It’s that time of year again when preparations to get both the thoroughbreds and the purebred Arabians race fit is well under way. With the 2008/09 season commencing in November, there is still plenty of time to correct any niggling problems that have blighted our four-legged friends during the summer and the same can be said for their riders!

A steady stream of both horse and jockey have been trickling onto the main circuit at Nad Al Sheba as the new training track behind Christian Wroe’s Dubai-based barn, Nad Al Sheba stables, is quickly being resurrected, and I’m sure it will prove a popular point of exercise.

Of course the old 1,400m circular gallop has now been closed to make way for the world’s most ambitious project that is Meydan. It’s a slight shame the reasonably new grass strip is no longer obtainable as the ripe green turf surface was a welcome change for many thoroughbreds and trainers, and the grass roots have barely had time to settle.

Unless you’re the likes of Daylami, who now has a job at stud or Desert Orchid and whose appearances on TV and at summer fetes kept him occupied during his twilight years, for those that weren’t perhaps household names there seems very little a retired race horse can do to keep itself occupied.

I often wondered what happened to my favourite horse, Obliterate, who only managed to win one small race at Bangor nearly 10 years ago but was a true gent in both his stable and to ride and an animal that would have certainly given pleasure to someone who was prepared to give him the time he needed to recover from previous racing injuries. I have no doubt he would have made a fantastic three-day event horse.

While TV has the Oscars, Baftas and Grammys, horse racing has the Lesters and, among others, the Pride of Racing award, which are due to take place in October at Lord’s cricket ground in London.

Ceremonies like this are an important part of the industry and it’s fantastic that the work of racing’s unsung heroes and dedicated staff is eventually being recognised.

I popped down to Goodwood for two glorious days’ racing last week and considering it was the first time I had ever visited the Sussex course, I did not leave disappointed after enjoying a particularly well-organised and sun-drenched occasion.

As well as enjoying the action from the press room I also decided to go and check out the racecourse stables and staff canteen – something, if you are a stable hand, that is very important.

Racecourses tend to vary with regard to the standards of staff hospitality, some offer very little comfort and cleanliness, while others are a credit to the industry.