THE Christmas tree lies alone in the street, like a man shot and forgotten. Empty champagne bottles clang in the recycling bin. Eclipse Awards ballots have been cast, the only question to be answered is Arrogate or California Chrome for Horse of the Year.

Racing has dwindled to a few select southern spots with moments of light – the Pegasus World Cup in late January – and other long forgotten winter islands offering daily fodder for the gambler and the insane.