Racing: Palacegate Touch now within reach of record

Palacegate Touch moved to within one of the post-war record of career wins when dead-heating at Southwell yesterday. The 11-year-old grey took his tally to 33 when sharing the spoils with Red Delirium.

Le Garcon D'Or holds the record with 34 wins, but Palacegate Touch, who has been trained throughout his career at Cockerham, first by Jack Berry and now his son Alan, has that mark within his sights. This was the second time that Palacegate Touch has been involved in a dead-heat during his 181-race career and the Petong gelding has now netted £140,000 in win and place money.

Le Garcon D'Or ran between 1960 and 1972 for trainer Jack Ormston, while High Stakes is credited with 34 wins between 1945 and 1950. Palacegate Touch has now equalled the 33 Flat successes of Land League, whose wins included the 1907 Cambridgeshire.

Britain's most prolific winner since 1900 was Crudwell. He won 50 races between 1950 and 1960 with seven coming on the Flat, four over hurdles and 39 over fences including the 1956 Welsh Grand National. The all-time record is held by the mare Catherina, who won 79 races between 1833 and 1841.