Fiona Denniff

The makers of the popular BBC programme Country File could easily film a riveting episode just within the 700 acres of Nottinghamshire countryside that is Whatton Manor Stud. The farm is home to Longhorn cattle and rare breeds such as Wensleydale sheep and Suffolk Punch horses. But its main business is of course the breeding and rearing of thoroughbreds, something the Player family has done increasingly well in the 40 years since Peter Player inherited the farm from his aunt. An inheritance of a plot of such rich land deep...

A fortnight to go, apparently, until England casts aside all restrictions following the 16-month weirdness of the pandemic era. 'Freedom day', as it has been dubbed by those of Boris Johnson's government who are not currently serving time on the naughty step, has unfortunately not come in time for the regular 'July week' festivities in Newmarket. There will be racing with a reduced crowd and a sale taking place pretty much as normal, but without any of the parties and stallion parades that have become the staple of the town's...

NEWMARKET, UK—Broodmares led the way through the first session of the mixed Tattersalls July Sale, an auction which is usually broken into morning and evening sessions to allow for the excellent racing on offer down the road at the July Course. This year, however, the reduced crowd drawn to Park Paddocks dodged showers and caught the racing action on screens around the sales grounds while the only show in town with a controlled audience continued apace within the ring. Direct comparisons to the regular July Sale are worthless. The traditional...