Barnets, bonking and bore-fests: Racing on TV

Trainer (BBC, 1991-92)

A “classy” soap where big hair and bright teeth were the order of the day. Axed after the second series with a murder-mystery cliffhanger left infuriatingly unresolved.

Riders (ITV, 1993)

Billed as a titillating “sex sizzler”, this adaptation of a Jilly Cooper novel rather flattered to deceive. “All sound and furry animals, dignifying nothing,” as one TV critic put it.

Rough Diamond (RTE/BBC, 2007)

Had the budget but, unfortunately, not the quality to persuade TV bosses to commission a second series. At times the horses were more convincing than the humans.