Simon Rowlands
@simonrowlands.bsky.social
Freelance horseracing writer, form/time/sectional analyst. 🏴 Likes: data, stats, music, wildlife, sport, literature, travel, films. Sheffield/Peak District UK.
Reposted by Simon Rowlands
And now.
The weather forecast.
The weather forecast.
February 11, 2026 at 7:01 PM
And now.
The weather forecast.
The weather forecast.
Reposted by Simon Rowlands
Birthday Boy. Frankel is 18 today.
February 11, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Birthday Boy. Frankel is 18 today.
Email from the Asian Racing Conference about AI and Big Data.
Some valid points - racing may be "data-rich and somewhat insight-poor" - but also that old canard about Secretariat.
You get the impression those in charge and the well-intentioned speakers have tended to look in the wrong places.
Some valid points - racing may be "data-rich and somewhat insight-poor" - but also that old canard about Secretariat.
You get the impression those in charge and the well-intentioned speakers have tended to look in the wrong places.
February 11, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Email from the Asian Racing Conference about AI and Big Data.
Some valid points - racing may be "data-rich and somewhat insight-poor" - but also that old canard about Secretariat.
You get the impression those in charge and the well-intentioned speakers have tended to look in the wrong places.
Some valid points - racing may be "data-rich and somewhat insight-poor" - but also that old canard about Secretariat.
You get the impression those in charge and the well-intentioned speakers have tended to look in the wrong places.
Well worth a gander.
I use geegeez to store my ratings and for informed snapshots precisely like those displayed here.
I use geegeez to store my ratings and for informed snapshots precisely like those displayed here.
February 9, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Well worth a gander.
I use geegeez to store my ratings and for informed snapshots precisely like those displayed here.
I use geegeez to store my ratings and for informed snapshots precisely like those displayed here.
Reposted by Simon Rowlands
Something magnificent about Kemi Badenoch's self-confidence, and her claim that the Mandelson affair is entirely down to her asking questions at PMQs. Like a toddler who thinks their plastic steering wheel is controlling the car.
February 9, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Something magnificent about Kemi Badenoch's self-confidence, and her claim that the Mandelson affair is entirely down to her asking questions at PMQs. Like a toddler who thinks their plastic steering wheel is controlling the car.
Reposted by Simon Rowlands
I am not following the jumps closely at present, and missed yesterday's racing altogether. Could someone tell me if it rained during the Newbury Saturday card, and, if so, roughly how much and when? TIA
February 8, 2026 at 9:47 PM
I am not following the jumps closely at present, and missed yesterday's racing altogether. Could someone tell me if it rained during the Newbury Saturday card, and, if so, roughly how much and when? TIA
Reposted by Simon Rowlands
Last year I wrote this for @bylinetimes.bsky.social:
The public see a political class whose proximity to wealth has eroded its independence, where talk of public service is an empty ritual. It's this culture that claimed Mandelson’s ‘qualities’ outweighed the risks.
bylinetimes.com/2025/09/29/t...
The public see a political class whose proximity to wealth has eroded its independence, where talk of public service is an empty ritual. It's this culture that claimed Mandelson’s ‘qualities’ outweighed the risks.
bylinetimes.com/2025/09/29/t...
The Integrity Gap: How We Built the Authoritarian Future We Fear
Labour MP Clive Lewis argues that the collapse of public trust in Government is the product of corporate power being wired into the architecture of the state
bylinetimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Last year I wrote this for @bylinetimes.bsky.social:
The public see a political class whose proximity to wealth has eroded its independence, where talk of public service is an empty ritual. It's this culture that claimed Mandelson’s ‘qualities’ outweighed the risks.
bylinetimes.com/2025/09/29/t...
The public see a political class whose proximity to wealth has eroded its independence, where talk of public service is an empty ritual. It's this culture that claimed Mandelson’s ‘qualities’ outweighed the risks.
bylinetimes.com/2025/09/29/t...
One country’s reputation has nosedived recently.
Credit: Simon shows you maps (Facebook)
Credit: Simon shows you maps (Facebook)
February 5, 2026 at 11:59 AM
One country’s reputation has nosedived recently.
Credit: Simon shows you maps (Facebook)
Credit: Simon shows you maps (Facebook)
Reposted by Simon Rowlands
Peter Mandelson is telling the truth on one thing: the idea he was bought for a $4k “bursary” or a $75k gift is ridiculous
The real incentive was a post-government payday - one so big he *rejected* a $3–5m-a-year offer
And Epstein enabled that payday
Here’s the evidence. 🧵
The real incentive was a post-government payday - one so big he *rejected* a $3–5m-a-year offer
And Epstein enabled that payday
Here’s the evidence. 🧵
February 4, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Peter Mandelson is telling the truth on one thing: the idea he was bought for a $4k “bursary” or a $75k gift is ridiculous
The real incentive was a post-government payday - one so big he *rejected* a $3–5m-a-year offer
And Epstein enabled that payday
Here’s the evidence. 🧵
The real incentive was a post-government payday - one so big he *rejected* a $3–5m-a-year offer
And Epstein enabled that payday
Here’s the evidence. 🧵
Quality from @champagne-harry.bsky.social who really needs to start posting such gems on here too/first/instead 😀
February 3, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Quality from @champagne-harry.bsky.social who really needs to start posting such gems on here too/first/instead 😀
A thrilling Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown earlier today, but what do we make of the proximity of Firefox, beaten under 14 lengths by Fact To File? 160ish-rated horse at the very most on other form.
February 2, 2026 at 5:20 PM
A thrilling Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown earlier today, but what do we make of the proximity of Firefox, beaten under 14 lengths by Fact To File? 160ish-rated horse at the very most on other form.
That is a mighty good piece of writing in @theguardian.com review of that film.
January 31, 2026 at 12:31 AM
That is a mighty good piece of writing in @theguardian.com review of that film.
Reposted by Simon Rowlands
🏇 Well, damn. Ted Noffey's out. 😞
www.horseracingnation.com/news/Report_...
www.horseracingnation.com/news/Report_...
Ted Noffey is off Kentucky Derby trail with bone bruising
Undefeated Ted Noffey misses Triple Crown trail with bone bruising, aims for Saratoga return.
www.horseracingnation.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:34 PM
🏇 Well, damn. Ted Noffey's out. 😞
www.horseracingnation.com/news/Report_...
www.horseracingnation.com/news/Report_...
Ble mae'r Ffeiliau Epstein yn y byd?
January 28, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Ble mae'r Ffeiliau Epstein yn y byd?
Braverman defects. Reform are 2.12 from, errrm, 2.12 for most seats at the next General Election.
January 26, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Braverman defects. Reform are 2.12 from, errrm, 2.12 for most seats at the next General Election.
95 yards added to the distance of the opener at Cheltenham, so overall time of 5m 22.1s is more like G/S tending towards Soft, rather than Softer.
January 24, 2026 at 12:26 PM
95 yards added to the distance of the opener at Cheltenham, so overall time of 5m 22.1s is more like G/S tending towards Soft, rather than Softer.
Well, I survived 5 days in London without getting murdered, robbed, sold into slavery, or anything like it, though I did misplace my dignity a couple of times. Still the greatest IMO.
January 23, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Well, I survived 5 days in London without getting murdered, robbed, sold into slavery, or anything like it, though I did misplace my dignity a couple of times. Still the greatest IMO.
Stridepredictor.com
Some interesting research and insights from the field of striding, much of which I agree with.
Some interesting research and insights from the field of striding, much of which I agree with.
Racehorse Stride Analysis & Distance Prediction | Stride Predictor
Racehorse stride analysis for optimal distance prediction. Data-backed insights, big race previews, and biomechanics methodology. 75%+ accuracy across 500+ horses.
Stridepredictor.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:36 PM
Stridepredictor.com
Some interesting research and insights from the field of striding, much of which I agree with.
Some interesting research and insights from the field of striding, much of which I agree with.
Reposted by Simon Rowlands
Reposted by Simon Rowlands
Quite the substack post from Paul Krugman. These are desperate times for America and the world.
January 20, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Quite the substack post from Paul Krugman. These are desperate times for America and the world.
Reposted by Simon Rowlands
Francis @graffardracing.bsky.social gives his and the @agakhanstuds.com team's current thinking as to starting points and aims for newly-minted Longines World's Best Racehorse Calandagan and brilliant Qatar Prix de l'Arc hero Daryz.
@rpbloodstock.bsky.social
www.racingpost.com/news/world-r...
@rpbloodstock.bsky.social
www.racingpost.com/news/world-r...
'I think he's still improving' - Francis Graffard eyeing new heights after Calandagan tops Longines World Racing Awards
Trainer Francis Graffard has spoken of his "delight" for Calandagan after the Aga Khan Studs' globetrotter was named world champion for 2025 at the... Read More
www.racingpost.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Francis @graffardracing.bsky.social gives his and the @agakhanstuds.com team's current thinking as to starting points and aims for newly-minted Longines World's Best Racehorse Calandagan and brilliant Qatar Prix de l'Arc hero Daryz.
@rpbloodstock.bsky.social
www.racingpost.com/news/world-r...
@rpbloodstock.bsky.social
www.racingpost.com/news/world-r...
Taking my life in my hands and travelling to one of my favourite places on Earth - London - including for the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings Awards on Tuesday.
January 18, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Taking my life in my hands and travelling to one of my favourite places on Earth - London - including for the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings Awards on Tuesday.