the winner, the John Ryan-trained colt took another step forward to finish third in the Palace House Stakes and he may go close on this preferred sounder surface. Coolangatta arrives after claiming Group 1 honours at Flemington and is worthy of consideration, while Twilight Gleaming finished second over course and distance in the Queen Mary in 2021 and completes the shortlist.

Top Tip: MANACCAN (6)

Watch out for: HIGHFIELD PRINCESS (12)

4 5:20 PM (SA Time) – St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Rnd)

Although Chaldean was the comfortable winner of the 2000 Guineas last month, he may need to improve again if he wants to get the better of PADDINGTON, who took the Irish equivalent with similar aplomb. On a line through Royal Scotsman, beaten two lengths at Newmarket but seven lengths adrift at the Curragh, Ryan Moore’s mount might have the edge, though both could still have much more to offer. Isaac Shelby was beaten into second in a photo finish in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) and is another who warrants plenty of respect, leaving the unbeaten Cicero’s Gift and impressive York Novice winner Mostabshir needing to improve if they want to figure.

Top Tip: PADDINGTON (8)

Watch out for: CHALDEAN (1)

5 6:00 PM (SA Time) – Ascot Stakes (Heritage Handicap)

Bring On The Night hasn’t been seen since chasing home the talented Coltrane in this race last year and he looks a worthy favourite from 4lb higher, in what is teed up to be a typically wide-open renewal. A Listed winner over timber on his latest outing, Ahorsewithnoname merits respect back in this sphere, while Law Of The Sea, who is now 1lb better off with his Haydock conqueror Solent Gateway, can be in the thick of things too. Preference, however, is for NOVEL LEGEND. Second to the reopposing Zinc White in last month’s Chester Plate, James Fanshawe’s unexposed stayer is taken to reverse that form and confirm earlier promise shown over this marathon trip.

Top Tip: NOVEL LEGEND (15)

Watch out for: BRING ON THE NIGHT (5)

6 6:35 PM (SA Time) – Wolferton Stakes (Listed)

Francesco Clemente failed to maintain his unbeaten record when being denied by a small margin at Goodwood on seasonal reappearance last month, but the son of Dubawi remains lightly raced and may take another step forward in this contest with the addition of cheekpieces. However, it may pay dividends to side with the Aidan O’Brien-trained BOLSHOI BALLET, who bounced back to form when beaten a neck into third in the Al Rayyan Stakes. The five-year-old is a Grade 1 winner over this trip and he gets the nod to record a fifth career victory now eased in grade. Cadillac was runner-up in this contest last year and demands the utmost respect after relishing a sounder surface to land the spoils at Epsom on his latest outing.

Top Tip: BOLSHOI BALLET (5)

Watch out for: FRANCESCO CLEMENTE (9)

7 7:10 PM (SA Time) – Copper Horse Handicap

With winners at 16/1 and 33/1 in the last two runnings of this race, things may not be quite as clear cut as they appear but it remains difficult to oppose favourite VAUBAN for the Willie Mullins/Ryan Moore combination. Last seen on the Flat winning at Vichy for his previous trainer, he has won three times over hurdles since and finished second in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Punchestown last time out. Rated 160 over hurdles but just 101 on the Flat, he looks very well handicapped. Ruling Dynasty is improving with experience and strolled home at Haydock, so he could be the biggest danger now upped in trip, while the Group-placed Point King and the unexposed Absurde are others for the shortlist.

Top Tip: VAUBAN (7)

Watch out for: RULING DYNASTY (14)

Siphesihle Hlengwa (Candiese Lenferna Photography)

Hlengwa, Wright Doubles

Apprentice Siphesihle Hlengwa rode a double on the Hollywoodbets Polytrack today and Alyson Wright saddled a double.

Hlengwa goes to 42 wins for the season and has done it at a strike rate of 10.12%.

Wright goes to 43 wins at 12.99%.

The KZN Trainers Championship is still alive.

Garth Puller leads with 57 wins in KZN this season and he is followed by Michael Roberts and Peter Muscutt on 49 each, reigning champion Gareth van Zyl on 48, Wendy Whitehead on 45 and Alyson Wright on 42.

Kenilworth Meeting Postponed to Thursday

A clue to the answer is given above (Getty Images).

Today’s Question

What prompted the Duke of Bedford to write in 1752 that when arriving in London ’I could find no soul to dine or sup with.’

Question answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Racing at Ascot became secure in 1813 when Parliament passed an Act of Enclosure. This Act ensured that Ascot Heath, although the property of the Crown, would be kept and used as a racecourse for the public in the future. (Artist, 1818).

ANSWER TO TODAY’S QUESTION

By 1752 the popularity of attending the racing at Ascot was becoming apparent in social circles, prompting the Duke of Bedford to write that when arriving in London ’I could find no soul to dine or sup with.’ The extra entertainments laid on for 18th century racegoers included cockfighting, prize-fighting, gaming tents, jugglers, ballad singers, ladies on stilts and freak shows.