Michael Dickinson saddled the first five finishers in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1983. The Gold Cup is the most prestigious race of the English ‘jumps’ season. Many discerning observers have proclaimed trainer Dickinson’s training feat as the most significant in racing history.

Michael Dickinson, 57, has announced his retirement from racing. He moved to Maryland, USA in 1987. He is best known in America for sending out Da Hoss who won the Breeders’ Cup Mile in 1996 and 1998. The 200-acre Tapeta Farms opened its doors in 1998. Dickinson trained winners on a regular basis. He won a total of 1,312 races. He won 151 stakes races and 85 of them in America. He came up with the idea for the artificial training and racing surface that bears the name of his farm.

“I want to devote full attention to popularizing the tapeta idea. I am keen on providing a safe surface for race horses. We are involved in several countries. I have had a great training career. I am changing course now,” Michael Dickinson said.

Jockey Garrett Gomez broke Jerry Bailey’s record of 70 stakes wins in a year. Gomez won his 71st stakes in 2007 at Hollywood Park on Sunday. Spring Awakening was his mount in the Moccasin Stakes, a 1400-metre race for freshman girls. Spring Awakening was the 16-10 favourite. Gomez has won over $21 million in purse money this year. There are many stakes races left in the calendar.

Gomez stated, “It feels like we really accomplished something. It has been slowly sinking in.”

Talking about Spring Awakening, Gomez heaped praise on the filly. “She did it all on her own. Her legs carried me so fast.”

Dylan Thomas is likely to go in the (turf) Japan Cup at Tokyo Race Course on November 25. His name is in the list of acceptors. Aidan O’Brien expressed confidence. “Dylan Thomas will go to Japan. The going in the Breeders’ Cup went against him. He is fine. He will take his chances in Tokyo.”

Miss Andretti won The Age Classic, a 1200-metre stakes race, at Flemington on Saturday. The time was 1 08.93. The six year-old mare has earnings of over 1.22 million pounds. Miss Andretti is going to Hong Kong to run in the Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin Race Course on December 9.

As of November 12, Jorge Ricardo leads Russell Baze, 9,922 to 9,906. Baze, based in Northern California, has ridden 327 winners in 2007. Second in the American standings is jockey Ramon Dominguez with 277 winners.

Melbourne Cup winner, Efficient will defend his title in 2008. In 2009, he will head to England to take a shot at the 3,600-metre Ascot Gold Cup during the Royal Meeting. :”He has been exceptional in long races. He is a true stayer. He will take time off. We will get him ready for next year,” said Lloyd Williams, Efficient’s owner.

On Wednesday, November 14, the Cartier Racing Awards will be presented in the Four Seasons Hotel in Mayfair in London. This is the 17th year that these awards are being presented. The awards are decided by a three-part method. Records in pattern races carry a 40% value. Views of journalists on Cartier’s Racing Panel have a 40% value. Opinions of readers of Racing Post and the Daily Telegraph carry a 20% value.

Authorized, Dylan Thomas, Manduro, Peeping Fawn and Ramonti have been nominated for Horse of the Year honours.

Top older horse: Dylan Thomas, Manduro, Notnowcato, Ramonti and Yeats.
Top stayer: Allegretto, Geordieland, Le Miracle, Macleya and Yeats.
Top sprinter: Benbaun, Kingsgate Native, Red Clubs, Sakhee’s Secret and Soldier’s Tale.
Three year-old colt: Authorized, Cockney Rebel, Excellent Art, Literato and Soldier Of Fortune.
Three year-old filly: Darjina, Finsceal Beo, Light Shift, Mrs Lindsay and Peeping Fawn.
Two year-old colt: Fast Company, Ibn Khalduhn, New Approach, Kingsgate Native, Rio De La Plata.
Two year-old filly: Fleeting Spirit, Listen, Natagora, Saorise Abu and Zarkara.

Seb Sanders and Jamie Spencer, joint champion jockeys this year, will be at the awards ceremony.

Sources: Racing Post and NTRA