Sporting Life

A quickfire look back at the racing year of 2017

Horse Racing
Sun December 24, 2017 · 8y ago

An at-a-glance look at another eventful 12 months of news in the racing world.

JANUARY

  • Many Clouds, the 2015 Grand National hero, dies in action at Cheltenham.
  • Last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Don Cossack retired after suffering a setback.
  • Plans announced to shut down Kempton racecourse.

FEBRUARY

  • Barry Geraghty to miss the Cheltenham Festival after injuries suffered in a fall at Kempton.
  • Faugheen and Min ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival.
  • Thistlecrack out for the rest of the season with a tendon problem.

MARCH

  • Sizing John crowned Cheltenham Gold Cup hero.
  • Buveur D'Air soars in Champion Hurdle.
  • Special Tiara towers in Queen Mother Champion Chase.
  • Nichols Canyon peaks in Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
  • Brilliant sprinter Sole Power retired by Eddie Lynam.
  • Arrogate rules in Dubai World Cup at Meydan.

APRIL

  • Altior sensational in the Celebration Chase at Sandown.
  • One For Arthur wins the Grand National at Aintree for Scotland.
  • Our Duke dazzles in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
  • Willie Mullins crowned Irish champion jumps trainer following an almighty fight with Gordon Elliott.

MAY

  • Multiple Group One winners Solow and Postponed retired.
  • Churchill most impressive in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and then in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh.
  • Winter cuts loose in both the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and the fillies' Classic in Ireland.
  • Ribchester leaves Lockinge rivals in a daze at Newbury.

JUNE

  • Highland Reel continues Aidan O'Brien's golden run in Coronation Cup at Epsom.
  • Stablemate Wings Of Eagles a shock winner of the Derby.
  • Enable sensational in the Oaks at Epsom.
  • John Ferguson resigns as chief executive and racing manager of Godolphin.
  • Frankie Dettori misses Royal Ascot with an arm injury.
  • Ribchester, Lady Aurelia, Big Orange, Highland Reel and Barney Roy produce show-stopping performances at Royal Ascot.

JULY

  • Capri does the business in the Irish Derby at the Curragh.
  • Epsom Derby winner Wings Of Eagles retired due to a fractured sesamoid.
  • Champion Hurdle-winning trainer Mercy Rimell dies, aged 98.
  • Ulysses crowned king of the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
  • Harry Angel dazzles in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket.
  • Bryan Cooper loses role as retained rider for Gigginstown House Stud.
  • Enable on a different planet in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

AUGUST

  • Ulysses, Enable and Marsha all emerge with Group One honours at York's Ebor meeting.
  • Stradivarius gamely wins the Goodwood Cup, with Here Comes When a shock winner of the Sussex Stakes
  • Davy Russell embroiled in controversy after he punches a horse at Tramore.

SEPTEMBER

  • Harry Angel simply divine in the Sprint Cup at Haydock.
  • Capri shows class and guts to win the St Leger at Doncaster.
  • The Ayr Gold Cup declared a washout and transferred to Haydock.

OCTOBER

  • Enable on top of the world in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly.
  • Grand National winner One For Arthur ruled out for the season due to a tendon issue.
  • Jimmy Fortune announces his retirement from the saddle.
  • Prince Khalid Abdullah announces that Enable will stay in training next year.
  • Persuasive and Cracksman produce fabulous performances on Champions Day at Ascot.
  • Death announced of well-respected trainer Patrick Haslam.
  • Britain's winning-most female trainer Mary Reveley died, aged 76.
  • Aidan O'Brien secures his record-breaking 26th Group One victory of the year as Saxon Warrior wins the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.

NOVEMBER

  • Classic-winning jockey George Baker said he will not ride again after suffering severe head injuries in February.
  • Rekindling wins the Melbourne Cup for Joseph O'Brien.
  • Bristol De Mai wins the Betfair Chase at Haydock by a thumping 57 lengths.

DECEMBER

  • Total Recall rewards favourite-backers in the Ladbrokes Trophy, formerly the Hennessy Gold Cup.
  • Champion Hurdle hero Buveur D'Air makes a bloodless return in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.
  • Toast Of New York makes a triumphant comeback at Lingfield following an absence of 1,130 days.
  • Teenage sensation Jack Kennedy performs a minor miracle to not only stay aboard Robin Des Mana at Clonmel, but win.
  • Former dual champion trainer Peter Walwyn, the man responsible for Grundy, dies, aged 84.
  • Politologue provides Paul Nicholls with a 10th success in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.
  • Sizing John is back in style in the John Durkan at Punchestown.
  • Hayley Turner is handed a three-month riding suspension for breaching the rules governing betting by jockeys.

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