Denton Hall News

Michael Dods joins tributes to legendary racing writer Alastair Down

Michael Dods has today joined in the tributes that have flooded in from the racing community following the news of the death of legendary journalist Alastair Down.
Michael knew Alastair well and has spoken of his sadness at his passing at the age of 68.
Michael said: “I last spoke to Alastair a few days before this year's Ayr Gold Cup when he rang to wish me luck. That was the kind of man he was.
“He followed our horses and we spoke a couple of times a year. He used to describe himself as ‘The Chairman of the Michael Dods Racing Community’ in the area where he lived.
“Not only was he a real gentleman, he was one of the best racing journalists the sport has ever known.”
Redcar Racecourse has also paid tribute, remembering the time Alastair poked fun at the seaside track in 2011.
He made the comment: “When I am dead, the only things I want on my gravestone is my name, dates, neck measurement, and the words ‘He never went to Redcar’.”
Redcar responded in good-humoured fashion by staging “The Alastair Down Gravestone Selling Stakes” – and the Racing Post columnist visited the course to present the trophy.
He went on to quip that his next plan was to have “I never went to Garrison Savannah” on his gravestone in the hope it would earn him a trip to Barbados!
After news of the writer’s death, Redcar’s general manager, Amy Fair, said: “We’ll never forget what a great sport Alastair was. He had a bit of fun at our expense, and we had a bit of fun back, and it was all taken in great spirit.
“He was, without doubt, one of the most brilliant racing writers of his generation, with a style that captured the colour and spectacle of the sport in a unique way.”
Alastair is the only journalist to be named Racing Writer of the Year on five occasions. Only last month, the press room at Cheltenham was officially named after him.
Racing Post editor Tom Kerr said: “Everyone at the Racing Post is devastated to hear of Alastair’s death. We have lost a great friend and ally, who delighted readers and colleagues alike for decades with his magnificent writing, passion for the sport, and sense of fun.”
Alastair, who studied at York University, was also a long-time member of the Channel 4 Racing team, taking over as lead presenter in 2001.
The team here at Denton Hall have Alastair's loved ones in their thoughts at this sad time.