Racing Diary

RICHARD DUNWOODY, who set up a sports agency in 1999 after retiring as a jockey, is expanding into football. The 37-year-old former Grand National winner is building up a stable of players to represent as their commercial manager.

Having penned three autobiographies, Dunwoody is well placed to secure his clients' publishing deals and, with Charlton striker Martin Pringle on his books, one tasty product endorsement should be within his grasp.

AUSSIE jockey Allan Robinson was recently banned for six months after threatening to "crunch" the stewards (racing's referees). If Robinson fancies making his comeback on 31 July without much public attention, the perfect venues are being built in South Australia. Work has begun on three floodlight tracks to stage crowd-free racing at night. Meetings will take place there solely for the benefit of European punters on the internet.

THE job spec for a British Horseracing Board education officer. The vacancy requires someone to travel around schools enlightening pupils about horseracing, but the successful candidate need only have "an understanding of the education system" and some knowledge of horseracing is merely "desirable". Pity the poor children.

SPARE a thought for the good folk of Chard, in Somerset. Andrew Harris confessed to stealing thousands of birthday cards from the sacks of mail he was supposed to deliver in and around the town. The 40-year-old wagered any enclosed money in the betting shop. The black and white cat's on his own for the next nine months, accordingly.

EVEN those who go racing only to hear the likes of Suzi Quatro and Katrina (of Katrina and the Waves) perform in concert at racecourses after the last, might baulk at Country & Western from the saddle in Florida.