My Swallow

I bet Mill Reef in the Prix Robert Papin and still can`t believe it got beat, but with hindsight My Swallow was arguably one of the greatest 2-y-o`s in the history of the Turf.

At least they can`t reuse the legendary Sceptre`s name again, which I`m sure that you are glad to hear Bob.

Free Handicap (Two-year olds of 1970)

My Swallow 9st 7lbs
Mill Reef 9st 6lbs
Brigadier Gerard 9st 5lbs
Cawston's Pride 9st 4lbs (fillies allowance 3lb)

What a year!!!!

Cawstons Pride could certainly go a bit as I recall.

Cawston's Pride (1968 – 2 June 1976) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. In 1970, she was unbeaten in eight races including the Queen Mary Stakes, Molecomb Stakes, Lowther Stakes and Cornwallis Stakes and was recognised as the outstanding juvenile filly of her generation. After winning Britain's first ever Group race, the Ascot 1000 Guineas Trial, on her debut as a three-year-old she developed temperament problems and was beaten when favourite for the 1000 Guineas. She refused to race on her only subsequent appearance and was retired to stud. She made an exceptional start as a broodmare, producing four stakes winners including the champion sprinter Solinus from four foals before dying at the age of eight in 1976. Cawston's Pride has been retrospectively rated the best two-year-old filly trained in Britain in the second half of the 20th century

Sparrow - I may have mentioned this before Her debut was on Greenham day, bottomless ground, 100/8 (or 6), ridden by Brian Taylor (god rest his soul, won by 10 lengths, at least. I watched it with my Dad as the meeting was on Grandstand. Never forgotten it, and I was at Goodwood too.

I didn't remember that debut run blackbarn but for me it was an unforgettable few years with those great horses and the best guineas of mine and probably anybodys lifetime.
What I only just found out was that Con Brio, a horse I remember in the 60s, was Cawstons Clown sire.

Was in Addenbrookes hospital in 2004 and told the porter to back Grey Swallow for the Epsom Derby but for whatever reason he never ran. Whether the porter invested for Epsom or the Curragh I shall never know.

Sorry only mentioned Grey Swallow because of the sad passing of Pat Smullen.

The 1971 2000 Guineas not only had the UK/French champion (at 2 years old) with My Swallow, but also the Irish with Minsky.

Lester had ridden My Swallow in France the previous year including the Prix Papin beating Mill Reef, but turned the ride down in the Guineas for the Vincent O’Brien trained Minsky, a full brother (out of Flaming Page) to the 1970 winner Nijinsky. Frankie Durr took the ride, although Lester was reunited with the horse in the July Cup, one of only 4 races (from 11) the horse had in UK.

After winning on 3 year old debut in a small race at Kempton, My Swallow never won another race. Timeform rated him at 134 as a 2 year old.

It is a pity the powers that be have no respect for great horses of the past. My Swallow must be up there as possibly the greatest 2-year-old we have had by winning 7 times unbeaten including the top 4 Group 1 races in France and, fortunate or not, he beat Mill Reef.
When you consider that in 1951 when there were far fewer horses running than there were 20 years later, Windy City won 4 races out of 5 as a two-year-old, three in Ireland and the Gimcrack by 10 lengths (Mill Reef won a cracking Gimcrack by 10 lengths). Yet he is rated 142 by Timeform which is a 1lb higher than Mill Reef (and we know what he went on to win) and 10lbs higher than My Swallow. It is an absolute joke.

Sadly had My Swallow gone to France he would have won the French 2000 Guineas but he stood his ground against possibly the best two horses ever to have raced in this country. With Brigadier Gerard going for the mile races and Mill Reef going up in trip there were no races in this country for him to go for. He went to France and on desperate ground was beaten by Faraway Son so that avenue was closed. They had no alternative but to either send him to stud or drop him back in trip. He went for the July Cup but was just beaten into 2nd place by Realm.
Had there been the number of Group 1 races in 1971 as there are today the story may well have been completely different.

i will never forget 1970's 2 year olds. I went to Newbury one day and had my wedge on the appropriately named Young and Foolish, in the 1st race, at long odds on. Buying money I thought. Unfortunately Brigadier Gerard was having his 1st run in the same race. He won at 100/8 if memory serves me well. The same year, I backed Fireside Chat at 4/9 in a 2 year old race and he was also beaten by a newcomer, Mill Reef at 8/1.

Unlucky Driver2.
When BG won his first race I was on a sunbed in Lido de Jesolo having booked up and paid for my holiday in December. I didn't know what was in the race so I left a bet with our bookies runner, thinking he would be short being at Newbury, as Hern's often were and imagine my delight when he won at 100/7.

Hi Andrew, hope you are well. I see you have been flying around, I am down to fly to France in November, changed from September, do you find it safe enough? Is it very busy? Any tips? With regard to travel.

Morning Laurie

My Swallow was indeed a wonderful 2 year old and quite possibly the best one ever, better than Pinatubo and maybe even Frankel who improved in his years.

Driver

Fireside Chat was 2/9 in the Mill Reef race and was beaten 4L carrying a penalty.

Laurie

Sorry, i posted before reading 10.08.

I've been back to UK twice in recent weeks, albeit only for extended weekends. I flew with Lufthansa and Easy jet (the latter to Gatwick) and both companies were taking the expected precautions. Masks worn at all times, leaving the aircraft by seat row starting from the front etc. There were empty seats on all flights, i would guess 85%/90% occupancy.

I would say it's safe as it can be, and certainly no worse than being in a crowded pub or restaurant for example.

I was meant to be going to Ankara this week, but now cancelled and replaced by a MS Teams con/call. I feel OK to fly in future.

The only real tips i could give you is to board the aircraft as late as possible to prevent standing in a queue, especially in the stairways. Do not use the on-board lavatory and clean the tray table if you take a coffee etc (ideally with a sanitizer).

Don't be too concerned with aircraft ECS systems, the air is replaced around every 3 minutes and many now are using anti-bacterial filters.

leaving the aircraft by seat row starting from the front etc.

By this i mean everyone stays seated when the aircraft stops on the apron. The first seat row passengers stand up, remove baggage from the overhead lockers and leave. Then those in row 2 do the same ..... and so on.

Brilliant. Thanks Andrew. Are the flights busy?
I have been living in  bit of a bubble here even though I live with three other adults and four children I feel very safe as well as lucky. We have a weekend booked away at Arundel this weekend and this will be our first time away so I am hoping to get easily back on the treadmill.

Laurie

Are the flights busy?

Which airline are you flying with ?

Sorry Andrew, I was just visiting a local trainer. I am flying with Ryanair. They are the only carrier who work out of out local airport in France.

Laurie

Flying with a discounted fare carrier aka Ryanair will generally incur a more packed flight, but i wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure they're mask and disembarking rules are the same as the larger airlines.

If you follow my tips in the 10.26 post, you will have done basically everything in your power to lessen any risk.

Owned by David Robinson,a Bedford lad.
Nearly all his horses were called something Green or Red, as they were his racing colours.
A few Silvers as well.
Had horses with 3 trainers,inc Jarvis and Davey, and Frankie Durr was stable jockey.
Owned a TV Rental company and sold it to Granada TV.
Donated a wedge to have a college at Cambridge-Robinson College.
One of a few who put his money into doing good things.