- At Ascot on December 21st we were thrilled to see Crambo win the Long Walk Hurdle.
- Then, on New Year's Day, 33,534 people braved a storm to set course for Cheltenham.
- Willie Mullins brought Lossiemouth and Ballyburn from Ireland on Boxing Day
'We cannot have a situation where the best horses avoid each other. Ducking and diving helps no one. All the ingredients are there to produce magic. Those who run the sport need to wake up and realize that it's time to be proud of what we have.'
That paragraph comes from my column here on October 26. I was preparing for my first trip of the winter to Cheltenham and was wondering what direction the season would take.
Three months on, it's exciting to see the campaign progressing beautifully after a spectacular Christmas period.
From Ascot on December 21, with the thrill of Crambo winning the Long Walk Hurdle, to New Year's Day, when 33,534 brave souls braved a storm to be on the road to Cheltenham, there was magic at every turn.
Kempton, for the King George VI Hunt and the return of Constitution Hill, felt like the Kempton of my youth with a crisp, crunchy atmosphere.
I have criticized the field in the past for not making an effort, but this time they cannot be criticized.
A great campaign began at Ascot on December 21, with the thrill of Crambo (pictured) winning the Long Walk Hurdle
Kempton, for the King George VI Hunt and the return from Constitution Hill (pictured), felt like the Kempton of my youth.
Willie Mullins brought Lossiemouth and Ballyburn from Ireland to take on Constitution Hill and Sir Gino on Boxing Day.
The reward was a crowd of more than 14,000 on Boxing Day, 30 per cent more than in 2023. We had an audience approaching a million on ITV, shaped by Willie Mullins bringing Lossiemouth and Ballyburn from Ireland to take on Constitution Hill and Sir Gino.
Willie, in some ways, made Christmas by being so bold. Who expected Ballyburn to take on Sir Gino before the Arkle in March? Nobody.
But wasn't it great to be able to debate each horse's careers and prospects, rather than what we had last year when people ducked and dived?
I'm excited to talk about Sir Gino, as a percentage of what he earns this winter will go to sick children through WellChild Charity. What he did in the Wayward Lad Novices chase to Ballyburn was amazing.
And “amazing” was an appropriate word for the following day at Newbury, where The New Lion, trained by Dan Skelton, drew gasps in the Challow Hurdle from a crowd 48 per cent larger than at the corresponding meeting in 2023.
In Ireland, friends attending the Leopardstown Christmas meeting told me the mood was equally upbeat, with highlights being Galopin Des Champs' play in the Savills Chase and Brighterdaysahead's surprising effort in the Neville Hotels Hurdle.
I expect Brighterdaysahead to tackle Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle with an allocation of 7lb mares.
Who expected Ballyburn (pictured) to take on Sir Gino before the Arkle in March? Nobody
El Nuevo León (pictured), trained by Dan Skelton (pictured, left), caused surprises in the Challow Hurdle among a crowd 48 per cent larger than at the corresponding meeting in 2023.
There will be nine weeks until Tuesday's Festival, but before we turn up the heat on those four days, let's take a look at New Year's Day and that crowd.
It wasn't just about the racing. Off the course, there was mini golf, a surf simulator and all sorts of activities to keep people busy.
And this is the point: if the audience is served, the numbers will come.
On October 26th I said that racing needed to summon the spirit of Bazball. Let's hope it stays ahead.