Just on the off-chance, I delved into my well-thumbed tower of vintage Racing Aheads to check that I didn't set off on the same foot today as I had last September - not that you'd necessarily notice, and anyway even if you did, it can be rather comforting to revisit old haunts.
Last year I reflected on silly-season August, dominated by the Racing League, Shergar Cup and cricketing novelty The Hundred. This time round the Women's World Cup football has proved a welcome distraction, and I loved what I saw especially when they whacked the Matildas for six (well 3-1) and valiantly lost in the final - not quite good enough for an open top bus and a bank holiday, but close.
Now we are cast into the Keats-inspired 'season of mists and mellow fruitfulness' September promises to be a golden month for racing. But to re-invite the Scottish bard Robert Burns to the ceilidh, 'the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.' I quoted those famous words of 'Wee Rabbie' in the now 'collectors only' October 2021 issue of Racing Ahead. They were pertinent at the time in connection to the magnificent Baaeed, also the rapidly emerging tennis queen Emma Raducanu in the aftermath of winning the US Open as a 'wild card' entry; at the time both looked invincible, but as we have witnessed in sporting history those final few steps to the mountain peak can be the ones when you falter; only the true greats make it to the top.
The two horses I am most looking forward to seeing this month, one far closer to stardom than the other, are SHAQUILLE and BUCANERO FUERTE.
Esta historia es de la edición September 2023 de Racing Ahead.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 2023 de Racing Ahead.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
HENRY'S A REALLY GOOD FELLOW!
Paul Jacobs backs Aidan O'Brien's silver starlet to shine this summer
RETIRED, BUT NOT OVER THE HILL JUST YET
Ben Hastie looks at life after racing for stars of the track
LOCKED ON TO JOLLIES
Andy Newton analyses trends in Newbury highlight bookies fear
TOTS OF THE TURF SHOWING PROMISE
lan Heitman stumbles across some gems at the Curragh and Doncaster
APPLEBY'S SPEECH STRIKES RIGHT NOTE
Andy Ayres has keen eye on Guineas fancy
IT'S THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
Karl Hedley looks at Ireland's young speedsters ready to fly the flag on the Flat
AINT BAD AT ALL BUT UP FOR A FLAT PROFIT
Ben Morgan looks back on his jumps festival punting highlights and onwards to three big Flat fancies
CRAIC'S GRAND BOTH SIDES OF THE WATER
Simon Nott tracks the Grand National bookies each side of the Irish Sea for his Tales from the Ring
NO REGRETS, NO SECRETS - AND THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
Nick Townsend talks to jockey Kieran Shoemark about his winning battles on the track and off it
TEN TO FOLLOW AS WE HIT A NEW LEVEL
Paul Ferguson offers his selection of Flat stars to follow this season