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"As Far As The Eye Can See"

Hexham racecourse was always a venue I would watch on television and think "I have to go there one day" due to the stunning backdrop of the Northumbrian hills and unique nature of the racecourse. I was finally able to attend a raceday in November 2021 and it was worth every penny. In this photo, Dan Gun heads across the course to the start of the first race but he appears small in comparison to the rolling hills in the background. Rightfully claiming to be the most scenic racecourse in the North, it is on a par only to Goodwood racecourse and a rare venue where you almost forget about the racing action. A venue worthy of any racegoer's bucket list and one I look forward to going back to in the future.   

"Sand Storm" 
The fibresand surface at Southwell racecourse was a unique one as it was the only racing surface of its kind in Britain. This photo was taken on my visit to the Nottinghamshire venue on February 1st 2018. I decided to face the bend turning away from the stands to get this perspective as the runners passed. The sand getting kicked up is reminiscent of American racing. The fibresand surface at Southwell has been torn up and replaced by a different surface, so images like this will be a thing of the past. 

"The Last Race"
My trip to Newcastle racecourse on November 29th 2019 turned out to be one of the most enjoyable and productive photoshoots I've done. It was the height of winter, the days were short but the sun was very strong. This photo was taken in the final race, the Betfair Rehersal Chase, and as the runners passed the stands on the first circuit, I used the conditions to my advantage. The strong, setting sun created a golden background with a small lens flare, the industrial scene in the background of everyday life and of course the runners and riders creating their own silhouette. 

"The Queen and the Joker"

Being a regular attendee at York racecourse, I am very lucky to have seen some legendary racehorses of the last decade or so. This photo of Enable taken from the Ebor Festival of 2019 is one of my favourites due to her massive popularity she received from the racing public. The longevity of her career allowed more people to get a chance to see her. I remember the racecourse was packed with people trying to get a glimpse of the brilliant mare on what was thought at the time to be her last race in Britain. I remember seeing many racegoers with cameras and scarfs matching her silks colours and the reception she received after winning the race. It was days like these which show that the horse is the biggest attraction in this sport and how race fans can get attached to particular horses. The relationship between Enable and the enigmatic jockey Frankie Dettori was also a key factor to her popularity.

"The Theatre of Dreams"

Whilst this photo may not stand out as anything out of the ordinary, there isn't any fancy settings or dramatic action captured, this photo reminds of achieving a dream. Cheltenham racecourse is fabled, a must-do on the bucket list of racecourses to visit of any racing enthusiast. The home of National Hunt racing, nowhere compares to Cheltenham. I realised this dream in March 2020 and was immediately in awe as I walked around the racecourse for the first time. The amount of stories and action that has taken place on the hallowed turf for hundreds of years is endless. Watching the Cheltenham Festival on television and hearing the infamous "Cheltenham Roar" from the huge crowds at the start of every race would inspire anyone to attend the meeting in real life. Getting the opportunity to see the rolling hills in the background, the challenging uphill finish and to hear that roar from the crowd in person made it a day I'll always remember.

"On Edge"

Sometimes there is a particular type of photograph for years and years, and after over ten years of working in photography, I captured this moment at Thirsk racecourse. In the parade ring before the first race, the 2-year-old filly Girl Inthepicture showed inexperience in her new surroundings and began to give her handler some issues. She eventually began to rear up and thankfully I had my camera pointing in the same direction. I remember this vividly as I was looking away from the scene just a couple of seconds previously. It defines the term "blink and you'll miss it". The photo has a lovely contrast of the nervous and excited energy of Girl Inthepicture as she rears up with the calmness of her handler standing firm and regaining control. 
To capture a photo like this so cleanly is something that will take a long time to get right again but I was so pleased with this photo, the filly turned out to be well named in the circumstances. 

"We Did It"

Rachael Blackmore has become an inspiration to many around the world and is invaluable asset to the sport of horse racing. The first female rider to win a "big three" race at the Cheltenham Festival, she has also added the Grand National, Champion Hurdle on two occasions and Ryanair Chase to her ever growing CV. On Friday 16th March 2022, she surpassed those achievements even further by winning the fabled Cheltenham Gold Cup to create history as the first woman to do so. Riding the favourite and previous year's runner-up A Plus Tard, she benefitted from a steady gallop to position her mount in a great position turning into the home straight where A Plus Tard bolted up the famous hill to capture jumps racing's top prize. To be able to capture Rachael's sheer joy and emotion as she celebrates her achievement with the packed grandstands will remain a moment many will not forget. 

"Best Friends"

The jockeys onboard may get the applause and adulation on the track when they win a race, but they only provide a portion of the work. The hard work with racehorses is done at the stables where the stable lads and lasses work around the clock every day to look after these amazing animals. I captured this moment between Ellie and her new associate, an unnamed two year old colt, at Richard Fahey's stable in Malton where she works. The relationship between human and horse is rarely as vital anywhere else than in horse racing as trust is built between the two mammals. The effectiveness of getting a horse used to human interaction is key to keeping them calm before, during and after a raceday. 

"The Walk Home"

I was lucky to visit Newmarket once again for a stable visit, but beforehand I checked out of the hotel early enough to see the morning gallopers in action. Newmarket is an amazing place for horse racing enthusiasts and a must do on their bucket list of activities. To be able to hear the clatter of hooves on the pavements all around you and chatter between stable staff is an experience which needs to be done to be believed. As I walked towards the entry of the Warren Hill gallop, I saw this horse walking back to the stable with his work rider. I was extremely proud of the result as the sun was still rising and provided a stunning backdrop with a couple of trees casting a silhouette. The work rider calmly walking his horse with riding gear in the other hand and the horse taking one last look at the gallops with steam rising after a good workout session.

"Festival Finish"

I was lucky to attend the Cheltenham Festival for the second time this year in 2022 and it was a brilliant experience as expected. Amongst the high class action, it was a later race which provided a photo I liked most. Taken from the mares' novice hurdle won by Love Envoi, it produced a photogenic finish with three talented mares finishing in close proximity and at this point, in a line. In the background, a jam packed grandstand cheers on the finish with all eyes on the on track action. The photo provides a good insight into the scale of the Cheltenham Festival with the large crowd and exciting racing action.

"On Your Marks"

A well timed shot taken at Doncaster for a veterans' handicap chase, featuring Black Op, Up Helly Aa King, Vintage Clouds and Chirico Vallis just before the tape was released to signal the start of the race. Not only were the horses involved in the race popular types, they are all alert to the imminent moment where their riders urge them forward. Each of the jockeys are alert and ready for the start as well. 

"Quiet Reflection"

Taken during the 2021 Ebor Festival, jockey Richard Kingscote stares out into the open whilst patiently waiting for the remainder of runners to enter the stalls. 

"Caked In Mud"

Horse racing is a sport where competitors aren't afraid of getting dirty, as this photo of Shane Gray at York in October 2020 shows. The final meeting at York usually provides soft, muddy conditions as the national hunt season begins to loom on the horizon, and pulling up at the end of the two mile handicap, it was hard work for the jockeys and horses. With mud on Gray's face and silks, it makes you appreciate what jockeys have to go through every day. 

"All Set"
Taken at Redcar racecourse in late September 2021, we have Burtonwood getting saddled up by Julie Camacho's husband and assistant trainer Steve Brown with daughter Sam helping out. The photo has more meaning that it appears as Burtonwood is a long time favourite in the yard and is adored by the family and staff alike at Star Cottage. It is another image to display the connection between horse and human which is incomparable to other sports. 

"Through the Trees"
Taken at York in October 2022, I often try and find gaps in the woods that runs parallel to the back straight and use them to capture action shots. The maiden race field make their way past the trees before turning for home. The iconic buildings of Terry's chocolate factory and Ebor grandstand are all in frame with the horses. 

"Splashdown"
Taken at York after a race at the Ebor Festival in August 2022, a horse gets a refreshing wash down from his groom. The water almost looks frozen in time as it is just about to land on the horse's back. 

"Led Forward"
A rarely seen view at York from the six furlong start, Muscika is led into his starting stall before a handicap at York in June 2022. The dead straight run to the finish pole some 1,200 metres further away and horses waiting quietly and patiently before the start of the race. 

"Dreams Can Come True"

The 2023 running of the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York, a Group One race run over five furlongs, has long been a highlight of the racing calendar as it takes part during the Ebor Festival. Many illustrious names have won the historic race over the years from the likes of Dayjur, Lochsong, Oasis Dream and more recently Battaash and Marsha.

This year, there was quite the surprise as the four year old Live In The Dream blazed a trail from start to finish to provide all of those connected to the horse with the biggest moment of their lives. It propelled the young career of jockey Sean Kirrane into a household name, elevated the previously unrecognisable stable of Adam West into the spotlight and also for the small scale level of owners Steve and Jolene de'Lemos to finally get a taste of the big time.
The post race celebrations in the winners' enclosure was heart-warming. The joy and exasperation of owner Steve de'Lemos as he embraces Sean Kirrane relays the emotion of what it means to win a big race and beat the best in the world.  

"Enter The Challengers"

Attending the Grand National was, for me personally, a bucket list item achieved. It was a truly memorable day of racing at Aintree and the Grand National itself is a race that fuelled my interest in horse racing each year as a child growing up. A portion of the thirty nine competitors leave the parade ring for the final time before the race and step out onto the fabled racecourse. In the background, their rivals gallop back to the starting point with others on the horizon taking a look at the first obstacle. 

I feel the photo worked well as it provides focal layers all at once. The foreground featuring horse and jockey entering the coliseum with packed grandstands with the centre of the shot and far distance of the shot including horses who have taken those first steps onto the track.  

"An Iconic Landscape"

York is best known for many things, whether it be the ghostly tales of the town centre, Roman history, chocolate industry or its horse racing. The seven furlong starting point at York racecourse provides a combination of two of York's delicacies in one as the famous Terry's chocolate factory dominates the skyline.

Despite being of action for many years and now renovated into a housing community, the building retains its dominance next to the racecourse. A solitary horse calmly walks the remaining few metres to the starting stalls. 

"Where The Horse Comes First"

Another trip to the horse racing capital of Newmarket in August 2023 was another brilliant morning despite the weather. The sheer amount of horses and riders in the area each morning is staggering and never gets old. The town of Newmarket itself still revolves around the horses themselves even in the modern day. Vehicle drivers need to respect and wait for passing horses as the cross the many roads to and from the gallops. It is still remarkable that things in Newmarket have remained the same for centuries.