the highs and lows of 2022 geegeez.co.uk

The year of 2022 was full of surprises and highs. It saw the deaths of Lester Piggott and the Queen and Baaeed being crowned the best British runner since Frankel. Frankie Dettori announced the beginning of the end in 2022.

Shishkin and Energumene won the Clarence House Chase at Ascot. Douvan's full-brother Jonbon won at Haydock.

Oisin Murphy was banned for 14 months and fined £31,111. He will not be able to ride again before February 16, 2023.

Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Honeysuckle defended her Champion Hurdle title. Bob Olinger won the Turners Novices Chase. Galopin Des Champs crashed out at the last hurdle.

Amateur rider Sam Waley-cohen won the Randox Grand National.

Lester Piggott died aged 86 in Switzerland. He was an 11-times champion jockey and won 30 British Classics. Charlie Appleby won the English, French and Irish 2000 Guineas.

Sir Michael Stoute won the Derby for the sixth time in June. Frankie Dettori and John Gosden had a falling out at Royal Ascot after Dittori's ride on Stradivarius in the Gold Cup won by Kyprios. They agreed to a break in their partnership. Trueshan won Northumberland Plate.

Dettori and Gosden won the July Cup with Mighty Ulysses. Alcohol Free won her fourth Group One and later sold for 5.4 million guineas at auction. Five meetings were cancelled due to the heatwave. Dettora relinquished the ride on Stradivarius and was partnered by Andrea Atzeni in the Goodwood Cup.

Baaeed won the Juddmonte International at York. He beat defending champion Mishriff by six lengths.

The Queen died. Racing was called off on September 9 and 10 as a mark of respect. Christophe Soumillon was banned for two months after elbowing Rossa Ryan out of the saddle in a race at Saint-Cloud.

Sir Mark Prescott enjoyed the "best day" of his racing life when Alpinista won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Kevin Manning announced his retirement after riding one last winner for his father-in-law Jim Bolger at Galway. Baaeed was beaten for the first time in the Champion Stakes as Stoute worked his magic with Bay Bridge.

Appleby recorded another three Breeders’ Cup victories at Keeneland. Mischief Magic, Modern Games, Rebel”s Romance and Tuesday were the Moulton Paddocks scorers. Aidan O‘Brien and Ryan Moore combined to score three victories for Aidans. Flightline won the Breeder“s Cup Classic at Lexington. Constitution Hill made a flawless return to action in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

Frankie Dettori announced he will retire from the saddle at the end of 2023. Davy Russell retired with immediate effect after riding a winner at Thurles. Bravemansgame lifted the King George VI Chase at Kempton. Willie Mullins won 13 winners at Leopardstown Christmas Festival.