A Wonderful Ascot Of Near Misses…
Only 12,000 lucky people each day were able to be at Ascot this year but in many ways it was one of the best ever, writes Jason Fildes of Highclere. Photography: Steven Cargill
Ascot is always the finest flat racing festival but this year it was also a return to the sort of racing experience we once took for granted.
As an official ‘test event’, everyone had taken a Covid test prior to arrival so, once in the racecourse there was no need for social distancing and limited use of masks. It meant an almost ‘normal’ return to meeting old friends, sharing a tip, having fun and a few drinks together while enjoying superb racing. And that’s before the party at the bandstand started after it was all over each day!
Highclere had seven runners at the meeting, which meant that over 100 owners could be present. Every day there was a Tattinger picnic in the car park before racing so everyone could meet up and have a couple of nerve-settling sharpeners.
It was so good to see owners from all over the country who we had only been able to be in touch with via Zoom and phone over the last year.
Suddenly we were all there together again in party mode and sharing the excitement of having a runner in a big race.
Although we didn’t have a winner, Title and Parachute both finished third, Thunderous was a mighty fourth in the Hardwicke Stakes and Cachet fifth in the Albany Stakes.
All of them ran with huge credit and will certainly be winning other races throughout the summer.
We are hoping to have a big team of runners at the Ebor meeting at York in August – there are also plans for more Highclere picnics during the four days. Flat racing is a fabulous, sociable sport and we’re certainly going to make the most of it now we’re allowed to!
Highclere – Jason Fildes
01200 444622
07721 311778
jason@highclere.co.uk
highclereracing.co.uk
