It's not really that long ago and was a most welcoming era that coincided on the level with SeaThe Stars career and the beginning of Frankels, and witnessed a continued run of years that was a gift to racing, something that in another era would have consolidated the standing of the sport, even without promotion from within.
However, times had already changed in a sport that had fallen a couple of tiers in real popularity (which is not measured by a head count of the weekend and evening attendees at the cult crowd courses), and the number of new genuine racing fans the era attracted is now comparatively small as the decline has continued.
There was a TV interview after one of Frankel's victories with Khalid Abdullah's racing manager Lord Grimthorpe, who was full of beans and cheerily proclaiming that Frankel will have created a whole new generation of racing aficionados.
The problem for those who are within the confines of the racing circle is that they overestimate the popularity of the sport outside of their cliques. It's regrettable but true that the horse who surpassed the Timeform rating of the mighty Sea Bird, something we never thought would happen, would not break into the outside world and be lauded like a Pele,Viv Richards, Mark Spitz, Mohammed Ali, Eddie Merckx, Ayrton Senna did in their respective sports. For truth be told, outside of the sport there is no Frankel legacy.
In the case of Kauto Star, the best chaser since Arkle, more hope could be clinged on to for it is invariably the great National Hunt horses that stoke up admiration for the game and reign in new fans. Grundy was a distant background figure compared to Red Rum in the popularity stakes, the same could be said when comparing Nashwan to Desert Orchid, or Sea The Stars with Kauto and Denman.
Alas, no long term benefit had been derived from that wonderful period for steeplechasing that concluded nearly a decade back. Just look around racecourses now and see what a rarity if is to spot a book stall, or one with paintings and photos.These were once standing dishes at almost every course and appeared to be attracting a strong, steady stream of business throughout the day.
It's a sign that the tracks are being populated by an increasingly 'cold' audience who have no feel for the game. You saw them at Cheltenham last weekend when ITV randomly picked out a group of twenty somethings on course who were going on about backing number this and number that. This really is how it is.
And those pictures from Haydock Park today - yes there were plenty crowded around the paddock but it was hard to pick anyone out who looked under forty, a sign that the attendees born after1980 are a different species from the fans who have sadly either passed on, are seriously ill, are infirm, or who have gone mad with age.
Some may say, well, what's to worry about if they call horses by numbers or don't buy old racing books? The worry is that these emerging generations will wager their betting money on things other than racing away from the course. And as the share of racing's percentage of the betting pie decreases, the financial shortfall will deepen.
This can't be repeated enough, nor can the certainty that anyone becoming hooked on the sport and developing a real passion for it, will be a punter for life and a contributor as most, no matter how knowledgeable, lack the iron clad self discipline to squeeze out a long term profit.
The attempt by the TV broadcasters to allay an impression that the sport is thriving is total illusory. It's wilting. And what is scary is that we exist in an era were customs, beliefs and habits don't change gradually anymore, they change overnight.
The most ridiculous concepts are being forced on society and rapidly moving tide of change will leave horse racing behind. It's not a sport that can modernise and keep its place.To those who make things move within populations, any sport that involves animals is not one that is acceptable to have links with.
Whether it be in the area of betting turnover, or in the sphere of the high equine wastage rate within the sport, no amount of cajolery from smug TV frontmen will improve the standing of the sport. It's merely papering over cracks that can't now fully be hidden.
That Panorama programme has done more damage than those within the sport think. Try talking to normal everyday people who once thought that the so called welfare issues within the sport were confined to the Grand National and whips - the programme really proved to be an eye opener for them.
ITV racing addressed it once, raised it as a concern, but have gone quiet, preferring instead to portray a John Craven's Newsround image of the sport, probably hoping that the wastage issue is back to how it was - out of sight, out of mind.
They are very mistaken. It's a subject now out in the open and one that won't be going away.
image taken by author
This previously unreleased track appeared on what was in most part a compilation album released the day before Terry Biddlecombe partnered the Fred Rimmel trained future Grand National winner Gay Trip to success in the Mackeson. As well as the horse racing being in a better place, so to was music. Anyone who has read Roger Daltrey's ' Thanks A Lot Mr Kibblewhite' will be aware how much respect he had for the singing ability of Steve Marriott.
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