'This is mindboggling that in front of our eyes our sport is going to be ripped to pieces'

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

Paddy Kehoe has always told me that as long as she was able to run, breeding off her was secondary to him. So who am I to complain? We'll never have the likes of her again.
Trainer Tony Mullins reacts to Princess Zoe's dead-heat on her hurdles debut at Punchestown on Monday

Punchestown: Cheltenham next for Princess Zoe after dead-heat on hurdling debut  

This is absolutely mindboggling that in front of our eyes our sport is going to be ripped to pieces. I'm not a gambler myself – I might have a few quid here and there but tiny in the big picture – so I wasn't as tuned into this until it hit me like a juggernaut in the last few days of hearing these stories.
Highclere racing manager Harry Herbert expresses his fears about the impact of affordability checks on racing

Highclere boss: British racing could be 'ripped to pieces' by intrusive affordability checks  

When she's won like that it only confirms she's as good as ever and Constitution Hill is still as frighteningly good as we thought.
Nicky Henderson assesses Constitution Hill's form boost after Epatante's Grade 2 victory at Doncaster last weekend

Epatante brightens Henderson's fortunes after Listed Newbury romp (£)  

They should push it [implementing the rules] back. They've got to do something. If the sort of bans you've been hearing about do come to fruition it's so bad for the sport.
Mick Fitzgerald responds to jump jockeys' frustrations over the new whip rules, which are due to come into full effect this month

Davy Russell hoping for clarity as BHA delegation heads to Ireland with concerns over whip rules growing (£)  

On a weekend's leave in Seoul, he saw a fortune teller who said not to worry about getting shot; that he'd train racehorses, which he'd never thought of; he'd have two kids and live until he was 86. He believed it and most of it came true – when he got to 86 he had a quiet year!
George Charlton pays tribute to his father and former trainer Alistair Charlton, who died this week at the age of 89

'Horses were his life' - former trainer Alistair Charlton dies at 89  

One of the most important things this season is the way Harry Cobden is riding. He has really matured and is a massive part of the team. He's just like Ruby [Walsh] and always has a plan now. Without a shadow of a doubt, I think he's as good as anyone riding at the moment.
Paul Nicholls heaps praise on stable jockey Harry Cobden following a double at Cheltenham last weekend

'Bravemansgame has a lovely chance in Gold Cup' - Nicholls focus turns to festival after Saturday treble (£)  

If racing is not a hobby for you then it’s a problem. We're not a punting family and I've never, ever backed one of my own horses in my life. But it's a good day out and business can be done. The prize-money in Britain is outrageous. The Irish don't need to sell and now even the English are sending their better horses to Ireland to be trained.
Owner Michael Masterson on his approach to racing as he looked forward to the Dublin Racing Festival

'It just took off with Willie - now the dream is Appreciate It winning the Gold Cup' (£)  

The damage it could do is really frightening. We've got enough problems on our hands in the industry and don't need this. It's lunacy, sheer lunacy.
Nicky Henderson on the impact of affordability checks on racing

'Terrifying and ridiculous' - jumps icon Nicky Henderson condemns affordability checks  

Read these next:

'I'm going into it thinking he's got a lovely chance' - this week's key Cheltenham Festival quotes 

Stay ahead of the field with the ultimate racing subscription – and your first month FREE. Enjoy the Racing Post digital newspaper and award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, and make informed betting decisions with our expert tipping and form study tools. Head to the subscription page and select 'Get Ultimate Monthly', then enter the code FREE to get Members' Club free for one month.

First month free, subscription renews at full monthly price thereafter.

Customers wishing to cancel will need to contact us at least seven days before their subscription is due to renew.