Railbird 2004–2019

Miscellany Archive

Of sorts: “A husband and wife, alleged to have stolen £1.48 million to finance a love of horse racing, held hands and walked in front of a 100mph train after agreeing a suicide pact, an inquest was told yesterday.” Henry and Eleanor Yearley decided to take their lives rather than face trial for theft and other charges. Despite living in a modest home, the couple was spending up to £25,000 a month to keep Mrs. Yearley’s horses in training at Newmarket and elsewhere. “Although she had little success and was told that several of her horses would never be winners, she refused to sell them, the inquest heard.” (Telegraph)

“Horse racing on the strand is an old practice in Ireland, and the Omey Races go back farther than anyone can recall … In the old days, locals brought their Connemara ponies, the hardy native breed, and even a few donkeys for a day of racing on the beach. Present-day races have an equally old-fashioned flavor, but with the addition of thoroughbreds, semiprofessional jockeys and bookmakers.” (New York Times)

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