'That was Liz Truss, wasn't it? This market could crash any minute' - the most memorable racing quotes of 2024
Reflecting on the past year, in the words of racing's great and good
It has been a fascinating, thrilling and at times fraught 12 months for racing on and off the track. Here, we recall some of the biggest moments of 2024 in the words of the sport's great and good, before we usher in the new year . . .
January
I hope all owners, trainers and racecourses will encourage their MPs to attend this debate to highlight how damaging the proposed affordability checks will be to the racing industry and to those who enjoy a bet safely unless there is a rethink. This could be one of the last opportunities to influence the government's thinking on this issue and we must make the most of it.
Philip Davies was vocal about the need for racing's participants to urge their own MPs to attend February's affordability debate
Crucial affordability checks debate to take place on February 26
I think Faugheen won by 22 lengths and I got a bollocking for winning too far. At least she only won by 11 lengths, so I'm learning!
Patrick Mullins in good form after partnering Faugheen's relative Maughreen to a winning debut at Punchestown
February
He was a lovely jockey, kind to the horses, and rode them very well. He was very understanding and helpful. He was one of life's good guys. He was a wonderful person inside and out.
Trainer Rob Varnham pays tribute to Keagan Kirkby after the point-to-point rider's death
'He had time for everybody' - tributes paid to Keagan Kirkby after death of Paul Nicholls work-rider
She continued her massive interest in racing right up to the very last day. Would you believe, she had €20 win on Charlie in the bumper yesterday – that was her last bet.
Tony Mullins after the death of Mullins family matriarch Maureen aged 94
It has become increasingly clear that the government ministers and the Gambling Commission are determined to pursue their blunt and crude policies and are in complete denial of the appalling negative and destructive consequences of these catastrophic policies.
Champion Flat trainer John Gosden speaks ahead of the affordability checks debate
'The government is in complete denial of the appalling consequences of these catastrophic policies'
March
I'm disappointed for all the people who seem to love the horse. He's a popular character in the world of National Hunt racing and people seem to love him and love to watch him race. I'm sorry for all of us that it won't happen.
Michael Buckley on the news Constitution Hill would miss the Champion Hurdle. It was a rollercoaster year for the star hurdler
Owner Michael Buckley 'deeply disappointed' as superstar Constitution Hill misses Champion Hurdle
It's a huge relief; we were getting a bit desperate on Thursday. I had a bad day, my wife was presenting the Ryanair trophy to an ex-Man Utd manager and I'm a lifelong Manchester City supporter. I feel happy that's the only trophy Man Utd are going to win this year.
Gigginstown's Michael O'Leary jokes about Sir Alex Ferguson's Cheltenham win after Stellar Story lands the Albert Bartlett. United would go on to win the FA Cup
I've grown up with racing being a big part of my life. My old nan was the bookie's runner down our street in the East End and she used to get locked up every day for taking bets.
Harry Redknapp recounts his early introduction to racing following Shakem Up'Arry's victory in the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival
She was more than just for us, and lots of people rolled along with her story and were captured by it. She’s irreplaceable; it’s just gut-wrenching.
An emotional Jason Hart hails Highfield Princess following the star mare's death
April
Dad is just Dad to me. I never really clicked how incredible he was. I've always thought the world of him but another jockey said to me, 'He's like god, he's who everyone wants to be like'.
Amy Lee speaks on the racing club launched to raise funds for her father Graham following his life-changing fall
The good thing about bad days is you always hope there will be some light at the end of the tunnel. In all those years there have been plenty of downs before the ups.
Nicky Henderson on the torrid time his yard went through before Sir Gino gave him a welcome Grade 1 success at Aintree
It's a different feeling passing the line in front in the National; it's unique. It all feels a bit surreal.
Paul Townend after I Am Maximus's Grand National success
May
He was a really nice horse but a real character too, he wasn't straightforward but all in the nicest possible way. He had his quirks which kept us on our feet and entertained us, but by and large his heart was in the right place and he loved doing it.
Nicky Henderson pays tribute to Shishkin after the popular chaser's death
I probably treated him like too much of a god through the winter and because of that he was too fresh. Nothing about the run made any sense.
Aidan O'Brien tries to work out why City Of Troy flopped in the 2,000 Guineas. The Ballydoyle star would soon bounce back
June
People often come up to me and mention that clip. It really did snowball out of all proportions. It was my immaculate timing that made it, I think. There was actually a satellite delay from when Tommo said what he said, which made it sound even better.
Robert Cooper on that infamous viral clip as he prepared to hang up his mic for Sky Sports Racing
I'd say it's millions to one and really impossible for him to come back from what he came back from. At one stage we weren't sure he'd live. No horse has ever been x-rayed or scanned more in their life than him.
Aidan O'Brien after Kyprios's Gold Cup victory
July
I didn't distance myself from the celebrations, which I should have done. I regret my actions and apologise for them. It was not my intention to flout my suspension.
Tony Martin offers his apologies after his controversial appearance on Northumberland Plate day at Newcastle
You would still hear people talking about him. He was kind of an almost mystical character really and it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing to get a horse like him.
Aidan O'Brien hails the legacy of Istabraq following his death aged 32
August
That was Liz Truss, wasn't it? It was. My eyes are not deceiving me. This market could crash any minute, couldn't it?
ITV's Richard Hoiles reacts with aplomb as the former prime minister is blanked by Matt Chapman at Glorious Goodwood
We always did think it. Everything he's done from the day we trained him suggested that. He was the most special horse we ever had.
Aidan O'Brien lauds City Of Troy following his Juddmonte International triumph, the next step in a stunning campaign
I gave the horse absolutely every chance to win the race outright and I don't think there was anything in my riding that detracted from that. I don't understand how they can say I should have won outright.
Callum Shepherd after being hit with an 18-day ban for failing to ride out to the finish at Kempton
September
I am surprised and very disappointed. It was one of those things and it's not like I intentionally set out to do what happened. I feel like I didn't do anything wrong.
Shark Hanlon confirms he is going to appeal against his ten-month training suspension – his ban was eventually reduced to six months
I'm glad he's been strong enough to say 'listen, I've had a great time, I've had fantastic success and I can now walk away feeling I've done all I can do'. It's great to see him going out that way.
Sir Michael Stoute's friend, the legendary West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding, on the news the trainer would be retiring in 2024
I have a massive issue with the Cross Country being turned into a handicap. It used to be a handicap and it was dying on its feet – it was a diabolical race. It wasn't even worth watching before they turned it into a conditions race but it's become a fantastic race since.
Gigginstown House Stud chief Eddie O'Leary after a number of changes to the Cheltenham Festival were revealed
Eddie O'Leary: Tiger Roll would never have won a Grand National if the Cross Country was a handicap
October
A horse can really change your life and she has mine. It's all down to her trainer and the team at home. They've made my dreams come true. To do it on a global stage is what it's all about.
Rossa Ryan hails Bluestocking after the Juddmonte mare's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe win
'She's changed my life' - brilliant Bluestocking propels Ryan, Beckett and Juddmonte to Arc history
He's a very special horse and something we've never seen before. He's relentless and has an unbelievable amount of quality. It doesn't matter whether you go slow or fast, he just goes there and switches off.
Aidan O'Brien on Kyprios after he enhanced his legacy as the greatest stayer of his generation on Champions Day at Ascot
Some people get addicted to things. You can get addicted to smoking or to this or to that, but if people get addicted to something it's a case of helping them out and getting them through it. What about the other 99 or 95 per cent of people? Don't take it away from them.
Aidan O'Brien speaks out in defence of punters in light of Ireland's Gambling Regulation Bill
November
A couple of boiled eggs in the morning compared to nothing. I used to eat absolutely zero from when I woke up in the morning until I finished riding. I'd very little energy in my system; I was getting cranky and fighting with different people. That was just bad management.
Davy Russell reveals how making changes to how he managed his weight transformed his career
This is the biggest race in the world and I cannot even put into words how much it means to win it. It's got me in tears, but I think I'll be singing for the rest of my life after that!
Irish-born jockey and handy musician Robbie Dolan after his shock Melbourne Cup success on 90-1 shot Knight's Choice
I just didn't have him prepared to come out of the stalls quickly enough. We thought he was quick but he got left three or four lengths and it gave Ryan and the horse no chance.
Aidan O'Brien reflects on City Of Troy's Breeders' Cup Classic disappointment
December
The Gambling Commission increasingly appears to be unaccountable and out of control. Moreover, they continue to be unable to demonstrate any evidence as to the impact that the current affordability measures are having on problem gambling rates.
Arena Racing Company chief executive Martin Cruddace outlines his serious concerns about the Gambling Commission
You couldn't have hoped for better – that would've been impossible. It was nice to see that it all still works. Someone told me 'Form is temporary, class is permanent'.
Nicky Henderson after Constitution Hill's comeback win in the Christmas Hurdle
To me it was one of his best performances, if not the best performance of his career. I thought it was as good a performance as I've ever seen in a Savills.
Willie Mullins after Galopin Des Champs roared back to win the Savills Chase at Leopardstown
Happy new year. Roll on 2025.
Read these next:
Meet the first mother and daughter training partnership in Britain
Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.
Published on inQuotes of the week
Last updated
Copy- 'I promise you, by the time we got in, everybody backed him for the Arkle and they hadn't even seen it'
- 'I'm not going to be the whistle-blower - this isn't WikiLeaks and I'm not Julian Assange'
- 'There’s going to be a lot of bubbles burst but we think we’re there with a great chance. Let’s see if they can beat us'
- 'I didn't know what was going to happen and was very pleasantly surprised with what he did - it was an awesome performance'
- 'I've always lived hand to mouth. Without the Group 1, I probably would have shut down 18 months ago. We've been clinging on'
- 'I promise you, by the time we got in, everybody backed him for the Arkle and they hadn't even seen it'
- 'I'm not going to be the whistle-blower - this isn't WikiLeaks and I'm not Julian Assange'
- 'There’s going to be a lot of bubbles burst but we think we’re there with a great chance. Let’s see if they can beat us'
- 'I didn't know what was going to happen and was very pleasantly surprised with what he did - it was an awesome performance'
- 'I've always lived hand to mouth. Without the Group 1, I probably would have shut down 18 months ago. We've been clinging on'