Nostalgia and anabasis

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

-J.R.R. Tolkien

Horse racing is rich in traditions and pageantry. The history of the thoroughbred alone is one steeped in mythos and praxis.

The underlying nobility of the horse is what has persevered throughout. It cannot be tarnished by incompetent marketing, risible administration, the Jersey Act or ADW disputes.

That history and 'brand awareness' is unique and it is a commodity.

I would suggest we take one final step back, gather everything that was good about this game, the insouciance, the nobility, the work ethic and the crowning moments, and compile an almanac for the ages.

An encyclopedia of newspaper articles from, 'when it was a game'. A tribute to where we came from before we forge ahead into the new century with a clean sheet.

New authors and countless possibilities.