Doncaster today brings the curtain down on another turf flat season - and what a season it has been for the top jockeys!

Kieron Fallon is seven ahead of Kevin Darley in the Jockey's Championship which assures him of a fourth championship in five years with 165 winners.

Kevin Darley put up a good fight to be a gallant second with 158 winners with Pat Eddery on 121 winners and Richard Quinn on 116. Darley must fancy himself for another championship next year with Fallon losing the full backing of Sir Michael Stoute's powerful Newmarket yard. He may just be in a better position with the contacts that he has now built up.

Mark Johnson has yet again had a tremendous year and he really does keep Middleham on the map. 112 winners gives him more winners than any other trainer this year.

There have been great reviews of the new all weather surface at Lingfield. Jockeys have called it the best all weather surface they have ridden on during trials this week.

It's a long way from Darlington, but I expect we'll visit it over the next few months, hopefully with success.

From a personal point of view it's been a terrible year, with the foot-and-mouth outbreak causing the loss of our farm stock and giving problems moving horses. It's been a year to forget. Horses have not lived up to expectations so a lot have been sold on and a lot of new stock in.

We are looking forward to next season with a lot of new faces, about 15, so I'm hoping for better things.

I've enjoyed penning this article for Northern Echo Sport every week and hope I've explained a few of the problems with racing and that you've enjoyed reading it.

Thank you