John Randall

2 weeks ago | racingpost.com | Andrew Dietz |John Randall

Jockey-turned-sculptor Philip Blacker has fondly remembered his times with the Earl of Donoughmore and the journey on which Ruby Tiger took them following the death of the star mare's former co-owner at the age of 97. Donoughmore, born Michael Hely-Hutchinson, who died on April 25, was a doctor and businessman who helped to develop the Perdio transistor radio into a craze of the 1960s, and he also made waves in racing, most notably with the prolific globetrotter Ruby Tiger.

1 month ago | racingpost.com | Peter Thomas |John Randall

On Thursday, the end of the war in Europe will be remembered with a flurry of beacon lighting, a flypast or two, an outpouring of national pride and, no doubt, a pouring of many pints way past normal licensing hours.

2 months ago | racingpost.com | Andrew Dietz |Catherine Macrae |John Randall

The record books will always show Ifor Lewis, who died last month, as the trainer of 1961 Welsh Grand National winner Limonali. The truth is rather more complicated and says much about gender politics at the time. Limonali was in fact trained by Posy Lewis at a time when women were not allowed to hold a training licence. Indeed, Posy Lewis won the race twice with Limonali, her brother Clem Morel having been on the licence in 1959.

Feb 15, 2025 | racingpost.com | Andrew Dietz |John Randall

Scottish rugby international John Douglas has been fondly remembered for his role in his country's first Grand National success with Rubstic in 1979. Douglas, who died aged 90 last month, was the ultimate sportsman, gaining 12 caps for Scotland, representing the British Lions and also an accomplished boxer and golfer. Born in Woolwich, London, the son of a military man, Douglas spent part of his childhood in South Africa, where he visited Durban racecourse.

Jan 8, 2025 | racingpost.com | John Randall

When Jimmy Carter died recently at the age of 100, it might well have marked the end of an era when it comes to racing’s links to the highest offices. The former US president was not renowned as a racing fan but did once jointly own a runner in the Preakness Stakes. Flag Admiral was bred by Tom Gentry, one of the most prominent horsemen in Kentucky, and still owned solely by him when winning an allowance race at Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Derby undercard in 1983.