COMMISSIONS AND RECITALS
"Capturing the spirit of racing through a memento has always been the exclusive preserve of the men and women with a canvass to spare and a few brushes to hand. My message to owners, trainers, racing executives and lovers of the sport in general, is use your imagination, look beyond paint and let the words help personalise your experiences in this great sport." Henry Birtles
Remember a moment, your friend, your champion or even your no-hoper in verse. Henry will consider all aspects of the story you want told.
Notable commissions and recitals include:
The Harvest
for the Harvest Festival Service at Westminster Abbey. Read by Damian Lewis and commissioned by Love British Food for the 1st Harvest Festival Service held in the Abbey since 1966
The Ashes
Written for Shane Warne and Elizabeth Hurley’s Charity Fundraising lunch to celebrate the start of the 2013 Ashes Series
The Spirit of George
Written for Martin & Caroline Frewer in memory of their son, in whose honour they annually host The George Frewer Charity Race Evening at Newbury Racecourse in July
An Irish Mare (Dawn Run)
Features in 2013 Book ‘Literary Cheltenham’
The Contender
Features in Highclere Racing’s 20th Anniversary Book
Arkle's Battlefield
Commissioned by Cheltenham Racecourse and recorded by Channel 4 Racing for their 2009 Gold Cup Day coverage
The Day After
Commissioned by Gulf News, this tribute to the Dubai World Cup was the Sports section’s leader in the Middle East’s most prominent English speaking newspaper.
Best Mate
Commissioned by the Queen’s Master of the Horse, Lord Vestey for his sister-in-law Henrietta Knight, who trained the Great Horse. Recited annually on Gold Cup day at the Best Mate Stature, an event described by Grand National winning Jockey Marcus Armytage in the Daily Telegraph as ‘the non-racing highlight of the Cheltenham Festival’.
In Years to Come
Commissioned by Epsom Racecourse to commemorate Frankie Dettori’s Derby victory on Authorised.
The Derby
Commissioned by Epsom and voiced by Brian Blessed, the poem played out across Epsom Downs during the Derby Parade, minutes before Dettori recorded a only Blue Ribband victory on Authorised.
Ouija Board
Written for Lord Derby and Ed Dunlop, the poem features in Lord Derby’s book on the Earl’s great mare
The Tears of O'Sullevan
Written in honour of Sir Peter O’Sullevan and recited (with Richard Philips Sir Peter impersonations) at a lunch in the Royal Box during the Cheltenham Festival to celebrate the great man’s 90th birthday
The Ascot Bell
Commission by Ascot Racecourse and recited at a Dinner in the Jockey Club Rooms, Newmarket
The Derby
A recital of the poem at the Jockey Club lunch on Derby Day
Celeric
A commission by Jono Spence to commemorate Celeric’s Ascot Gold Cup victory, as a present to his father Christopher, the then Senior Steward of the Jockey Club
The Goffs Million
Commission by Goffs to write a poem to promote The Goffs Million
The Derby and Ouiji Board
A recital of both at the 2007 Derby Party hosted by Elizabeth Hurley and the Derby Festival Magazine
The Egg
Written in honour of Racing broadcaster Rishi Persad
Desert Orchid's Gold
at Cheltenham Racecourse. Murphy’s Gold Cup lunch.
Racecards
Ouija Board, The Derby, The Ascot Bell – Poems featured in racecards on Oaks Day, Derby Day and King George Day