It’s Brighton’s three-day Festival of Racing from Wednesday 6th August to Friday 8th August – all sponsored by Star Sports.
Probably the best-loved horse to run at the course in the last ten years was the charismatic grey Roy Rocket.
His first three racing seasons tried his owners’ patience sorely. He would play up in the stalls, pull hard in his races and the Rocket would run out of steam by the closing stages. In his first fifteen races a single third place was the best he could do.
In 2015 his trainer John Berry tried running him at Brighton, knowing the quirky track sometimes suited quirky horses. He was right; Roy won his first three starts here. Invariably he would be held up in the first half of the race before being asked for an effort coming down the hill on the outside. The Brighton crowd always cheered him at that point, hoping for the best, although he couldn’t win every time he ran here. The usual fast ground suited him and in July 2018 he won his eighth race here.
However, at that year’s Festival the going was soft, which he had never won on. The usual hold-up tactics were employed, but when the whole field came to the stands side Roy Rocket found his trademark run on the outside was cut off. Switched towards the centre, he came to challenge Knight Of Air, and they fought out the final furlong to the accompaniment of a great Simon Holt commentary. Roy poked his head in front in the last 25 yards to earn a tremendous reception from the crowd for his ninth (and final) course victory.
Those who saw it will never forget it.
Get your tickets for Brighton Racecourse's Festival of Racing taking place from Wednesday 6th to Friday 8th August 2025 here
