'There comes a point when it becomes ridiculous, the horsemen and women have been taken out of the picture'

The best quotes from the racing world this week . . .

I think there's a lot of people out there who aspire to write like him, it's that simple. He had a gift, and an extraordinary one, which was the command of the written word, which was a rare talent
Trainer Henry Daly pays tribute to Alastair Down after the legendary journalist's death at the age of 68

'He had a gift and an extraordinary one' - AP McCoy, Nicky Henderson and more remember racing hero Alastair Down 

The reason why he got the seven days is because I ran on to the back of his heels and I felt terrible after the inquiry because I felt I was responsible
Harry Cobden takes responsibility for Sam Twiston-Davies's ban, which was eventually reduced

'I felt terrible, I was responsible' - Harry Cobden's support helps cut a ban for Sam Twiston-Davies 

She ran in every month from May to October this year, and to do that at a mile and a half is tremendously hard on them. She took it all in her stride and finished the season better than any of us believed was possible
Ralph Beckett hails Bluestocking after  the brilliant Arc heroine's retirement

'To finish her career as she did was a joy' - Ralph Beckett pays tribute to Bluestocking following retirement of Arc heroine 

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 he changed managing his weight and how it transformed his career

'I used to eat absolutely zero' - Davy Russell reveals how boiled eggs propelled him to two Grand Nationals 

Every three-year-old at this time will have shadows and fissures and have this and have that. There comes a point when it becomes ridiculous, the horsemen and women have been taken out of the picture
Aidan O'Brien slams the vets' decision to rule Jan Brueghel out of next week's Melbourne Cup

Furious Aidan O'Brien slams decision to remove Jan Brueghel from Melbourne Cup after controversial vets check 

We came out here three weeks ago as a 100-1 shot – it’s crazy! We arrived with the hope of getting in some races but since then he’s just thrived and progressed. It’s been a dream
Brian Ellison is relishing Onesmoothoperator's Melbourne Cup bid

Brian Ellison: 'He came out here a 100-1 shot for the Melbourne Cup and now he's 6-1 - it's crazy!' 

She is never going to win by much, but she is a good mare. She will go two miles or two and a half miles, and I wouldn't be surprised if she ended up in the Champion Hurdle
Gordon Elliott reveals a possible exciting clash with Constitution Hill and State Man for Brighterdaysahead

'I wouldn't be surprised if she ended up in the Champion Hurdle' - Brighterdaysahead stars as Gordon Elliott dominates 

Read these next:

'Ryan had no chance' - City Of Troy fails to fire but owners Coolmore still come up trumps as Sierra Leone wins the Breeders' Cup Classic

You can wash the mud off the silks, but not the stain off the race - Alastair Down on a 'rancid' 2001 Grand National 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.