Racing Diary

"Our approach mirrored this evolution by deconstructing the form of a jockey to an abstract mark, then rebuilding it into photographic realism.

"By combining the simplicity of the abstract with the sport's visual energy, we believe we have matched these needs."

That's one way of describing the orange jockey featured on the logo.

Some star quality always helps draw a crowd to the races. But what would tracks in Britain give for interest from a celebrity with the stature of Betty Grable? The Del Mar track in California was a favourite place to visit for the movie great, who died in 1973. So what compelled her to show up for nearly every race day? A hefty appearance fee, presumably? Apparently not. She just loved the racing.

This Saturday, performing live at Ascot after the Blue Square Shergar Cup are Morcheeba, the jazz, hip hop groovers. Who Can You Trust? is one of their songs you should hear after the racing. By then you'll know the answer - not the bookmakers, for sure.

Was Goodwood glorious for you? It could have been very different. Racing was introduced there by the third Duke of Richmond out of a sense of obligation to the officers of the Sussex Militia, of which he was the colonel, rather than any devotion to the Turf.

For years the officers held their races in nearby Petworth Park, courtesy of the Earl of Egremont, but there was no invitation in 1801, so the meeting was moved to last week's venue. For the best, probably. 'Pleasant Petworth' doesn't have quite the same ring to it.