Anis Etoile to Red Rum

If racing has taught me anything it is to make the most of the good moments as there will always be plenty of bad ones to bring you back down to earth. But it will be a while before I float down from cloud nine after Anis's debut win (pictured here in the parade ring with Seamus Durack wearing the Tri-Nations Partnership colours for the first time). I don't think it's ever been a secret that John has always thought the world of her but when a horse had had a few minor setbacks, as she has in her two and a half years here, there's always a worry in the back of your mind that she simply cannot stand up to the rigours of training. Naturally, we hope for many more memorable days with her - and she seems to have taken her Uttoxeter outing tremendously well - but whatever happens now she can retire a winner. She gave her many owners an absolutely joyous day out and came home safe and sound - for that we are all very thankful.

With all the talk of the mighty duo of Brian and Ben in the racing press this week, it seems the people who run the sport are in search of the magical ingredient to lure more people to come racing. Perhaps attendances are down, the BHA must have the figures, but in the last week I've been racing at Uttoxeter (packed out on a low-grade Sunday jumps card), Exeter (surprisingly large midweek crowd on a wet and foggy day) and Newmarket twice (great attendance both days for what is one of their more run-of-the-mill meetings). Perhaps I'm missing the point but getting people to the races doesn't seem to be the problem. I think the point that is being missed by all but a few of the decision-makers is that while betting, pop concerts, ladies' days, etc., are all very well and important for making racing appeal on a maximum of levels, really racing's greatest asset is the horses and more must be made of these extraordinary creatures.

Admittedly, they are generally with us for longer in the jumping game but the flat has its fair share of perennial stars: Yeats, Sergeant Cecil, Vinnie Roe, Takeover Target (pictured), Quito, Benbaun, to name but a few trusty old stayers and sprinters. And I simply don't believe we can't better 'market' horses of the calibre of New Approach, Dylan Thomas, Ouija Board and co. The only reason I became involved with racing was my love for Red Rum. He lit up my childhood (which involved ponies but no racing otherwise) and his fairy story still brings tears to my eyes. It's the tales of horses such as this (and Phar Lap, Seabiscuit, Takeover Target, Dessie, Overdose, Makybe Diva) that are able to capture the imagination of not just Brian and Ben but Brenda, Bethan, Billie, Bert, Belinda, Bob, Uncle Tom Cobley and many more beyond racing's fringes.

The flames of my Red Rum obsession were fanned once more on Sunday by chance meetings with several characters intrinsically entwined in his story. First up, Richard Pitman, rider of poor vanquished Crisp, Red Rum's first and most famous Grand National victim. Richard was having lunch with his niece in the stable canteen ahead of their run in the charity race and was as jolly and friendly as ever. After Anis's win, the first people to congratulate us were the connections of the runner-up, Empress Orchid, who is trained by Donald McCain Jr. Ginger McCain was also on hand with a big grin on his face as in his broodmare band resides Anis's half-sister Gentian, so another winner in the family has enhanced her stud prospects. Jo McCain, Ginger's daughter, was another jockey on duty in the charity race which she duly won. When quizzed by John as to why she was not wearing Noel Le Mare's famous claret and yellow colours once sported by Red Rum and now owned by her father, she laughed and said: "I'm not worthy". Who is?