SHARPE MIND: The Legend’s Last

In this week’s SHARPE MIND blog, where sports betting PR legend GRAHAM SHARPE aims to bring you a rundown of Sensational, Hard to believe, Amusing, Remarkable, Pertinent & Entertaining events which have happened over the years in the worlds of racing and betting during each specific week of the year, he digs out some of the golden moments from the week between 31 January and 6 February.

---

JANUARY 31, 2021…LESTER NEEDLED………The Racing Post reported that Lester Piggott, 85, had received a covid vaccination in Switzerland, where he lives, telling his son Jamie that ‘’he felt a bit strange as he was the only one there without a walking stick.“

JANUARY 31, 1991……FOXY LADY….Julie Krone finished 2nd on 30/1 Quilma at Gulfstream Park today in 1991 despite having to jump a fox laying on the course sunning itself….AND the trifecta for the race, which had a 46/1 winner and 31/1 third, paid a record 96,751/1 dividend.

FEBRUARY 1, 1983………SAVED BY HIS BOOTS…..Unbeaten in five starts, hurdler The Grey Bomber was electrocuted whilst being ridden out from Denys Smith’s stables, after gales brought down cables, and contact between horseshoe and road surface created sparks which triggered a current. Rider Tommy Nevin was caved by his rubber-soled boots.

FEBRUARY 1, 1993……VERSATILE VICTOR……Kovalevskia completed a quick fire, unusual treble by winning over 2miles on the flat at Southwell, having won over hurdles at Lingfield on grass on Jan 25, and on Southwell’s all-weather hurdle course on Jan 27.

FEB 2, 2021…DAN PHILS HIS BOOTS…… Newcomer, Punxsutawney Phil was backed from 13-2 to 9-2 at Newcastle, and duly obliged with an apt coincidence win – given that the date, February 2 is the very one celebrated in the film Groundhog Day, which is based around the North American tradition which suggests that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on February 2 and sees its shadow it will return to its den, and winter will be extended by six weeks; if not, spring is set to arrive early. The movie ceremony in Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray, involves ‘Punxsutawney Phil’ in Pennsylvania – and it just happens to be the favourite movie of owner-breeder Dan Gilbert, who claimed that launching the career of the Brian Ellison-trained four-year-old on February 2 was a pure coincidence.

FEBRUARY 2, 1983…….A TOTE DOUBLE……The Tote announced a new minimum stake in all racecourses enclosures of £1 – a 100% increase from the 50p minimum in place since 1975.

FEBRUARY 3, 1990…….THE LEGEND’S LAST……All-time great jockey, Bill Shoemaker, 15 times US Champion, retired aged 58 with 8833 winners to his credit from 40,350 mounts, after finishing 4th on Patchy Groundfog in the Legend’s Last Ride Handicap at Santa Anita.

FEBRUARY 3, 1996…..KIEREN KICKING OUT……Kieren Fallon was fined £100 and banned for one day for ‘pushing and kicking’ another rider after finishing runner-up in the Calcutta St Leger.

FEB 4, 1977…..…E.T.SETS RECORD…….In 1977, when Tampa Bay Downs racecourse was known as Florida Downs, trainer E.T. Clark won with a record-setting nine consecutive starters from Jan. 28-Feb. 4.

FEBRUARY 4, 1994………..NUTTY EXCUSE?….After his runner Toughnuttocrack finished last of 12 at Lingfield today in 1994, trainer John Panvert claimed his horse had been ‘poisoned by the all-weather track.’

FEBRUARY 5, 1998………….GOING SLOW……After nine years during which the going was only ever declared as ‘Standard’ for Lingfield’s all-weather surface, today in 1998 it was given as ‘Slow’.

FEBRUARY 5, 1926……SCEPTRE CROWNED THE GREATEST…….The filly, Sceptre, who was the only winner of four Classics, died at Exning Stud in Newmarket. In 1902 she won the 1000 Guineas, the Oaks and the St Leger, and dead-heated in the 2000 Guineas – but she was fourth in the Derby.

FEBRUARY 6, 1885…………….NORTHAMPTON AT THE DOUBLE…..Northampton came to Plumpton on Feb 6, 1885 – and the horse of that name won twice during the afternoon – under two different jockeys – Messrs Nightingall and Abington.

FEBRUARY 6, 1992……PASSING THE BUCKS……Racecourse car park ‘tipsters’, Alexander Buck – one year – and son Clifford Buck – 3 years – were warned off of all racecourses and Jockey Club properties.

AND FINALLY…….FOR PETE’S SAKE!……..Trainer Peter Grayson seemed to have a decent chance of sending out the winner of the 5f maiden race at Lingfield on Feb 2, 2008 – as he was saddling 6 of the 9 runners. He helpfully indicated to punters that Stoneacre Chris was his best chance of winning – not a bad each-way tip as the 20/1 shot finished second…… behind only 40/1 winner Stoneacre Pat – trained by, er, Peter Grayson.

GRAHAM SHARPE

---

STAR PROMOTIONS

<</a