John Burke

Good morning all,

Given we are living times where social distancing is the norm, it was appropriate that this years Derby should provide no finer example of the term in action.

You can read my thoughts on Saturday’s Derby and the Oaks in the main piece. Plus, you will also find Monday's tip which runs at Ayr.

Good morning all,

The flat season has finally started and I’m still trying to get my head around the fact the first two Classics have been run, albeit a month by schedule, in the first week of the sports resumption.

Racing behind closed doors seemed to go without any major hitches.  It still seems strange to see the parade rings devoid of connections, never mind empty stands. But at least it’s happening which is the important thing.

Not sure what the older horses make of it all. They must be wondering where the crowd and the all the noise is. We know that horses are intelligent animals and I’m sure some get some extra energy from the excitement of a big race day crowd. On the other side of the coin, those horses of a more nervous dispensation could put in a better performance due to the lack of pre-race ‘buzz'.

Inside today’s piece I’m going to take a look back at both Classics. Oh, and I have also taken a look at Monday’s action.

Good morning all,

Well there seems to be a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. Germany's first race meeting, since the end of its lockdown, took place last week and France is due to begin restart racing today. This gives us some hope that there will be a resumption of British racing in the next few weeks. Well we can hope. Until then I will continue with my trip down memory lane.

This week I'm going to look back on the career of Sea The Stars who blazed the racing world like a fiery comet in 2009.

Good morning all,

Whilst I have been missing the racing. It’s been a good opportunity to recharge the batteries and also get plenty of research in for when the sport does return. I have also enjoyed taking a look back at some of the great horses of my youth.

For the last two weeks I have revisited the 1980’s and the careers of two great colts from the flat. This week my attention turns to the fairer sex and one of my all-time favourite flat fillies Pebbles. You can read all about her inside.