End of an era

"The end of an era", a phrase which has been eroded by years of overuse, found gainful and apposite employment as Ghalib passed the post at the end of the Listed James Seymour Stakes at Newmarket yesterday. In doing so the Soviet Star colt became the final runner in the 40-year career of Major Dick Hern, a period which has seen him gain remarkable triumph on the racecourse and, moreover, away from it. Hern's spell with a licence has yielded the winners of 16 British Classics, eight Irish Classics and two in France.