New Year is a time for looking forward and The Beast has dusted off his crystal ball to have a look ahead to 2009. (Is it really 2009 it seems it was only yesterday we were seeing in the new millennium).
Like everywhere else the credit crunch will dominate racing in 2009 and by the end of the year I can see there being a lot fewer horses in training (which may not be a bad thing).
I also envisage at least two of our courses disappearing for good in 2009, although we will see the opening of a new course at Ffos Las. However most racegoers will a) not have a clue how to pronounce it and b) won’t have the foggiest idea where it is. Although Fakenham will be happy knowing it is no longer the UK’s most remote course.
On a lighter note, here are some more predictions for 2009.
January
Irish trainer Jimmy O’Bollinger launches a blistering attack on National Hunt racing, declaring the Cheltenham Festival to be “as significant as my local donkey Derby.”
February
Carrying on his crusade Jimmy O’Bollinger calls for the abolition of National Hunt racing.
March
Newest Approaching, trained by Jimmy O’Bollinger, romps home the easy ten length victor of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. The trainer states the horse was only entered in the race due to an administrative error.
As the Denman / Kauto Star debate sends another 100,000 race fans to sleep, neither make it to the Gold Cup which is won by a 66/1 outsider.
April
The twenty seventh appeal by Dean McKeown against his warning-off fails, proving he is as good at throwing away appeals as he is races (allegedly).
May
A new EU directive forces the Newmarket authorities to rename two of the classics. So punters now have to tackle the 2,362 Euros and the 1,181 Euros.
June
Global warming forces the abandonment of the Derby after 6” of snow falls on Epsom Downs. In a rapid rescheduling the BHA decree the race will be run at Southwell’s AW meeting the following day.
July
Jockey Jamie Moore enters hospital for a pioneering humour implant operation. Unfortunately doctors declare the operation a failure when the implant rejects the champion jockey.
August
After yet more flooding at Worcester, Arena Leisure announce they are to deposit 1,000 tons of sand on the site and run Laytown style meeting in future.
September
Kieren Fallon returns to race riding and wins the opener at Laytown, the only meeting at which he can get a ride.
October
There is a major diplomatic incident at Longchamp as Frankie Dettori mis-times his flying dismount and lands on top of Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.
November
In another thrilling finish to the flat season, Frankie Dettori just beats Ryan Moore by a smile.
December
In an attempt to make the cross country events more interesting Cheltenham introduce some new features including machine gun posts to shoot jockeys who take short cuts. Making the ditches deeper and adding piranha fish to the water.
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Friday, 19 December 2008
Bouquets and Brickbats
I have to admit I am not usually one for making New Year resolutions.
After all they are usually self indulgent and unachievable.
So to my utter surprise I made a New Year resolution for 2008 and, as you kindly asked, yes it was self-indulgent and, thanks to the vagaries of the British climate, ultimately unachievable.
My resolution – to revisit every UK racecourse in 2008, plus visit our newest course at Great Leighs.
The really frustrating aspect is I only failed by one, the miscreant being York. If you remember our balmy summer you will recall the August meeting was lost to waterlogging. Any other year it would not have been an insurmountable problem as York also normally race in September. This year, ironically, the season finished early so drainage work could be undertaken to address the waterlogging issue.
So I managed to visit every other course – which of them deserve bouquets and which brickbats?
Ascot
The first of our bouquets here. After the initial teething problems with the new stand they have listened to the public and the improvements have worked. I love the place now – they have introduced themed days without impinging on the racing itself and are attracting new racegoers.
After all they are usually self indulgent and unachievable.
So to my utter surprise I made a New Year resolution for 2008 and, as you kindly asked, yes it was self-indulgent and, thanks to the vagaries of the British climate, ultimately unachievable.
My resolution – to revisit every UK racecourse in 2008, plus visit our newest course at Great Leighs.
The really frustrating aspect is I only failed by one, the miscreant being York. If you remember our balmy summer you will recall the August meeting was lost to waterlogging. Any other year it would not have been an insurmountable problem as York also normally race in September. This year, ironically, the season finished early so drainage work could be undertaken to address the waterlogging issue.
So I managed to visit every other course – which of them deserve bouquets and which brickbats?
Ascot
The first of our bouquets here. After the initial teething problems with the new stand they have listened to the public and the improvements have worked. I love the place now – they have introduced themed days without impinging on the racing itself and are attracting new racegoers.
Cartmel
Well what can be said? The viewing is terrible and the racing is generally moderate (and that is being generous) but, you know what, it doesn’t matter one jot.
The atmosphere is great and the setting idyllic.Everyone should visit Cartmel races at least once in their life.
Cartmel just gets a bouquet for being Cartmel
Cheltenham
Well a big bouquet for their handling of the Festival Gales and the rescheduling of the meeting into three days – who will forget super Thursday with ten races?
Still a great course although it can get a tad uncomfortable on the really busy days.
Chester
For me overrated and overpriced, however they still manage to attract the crowds – it is just a same the crowds are predominantly stag and hen parties.
The idiosyncratic track detracts from fair racing, especially over sprint distances.
So it is the first brickbat awarded.
Doncaster
It may be new and “improved” course but it is grossly overpriced so a brickbat to Donny.
Epsom
In the middle of a massive redevelopment they still managed to stage the Derby meeting so a bouquet to Epsom and here’s hoping the new stand delivers all it promises.
So a bouquet to the Surrey course.
Fontwell
I am biased here, this is where I caught the racing bug – a delightful course and nothing in racing beats standing in the centre of the course during a steeplechase.
My one worry is the proposed new development does not detract from its charm, so a bouquet as a sweetener in the hope the changes are sympathetic.
Goodwood
Fontwell’s neighbour. Glorious racing, glorious setting and views to die for. A massive bunch of flowers here.
Great Leighs
Bouquets and brickbats here.
Bouquets for finally opening and for the enthusiasm and dedication of the team. Also a bouquet for producing the fairest AW racing surface in the country.
The brickbat is for the admission prices, which are high considering the viewing is so poor.
Haydock
Another brickbat awarded, this time for emasculating the jumping and introducing portable fences.
Also for putting interests of the beer swilling masses ahead of the racing fans.Both a dreadful shame as Haydock is a lovely course otherwise.
Huntingdon
From an aesthetic point of view it will not set your pulse racing. Functional rather than flash but with reasonable viewing and with some occasional very high class fields.
A bouquet for moving the Peterborough Chase back to a midweek slot and attracting a very competitive, high class, field.
Towcester
Still offering free admission – why can they do it and not others?
So, a nice bunch of red roses for Towcester.
Wetherby
It has been a very difficult eighteen months for Wetherby with a course re-alignment forced upon them.
The damage to the racing surface, especially on the chase course, was worse than anticipated.
However they have persevered and seem to have generally overcome the problems.
So a bouquet to Wetherby’s team.
Worcester
It could be a bunch of lily’s for Worcester.Beset by flooding problems it is had to see how the course can struggle to be viable in the current economic conditions.
Monday, 8 December 2008
Cheers And Tears
Balance is the essence of the universe. The Chinese call it Ying and Yang. Without balance nothing exists.
In life it is generally only the very young do not have an awareness that life is an emotional rollercoaster. If a child has been fortunate enough to have had a stress free childhood, then as soon as the teenage hormones begin flowing they will soon realise life is an emotional roller coaster and, unlike at Alton Towers, it is a ride that never stops.
Racing is, of course, no different. One moment there can be adrenalin induced highs resulting is resounding cheers, the next that gut wrenching feeling you have in the pit of your stomach when something goes seriously awry and the tears begin flowing.
Saturday’s racing at Sandown Park was one of those days when both sets of emotions came to the fore.
The cheers came for two horses, one giving the first indication of his potential, the other underlining the potential he showed last year.
In the Henry VIII Chase all Free World had to do was turn up and the race was his – well that is what most thought.
Trained by champion trainer Paul Nicholls and ridden by the champion jockey AP McCoy. The only conceivable danger could have come from Alan King's Araldur, ridden by Robert Thornton.
As they came to the last the pair were well clear of their rivals and Free World seemed to have the edge over his rival.
Then it happened, Thornton actually managed to out-McCoy McCoy.
Ask any jump jockey what they fear most in a race and they will probably respond 'McCoy in a driving finish'. He is not the greatest jump jockey ever for nothing and his ability to ride a well timed, powerful, finish is second to none.
Yet, here at Sandown, in one of the toughest and unforgiving finishing straights in the country Robert Thornton was doing to McCoy what McCoy has done to so many of his rivals. He was outriding him.
In one of the best riding displays seen in a long time Thornton, metaphorically, carried his mount over the line to beat the odds-on favourite and champion jockey by a neck.
AP had been well and truly McCoyed.
The excitement was accentuated by the roar of the Sandown crowd. It is said to be impossible to beat the roar of the Cheltenham crowd, but from my vantage point high up in the Esher grandstand, I think the Surrey crowd gave the Gloucestershire / Irish mob a good run for their money.
Barely 35 minutes later the big race, the Tingle Creek, was underway. Usually a very competitive affair this year the star attraction was Master Minded. Another Paul Nichols charge – the one who left racegoers open mouthed in awe at his 19 length win in Cheltenham’s Queen Mother Champion Chase last March.
His only serious rival was Howard Johnson’s Tiday Bay and possibly his stablemate, last years winner, Twist Magic.
Yet it was neither of these who turned out to be his greatest threat. An obscure German raider called Fiepes Shuffle turned out to be the greatest danger.
The raider fell at the first fence but was soon on his feet and the loose horse decided to keep the front running Master Minded company as they turned out of the home straight.
AP McCoy, probably still stinging from his previous race defeat, was Master Minded’s controversial jockey at Sandown and I’m sure he, like many of us viewing from the stands, must have had flash backs to Clan Royal being taken out by a loose horse in the 2005 Grand National.
Eventually this loose horse decided to take the hurdle course and Master Minded was left to give a master class in a contest that was anything but a race.
Of his rivals Tidal Bay just wasn’t at the races and his stablemate fell at the second last when in second place but never likely to challenge the leader.
Again the Sandown roar did its utmost to lift the roof off the stand. This time in admiration of a class horse rather than a thrilling contest but the roar was just as heartfelt.
So we had the Ying aplenty, from two horses. One already an established star the other showing great potential. All being well Master Minded and Araldur are two names that will be discussed in years to come.
Now where there is the Ying there is also the Yang.
The Yang at Sandown came in the last race, the inaugural running of the London National.
Blue Splash will not be a horse familiar to most racegoers, trained by Peter Bowen his form figures coming into Saturday’s race were run 17, won 4, placed twice.
Nobody knew it when the runners set of at 3:35 but this was to be Blue Splash’s last race. His ending provided more than enough Yang to balance out the earlier Ying and it was to produce enough tears to balance out the earlier cheers.
Blue Splash was pulled up by Seamus Durack after the final fence on the first circuit. Durack quickly dismounted and started leading the horse back to the stables. Initially he looked sound and was walking back OK but slowly.
It was when he was walking past the stands that I saw out of the corner of my eye that he seemed to have "gone wrong" behind - it's strange how you suddenly notice these things, even when not actually consciously watching.
When I next looked a few second later Durack was removing the saddle and at the same time Blue Splash started showing the "classic" signs of a horse having a heart attack.
Unfortunately he collapsed right in front of the packed enclosure, no more than five or six feet from the rail.
In terms of getting to the horse it happened in the worse possible place - the vet was with him very quickly but she could do nothing to help alleviate the horses suffering until the screens arrived. Unfortunately it was the most inaccessible place for the following vehicles to get to and it seemed an eternity before the truck with the screens arrived.
The screens that could allow the horse some privacy and dignity in his final moments.
In a perverse way it was a blessing it happened so close to the rail as most racegoers would not have seen too much of what was unfolding on the course - although for those by the rail it must have been terrible and there were families down there too.
It was distressing seeing the horses life coming to an end so publicly and I am not ashamed to admit I had tears rolling down my cheek at what was unfolding before me.
One couldn’t help thinking what must have been going through the horses mind at this time – do they have any concept of what is happening to them? I hope not.
The incident also brings home the danger of the sport we follow so closely. How the competitors, occasionally human, more frequently equine, sometimes pay the ultimate price.
Although it was not pleasant to view, I can also see some positives from what happened so publicly on Saturday. It will remind some racegoers who forget (or choose to ignore), in particular those morons who cheer when a horse falls, that the sport is fraught with dangers and our enjoyment comes at a price.
The horses are not just objects provided for our entertainment, they are living creatures. They are generally loved and very well cared for, none more so than by the lad or lass who looks after them every day.
One scene that always upsets me at a racecourse is a lad or lass walking down the course, nearly always in floods of tears, carrying the tack of a horse of theirs who will not be returning home.
By all means cheer at the Ying but please never forget the Yang.
RIP Blue Splash born 23rd April 2000 died 6th December 2008
In life it is generally only the very young do not have an awareness that life is an emotional rollercoaster. If a child has been fortunate enough to have had a stress free childhood, then as soon as the teenage hormones begin flowing they will soon realise life is an emotional roller coaster and, unlike at Alton Towers, it is a ride that never stops.
Racing is, of course, no different. One moment there can be adrenalin induced highs resulting is resounding cheers, the next that gut wrenching feeling you have in the pit of your stomach when something goes seriously awry and the tears begin flowing.
Saturday’s racing at Sandown Park was one of those days when both sets of emotions came to the fore.
The cheers came for two horses, one giving the first indication of his potential, the other underlining the potential he showed last year.
In the Henry VIII Chase all Free World had to do was turn up and the race was his – well that is what most thought.
Trained by champion trainer Paul Nicholls and ridden by the champion jockey AP McCoy. The only conceivable danger could have come from Alan King's Araldur, ridden by Robert Thornton.
As they came to the last the pair were well clear of their rivals and Free World seemed to have the edge over his rival.
Then it happened, Thornton actually managed to out-McCoy McCoy.
Ask any jump jockey what they fear most in a race and they will probably respond 'McCoy in a driving finish'. He is not the greatest jump jockey ever for nothing and his ability to ride a well timed, powerful, finish is second to none.
Yet, here at Sandown, in one of the toughest and unforgiving finishing straights in the country Robert Thornton was doing to McCoy what McCoy has done to so many of his rivals. He was outriding him.
In one of the best riding displays seen in a long time Thornton, metaphorically, carried his mount over the line to beat the odds-on favourite and champion jockey by a neck.
AP had been well and truly McCoyed.
The excitement was accentuated by the roar of the Sandown crowd. It is said to be impossible to beat the roar of the Cheltenham crowd, but from my vantage point high up in the Esher grandstand, I think the Surrey crowd gave the Gloucestershire / Irish mob a good run for their money.
Barely 35 minutes later the big race, the Tingle Creek, was underway. Usually a very competitive affair this year the star attraction was Master Minded. Another Paul Nichols charge – the one who left racegoers open mouthed in awe at his 19 length win in Cheltenham’s Queen Mother Champion Chase last March.
His only serious rival was Howard Johnson’s Tiday Bay and possibly his stablemate, last years winner, Twist Magic.
Yet it was neither of these who turned out to be his greatest threat. An obscure German raider called Fiepes Shuffle turned out to be the greatest danger.
The raider fell at the first fence but was soon on his feet and the loose horse decided to keep the front running Master Minded company as they turned out of the home straight.
AP McCoy, probably still stinging from his previous race defeat, was Master Minded’s controversial jockey at Sandown and I’m sure he, like many of us viewing from the stands, must have had flash backs to Clan Royal being taken out by a loose horse in the 2005 Grand National.
Eventually this loose horse decided to take the hurdle course and Master Minded was left to give a master class in a contest that was anything but a race.
Of his rivals Tidal Bay just wasn’t at the races and his stablemate fell at the second last when in second place but never likely to challenge the leader.
Again the Sandown roar did its utmost to lift the roof off the stand. This time in admiration of a class horse rather than a thrilling contest but the roar was just as heartfelt.
So we had the Ying aplenty, from two horses. One already an established star the other showing great potential. All being well Master Minded and Araldur are two names that will be discussed in years to come.
Now where there is the Ying there is also the Yang.
The Yang at Sandown came in the last race, the inaugural running of the London National.
Blue Splash will not be a horse familiar to most racegoers, trained by Peter Bowen his form figures coming into Saturday’s race were run 17, won 4, placed twice.
Nobody knew it when the runners set of at 3:35 but this was to be Blue Splash’s last race. His ending provided more than enough Yang to balance out the earlier Ying and it was to produce enough tears to balance out the earlier cheers.
Blue Splash was pulled up by Seamus Durack after the final fence on the first circuit. Durack quickly dismounted and started leading the horse back to the stables. Initially he looked sound and was walking back OK but slowly.
It was when he was walking past the stands that I saw out of the corner of my eye that he seemed to have "gone wrong" behind - it's strange how you suddenly notice these things, even when not actually consciously watching.
When I next looked a few second later Durack was removing the saddle and at the same time Blue Splash started showing the "classic" signs of a horse having a heart attack.
Unfortunately he collapsed right in front of the packed enclosure, no more than five or six feet from the rail.
In terms of getting to the horse it happened in the worse possible place - the vet was with him very quickly but she could do nothing to help alleviate the horses suffering until the screens arrived. Unfortunately it was the most inaccessible place for the following vehicles to get to and it seemed an eternity before the truck with the screens arrived.
The screens that could allow the horse some privacy and dignity in his final moments.
In a perverse way it was a blessing it happened so close to the rail as most racegoers would not have seen too much of what was unfolding on the course - although for those by the rail it must have been terrible and there were families down there too.
It was distressing seeing the horses life coming to an end so publicly and I am not ashamed to admit I had tears rolling down my cheek at what was unfolding before me.
One couldn’t help thinking what must have been going through the horses mind at this time – do they have any concept of what is happening to them? I hope not.
The incident also brings home the danger of the sport we follow so closely. How the competitors, occasionally human, more frequently equine, sometimes pay the ultimate price.
Although it was not pleasant to view, I can also see some positives from what happened so publicly on Saturday. It will remind some racegoers who forget (or choose to ignore), in particular those morons who cheer when a horse falls, that the sport is fraught with dangers and our enjoyment comes at a price.
The horses are not just objects provided for our entertainment, they are living creatures. They are generally loved and very well cared for, none more so than by the lad or lass who looks after them every day.
One scene that always upsets me at a racecourse is a lad or lass walking down the course, nearly always in floods of tears, carrying the tack of a horse of theirs who will not be returning home.
By all means cheer at the Ying but please never forget the Yang.
RIP Blue Splash born 23rd April 2000 died 6th December 2008
Monday, 17 November 2008
Cheltenham Open Meeting 2008
Well last weekends Open meeting at Cheltenham was both controversial and dramatic.
Let’s start with the dramatic and Ruby Walsh’s fall on Saturday, when after hitting the deck he was then kicked in the stomach, resulting in having go have emergency surgery to remove a ruptured spleen .
Incidents like this exemplify the risks taken every day by both riders and horses.
It also throws the spotlight on a couple of morons at Wetherby on Saturday, who cheered the falls of both Gold Heart and Knockavilla at Wetherby, who would do well to bear in mind the risks that are taken. (The former of which looked to be a sickening fall, from which the horse happily walked away.)
Presumably these idiots cheer because the fall will work to the advantage of the horse they have backed.
Clearly, also, they have no love or respect for the sport they claim to be following and their ilk have no place on our racecourses.
The only mercy is these idiots form a very small minority.
Now the controversies from the open meeting still rumble on.
The first occurred in the very first race at the meeting. Just in case you have been on planet Zog for the past few days, jockey Jason McKeown had dropped his whip and asked a rival jockey, who was dropping out of contention, if he could borrow his whip – which was lent to him.
He then went on to win the race.
The stewards held an inquiry and decided there was not a rule to cover such an eventuality, which is correct.
However allowing the winner to keep the race cannot be correct.
If a rider drops his whip then it is tough luck.
There is no doubt that without the whip the “winner” would not have run the race. Taking this situation further had McKeown “borrowed” a whip from a jockey riding for the same stable he would have been “done” under the team tactics rule.
It is anomalies in the rules such as these which make a mockery of and undermine confidence in racing.
That the winner was allowed to keep the race is nothing short of a disgrace.
There are some who have compared the two day ban given to McKeown with the 20 day ban given to Lester Piggot when he grabbed a whip in a race in France.
There is, however, a big difference in that Piggot actually snatched the whip from a rival as opposed to asking for it.
The other controversy is another shot in the foot for the racing authorities and again poses some interesting questions.
Again if you had not returned from Zog by the time the cross-country race was run.
In the race jockey Davey Russell appeared to cut a corner, thus saving ground, when riding Dix Villez, to a hard fought victory. With the “short cut” having made all the difference.
However the short cut turned out to be legitimate. Russell had done his homework and he even checked with the stewards beforehand that his planned route was legitimate.
As he said after the race, "I spoke to the stewards before the race because shortcuts make all the difference in races like these.
"The bushes are not markers, I paid particular detail to it. It was totally premeditated."
So full marks to Russell and well done on his initiative and for learning the course.
The question is why did the other jockeys not realise the shorter route was legitimate?
Indeed by taking a longer route could they not be done for not riding to the best advantage.
However Russell’s initiative does mask an underlying problem in there should be no doubt as to the correct course to take.
It is very easy to take the wrong route on Cheltenham’s cross-country course and the penalties for taking the wrong course are high. So much so there are a number of “senior” jockeys who will not ride the course.
Officials must look at a better way to mark out the cross-country course so there is no ambiguity and it is easier for the jockeys to determine which route should be taken.
There are many who would not give a second thought to scrapping cross-country races and debacles like Friday’s just give them more ammunition.
Those of us who like the variety these races provide want to see some more credibility.
Let’s start with the dramatic and Ruby Walsh’s fall on Saturday, when after hitting the deck he was then kicked in the stomach, resulting in having go have emergency surgery to remove a ruptured spleen .
Incidents like this exemplify the risks taken every day by both riders and horses.
It also throws the spotlight on a couple of morons at Wetherby on Saturday, who cheered the falls of both Gold Heart and Knockavilla at Wetherby, who would do well to bear in mind the risks that are taken. (The former of which looked to be a sickening fall, from which the horse happily walked away.)
Presumably these idiots cheer because the fall will work to the advantage of the horse they have backed.
Clearly, also, they have no love or respect for the sport they claim to be following and their ilk have no place on our racecourses.
The only mercy is these idiots form a very small minority.
Now the controversies from the open meeting still rumble on.
The first occurred in the very first race at the meeting. Just in case you have been on planet Zog for the past few days, jockey Jason McKeown had dropped his whip and asked a rival jockey, who was dropping out of contention, if he could borrow his whip – which was lent to him.
He then went on to win the race.
The stewards held an inquiry and decided there was not a rule to cover such an eventuality, which is correct.
However allowing the winner to keep the race cannot be correct.
If a rider drops his whip then it is tough luck.
There is no doubt that without the whip the “winner” would not have run the race. Taking this situation further had McKeown “borrowed” a whip from a jockey riding for the same stable he would have been “done” under the team tactics rule.
It is anomalies in the rules such as these which make a mockery of and undermine confidence in racing.
That the winner was allowed to keep the race is nothing short of a disgrace.
There are some who have compared the two day ban given to McKeown with the 20 day ban given to Lester Piggot when he grabbed a whip in a race in France.
There is, however, a big difference in that Piggot actually snatched the whip from a rival as opposed to asking for it.
The other controversy is another shot in the foot for the racing authorities and again poses some interesting questions.
Again if you had not returned from Zog by the time the cross-country race was run.
In the race jockey Davey Russell appeared to cut a corner, thus saving ground, when riding Dix Villez, to a hard fought victory. With the “short cut” having made all the difference.
However the short cut turned out to be legitimate. Russell had done his homework and he even checked with the stewards beforehand that his planned route was legitimate.
As he said after the race, "I spoke to the stewards before the race because shortcuts make all the difference in races like these.
"The bushes are not markers, I paid particular detail to it. It was totally premeditated."
So full marks to Russell and well done on his initiative and for learning the course.
The question is why did the other jockeys not realise the shorter route was legitimate?
Indeed by taking a longer route could they not be done for not riding to the best advantage.
However Russell’s initiative does mask an underlying problem in there should be no doubt as to the correct course to take.
It is very easy to take the wrong route on Cheltenham’s cross-country course and the penalties for taking the wrong course are high. So much so there are a number of “senior” jockeys who will not ride the course.
Officials must look at a better way to mark out the cross-country course so there is no ambiguity and it is easier for the jockeys to determine which route should be taken.
There are many who would not give a second thought to scrapping cross-country races and debacles like Friday’s just give them more ammunition.
Those of us who like the variety these races provide want to see some more credibility.
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
2008 Flat Season Review
Well another flat season comes to an end and it has been quite a season.
Aiden O’Brien and his Ballydoyle machine has had a brilliant season winning a majority of the Group One races. Clearly losing Kieran Fallon has not had a detrimental effect and in Johnny Murtagh they seem to have found an able substitute.
Of course the winning streak has not come without its critics. Firstly us Brits love to knock a winner then there has been the controversy surrounding the use of team tactics and, on more than one occasion, team Ballydoyle have fallen foul of various teams of stewards around the world. Of course there has also been the pocket talking criticism from losing punters who just cannot accept they picked the wrong horse and they need somebody else to blame.
Talking of controversy the biggest controversy of the season must surround the “will he, won’t he” saga of New Approach’s Epsom Derby participation. The ins and outs have been discussed ad-nauseum elsewhere and I don’t intend digging them up again. Suffice to say it is my belief that Jim Bolger is an inherently honest man and the behaviour of certain members of the media in this matter has been nothing short of a disgrace.
After the excitement of last years jockeys championship which, went to the last race on the last day of the season, the 2008 renewal was something of an anti-climax. Ryan Moore, who has a hate / hate relationship with the media, regained the title with some ease, after missing most of last season through injury. There is no doubt he is a competent jockey and he lets his riding do the talking. However he would do well to remember a little humility and civility would go a long way to making his life easier.
The big festivals came and went, although York didn’t even get off the ground due to flooding.
The end of the season was, however, sullied with more scandal. Following a BHA inquiry trainer Paul Blockley and jockey Dean McKeown, along with some other unsavoury characters, including a pretty obnoxious owner, were warned off for cheating. The implementation of the ban was delayed for seven days in the case of McKeown and in that time he was referred to the BHA for another offence under the non-triers rule – you couldn’t make it up.
The plaudits for me:-
Trainer of the year:- a tie between Aiden O’Brien and Jim Bolger (with a special mention for Sir
Michael Stoute who finally won that elusive St Leger)
Horse Of The Year:- another tie between Derby winner New Approach and Conduit who after winning the St Leger went and beat the Yanks at the Breeders Cup)
Jockey Of The Year:- Ryan Moore (with special mentions for Kevin Manning and Johnny Murtagh)
Aiden O’Brien and his Ballydoyle machine has had a brilliant season winning a majority of the Group One races. Clearly losing Kieran Fallon has not had a detrimental effect and in Johnny Murtagh they seem to have found an able substitute.
Of course the winning streak has not come without its critics. Firstly us Brits love to knock a winner then there has been the controversy surrounding the use of team tactics and, on more than one occasion, team Ballydoyle have fallen foul of various teams of stewards around the world. Of course there has also been the pocket talking criticism from losing punters who just cannot accept they picked the wrong horse and they need somebody else to blame.
Talking of controversy the biggest controversy of the season must surround the “will he, won’t he” saga of New Approach’s Epsom Derby participation. The ins and outs have been discussed ad-nauseum elsewhere and I don’t intend digging them up again. Suffice to say it is my belief that Jim Bolger is an inherently honest man and the behaviour of certain members of the media in this matter has been nothing short of a disgrace.
After the excitement of last years jockeys championship which, went to the last race on the last day of the season, the 2008 renewal was something of an anti-climax. Ryan Moore, who has a hate / hate relationship with the media, regained the title with some ease, after missing most of last season through injury. There is no doubt he is a competent jockey and he lets his riding do the talking. However he would do well to remember a little humility and civility would go a long way to making his life easier.
The big festivals came and went, although York didn’t even get off the ground due to flooding.
The end of the season was, however, sullied with more scandal. Following a BHA inquiry trainer Paul Blockley and jockey Dean McKeown, along with some other unsavoury characters, including a pretty obnoxious owner, were warned off for cheating. The implementation of the ban was delayed for seven days in the case of McKeown and in that time he was referred to the BHA for another offence under the non-triers rule – you couldn’t make it up.
The plaudits for me:-
Trainer of the year:- a tie between Aiden O’Brien and Jim Bolger (with a special mention for Sir
Michael Stoute who finally won that elusive St Leger)
Horse Of The Year:- another tie between Derby winner New Approach and Conduit who after winning the St Leger went and beat the Yanks at the Breeders Cup)
Jockey Of The Year:- Ryan Moore (with special mentions for Kevin Manning and Johnny Murtagh)
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Breeders Cup - World Championship?
This coming weekend sees the Breeders Cup, modestly dubbed racings “World Championships.”
World Championships – please don’t make me laugh!!!!
Although, for the first time, this years races take place on a synthetic surface instead of the usual dirt, a surface alien to most runners elsewhere in the world.
Then again our American cousins are no strangers to Hyperbole – their rounders, sorry baseball, championships are called the world series yet only North American teams enter.
Although anyone who has ever spent any time watching US news bulletins will soon realise that in American eyes the world ends once away from their shores so their concept that any American sporting event is a world event is perhaps understandable.
Nonetheless there is frequently a decent overseas challenge, notably from Europe and these forays have not been without success, although notably less so when the event is held on the west coast, as is the case this year.
At the risk of offending our US cousins why don’t the worlds racing authorities get together and do something really radical and talk to one another and organise a proper world championships.
It could go something like this.
Held annually the event would rotate between one of three racing areas each year, US / Canada, Europe and Far East / Australia.
Possible locations in each area are the current Breeders Cup venues in the US / Canada. The Curragh, Ascot, York and Longchamp in Europe, and Changi, Sha Tin, Tokyo and Flemington or Caufield for the far east / Oz..
Races would be over the range of distances from 5f through to 2m and the host authority would decide the surface to be used.
Each race would have a maximum of twelve runners, three from each “region” plus up to three “guest” runners from the “rest of the world”.
Priority would be given to the “top rated” horses from each division, which should again attract the best horses.
The event would be held over two days allowing for two courses to be used for different surfaces if need be.
OK with changing surfaces it will be difficult to compare like with like over the years but it gives horses a chance to compete in different conditions and in different environments.
Surely a true champion can act on any course?
OK there are plenty of holes to pick in my plan but it is at least a starter and certainly better than what we have now.
From a very selfish viewpoint it would also give me an excuse to visit more of the worlds great racecourses.
So come on racing authorities get talking - it would be much better than a Sovereign Series!!!
Monday, 6 October 2008
I Love Paris .....
As Cole Porter wrote, “I love Paris in the springtime,” if, however you are a racing fan the second line of the perennial favourite song is more apposite, “I love Paris in the fall.”
Or, perhaps, to be more precise “I love Paris on the first Sunday in October.”
If you happen to be reading this on another planet, the first Sunday in October sees Paris host the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, one of the greatest flat races in the world.
Longchamp racecourse resides in the bottom corner of the Bois de Boulogne.
For those of you unfamiliar with Paris the Bois de Boulogne is, by day, a beautiful park in western Paris and, by night, home to prostitutes and transvestites (sometimes one and the same).
The course lay on special, free, shuttle buses from nearby Metro stations making it easy to arrive by public transport and certainly one heck of a lot easier than driving.
If you come to Arc day expecting a French ambiance you may well be disappointed, the predominant language amongst the racegoers is English and although an international crowd the Brits predominate.
Indeed my trip was just a day trips and both the outbound and return flights were full with the vast majority being racegoers and the same is true on most other flights and train crossings. It has to be said the majority of Brits make a weekend of the event.
Longchamp is a grand course in every sense of the word. Massive grandstands, manicured lawns and of course its famous parade ring, which now looks sadly dated after Ascot took the concept of its arena design and improved upon it.
It is sad the other meetings held at this magnificent course only attract a few hundred spectators.
But on Arc day we are talking tens of thousands and the place is heaving which invariably means queues, queues for food, queues for drink and, of course, queues for the toilets. Although, as always the queues for the ladies seemed a hell of a lot longer.
The most important thing to do is find a place on the grandstand steps and mark it as being your territory – viewing space is at a premium. If there is a group of you then saving a space is easy.
If, like me, your are on your own ingratiate yourself with your neighbours so they will kepp your space when you have to move off occasionally.
In my case it was a group from a pub in Warwickshire.
The days racing begins with a handicap, a sort of gentle introduction to what is coming later.
Race two is the Prix de l’Abbaye, a five furlong sprint. Now the five furlong, or as they say in France 1,000 metre, course is situated somewhere over the far side of the racecourse. If you can imagine the spring course at Sandown then move it half a mile further away you will have a feel for how impractical it is.
OK I exaggerate slightly when I say it is half a mile away nut it may as well be. Located in the centre of the course the considerate course management then construct a tented village between the stands and the track. As a result from most of the stands you cannot see any of the track and from where I was only the last 50 yards, including the finishing line was visible.
After Equiano was virtually carried into the stalls by the handlers the race was off – or it wasn’t – or it was half off.
Something didn’t look right – some of the runners were going hell for leather, some seemed to be slowing down. Then there was a quick shot of a horse in orange stuck in the stalls, momentarily it looked as though it was the favourite Marchand D’Or but one soon realised the jockey with the bemused look was Ryan Moore.
Confusion abounded, nobody around me had any idea what was going on. Then I saw the red “false start” lights.
I then had a text from the UK – “What happened?”
How the hell do I know – I’m only on course. The female course announcer had lovely sexy French voice but the “there has been a problem with the second race,” was frankly unhelpful.
In the end the only was to find out what was going on was for me to phone back to the UK and pass the information back to the racegoers around me – it was nice to be a public information service.
Eventually it was ascertained the race would be re-run at the end of proceedings but didn’t placate many racegoers who had to get away sharpish to catch coaches, flights trains etc.
Perhaps it wasn’t the beast time to tell them Eurostar were having problems and they may not be getting home anyway!!!
Anyway racing continued, impromptu parties were taking place on the stands. The next party but one were getting more and more lively with the “ladies” bursting into songs from Mamma Mia.
One of my new found friends from the pub in Warwick confided in me that the “ringleader” of that group was on her fourth bottle of Champange.
As the afternoon progressed the volume was pumped up - every time Frankie Dettori rode past the stands her was cheered – win or lose. Every time a losing Ballydoyle runner rode back after a race they were resoundingly booed.
Then came the big race and what a race it was Zarkava showed what a great filly she was. Those around me who had kept faith with the filly were dancing dances of joy and, to their credit those who did not fancy her (myself included) recognised what a great performance she had shown and cheered her back.
The stands also remained packed for the Arc presentation, a magnificent affair where a huge stage is drawn down the course by four great shire horses. Then the winning connections are driven from the parade ring to the presentation dais in a landau. After the presentation the national anthem of the winning nation is played and with France winning it was a home win. It also showed just how few French spectators there were as they were easy to spot – they were the only ones singing along.
The crowds started to thin out after the big race but there were still two contests remaining, plus the l’Abbaye re-run.
The Arab race, which followed the Arc produced a spectacular finish – a three way photo, very much “on the nod.”
By now the Mama Mia chorus had departed but my Warwick friends were still going strong, none more so than the pub landlady.
I was watching the runners going down for the final handicap and she started engaging me in conversation.
“Where do you live?”
I told her. “That’s posh and expensive isn’t it?”
“Not really. I replied”
“I bet you pay a lot of council tax,” she retorted.
“It’s not too bad,” I said intently staring at the runners milling behind the stalls, hoping she would take a hint.
“I bet drink is expensive,” she carried on, not taking the hint, “how much is a drink there.”
“I don’t know,” I replied, “I don’t drink.” Wishing at the same time she didn’t either.
“That’s good,” said my drunken landlady, then a pause.
“So what do you drink?” she carried on, as the runners were going in the stalls.
“I told you I don’t drink,” was my snapped reply.
“I know that but how much do you pay for a soft drink?”
“I DO NOT GO IN PUBS, I ONLY DRINK AT HOME.” Hello, message received I was thinking.
They’re off, I turn to her and say, “I’m very sorry but I need to watch this race.”
“That’s alright,” she says.
Then my worse nightmare, her right had hovering somewhere around the level of my crotch she says “Put it there.”
I almost drop my binoculars, I look down and thank goodness she is just holding out her hand for me to shake it – I just wish she wasn’t holding her hand so low.
Anyway a handshake later and I was left in peace.
Well seven and a bit races down just the re-run to go. It was getting late. I was, luckily, booked on a later flight so I wasn’t quite panicking about the time.
The l’Abbaye went off at 6:50 in very poor light. I’m glad I stayed as Marchand D’Or turned out to be my only winner of the afternoon.
After the race it was a quick dash to the big tree by the entrance to meet my travelling companion for the day. I travelled to and from the course with one of the representatives of a leading bookmaker. It was her first Arc – her reaction – “I can’t wait to come back next year, what a fantastic day.”
And it was. The journey back was very efficient, plenty of shuttle buses. Although advertised as a service every ten minutes, the busses were lined up and as soon as one filled up it set off and the next one was there.
What we feared may have been a tight trip back to the airport was comfortable, although a major disappointment as we were both hungry, was there was no hot food to be obtained in terminal 2B.
As on the trip out the flight was full of racegoers, most of them very tired racegoers.
If you are ever at a loose end the first weekend in October may I suggest a trip to Longchamp.
Make a weekend of it with your loved one or just a day trip. It will be an unforgettable experience and you will get to see some bloody good racing as well.
Or, perhaps, to be more precise “I love Paris on the first Sunday in October.”
If you happen to be reading this on another planet, the first Sunday in October sees Paris host the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, one of the greatest flat races in the world.
Longchamp racecourse resides in the bottom corner of the Bois de Boulogne.
For those of you unfamiliar with Paris the Bois de Boulogne is, by day, a beautiful park in western Paris and, by night, home to prostitutes and transvestites (sometimes one and the same).
The course lay on special, free, shuttle buses from nearby Metro stations making it easy to arrive by public transport and certainly one heck of a lot easier than driving.
If you come to Arc day expecting a French ambiance you may well be disappointed, the predominant language amongst the racegoers is English and although an international crowd the Brits predominate.
Indeed my trip was just a day trips and both the outbound and return flights were full with the vast majority being racegoers and the same is true on most other flights and train crossings. It has to be said the majority of Brits make a weekend of the event.
Longchamp is a grand course in every sense of the word. Massive grandstands, manicured lawns and of course its famous parade ring, which now looks sadly dated after Ascot took the concept of its arena design and improved upon it.
It is sad the other meetings held at this magnificent course only attract a few hundred spectators.
But on Arc day we are talking tens of thousands and the place is heaving which invariably means queues, queues for food, queues for drink and, of course, queues for the toilets. Although, as always the queues for the ladies seemed a hell of a lot longer.
The most important thing to do is find a place on the grandstand steps and mark it as being your territory – viewing space is at a premium. If there is a group of you then saving a space is easy.
If, like me, your are on your own ingratiate yourself with your neighbours so they will kepp your space when you have to move off occasionally.
In my case it was a group from a pub in Warwickshire.
The days racing begins with a handicap, a sort of gentle introduction to what is coming later.
Race two is the Prix de l’Abbaye, a five furlong sprint. Now the five furlong, or as they say in France 1,000 metre, course is situated somewhere over the far side of the racecourse. If you can imagine the spring course at Sandown then move it half a mile further away you will have a feel for how impractical it is.
OK I exaggerate slightly when I say it is half a mile away nut it may as well be. Located in the centre of the course the considerate course management then construct a tented village between the stands and the track. As a result from most of the stands you cannot see any of the track and from where I was only the last 50 yards, including the finishing line was visible.
After Equiano was virtually carried into the stalls by the handlers the race was off – or it wasn’t – or it was half off.
Something didn’t look right – some of the runners were going hell for leather, some seemed to be slowing down. Then there was a quick shot of a horse in orange stuck in the stalls, momentarily it looked as though it was the favourite Marchand D’Or but one soon realised the jockey with the bemused look was Ryan Moore.
Confusion abounded, nobody around me had any idea what was going on. Then I saw the red “false start” lights.
I then had a text from the UK – “What happened?”
How the hell do I know – I’m only on course. The female course announcer had lovely sexy French voice but the “there has been a problem with the second race,” was frankly unhelpful.
In the end the only was to find out what was going on was for me to phone back to the UK and pass the information back to the racegoers around me – it was nice to be a public information service.
Eventually it was ascertained the race would be re-run at the end of proceedings but didn’t placate many racegoers who had to get away sharpish to catch coaches, flights trains etc.
Perhaps it wasn’t the beast time to tell them Eurostar were having problems and they may not be getting home anyway!!!
Anyway racing continued, impromptu parties were taking place on the stands. The next party but one were getting more and more lively with the “ladies” bursting into songs from Mamma Mia.
One of my new found friends from the pub in Warwick confided in me that the “ringleader” of that group was on her fourth bottle of Champange.
As the afternoon progressed the volume was pumped up - every time Frankie Dettori rode past the stands her was cheered – win or lose. Every time a losing Ballydoyle runner rode back after a race they were resoundingly booed.
Then came the big race and what a race it was Zarkava showed what a great filly she was. Those around me who had kept faith with the filly were dancing dances of joy and, to their credit those who did not fancy her (myself included) recognised what a great performance she had shown and cheered her back.
The stands also remained packed for the Arc presentation, a magnificent affair where a huge stage is drawn down the course by four great shire horses. Then the winning connections are driven from the parade ring to the presentation dais in a landau. After the presentation the national anthem of the winning nation is played and with France winning it was a home win. It also showed just how few French spectators there were as they were easy to spot – they were the only ones singing along.
The crowds started to thin out after the big race but there were still two contests remaining, plus the l’Abbaye re-run.
The Arab race, which followed the Arc produced a spectacular finish – a three way photo, very much “on the nod.”
By now the Mama Mia chorus had departed but my Warwick friends were still going strong, none more so than the pub landlady.
I was watching the runners going down for the final handicap and she started engaging me in conversation.
“Where do you live?”
I told her. “That’s posh and expensive isn’t it?”
“Not really. I replied”
“I bet you pay a lot of council tax,” she retorted.
“It’s not too bad,” I said intently staring at the runners milling behind the stalls, hoping she would take a hint.
“I bet drink is expensive,” she carried on, not taking the hint, “how much is a drink there.”
“I don’t know,” I replied, “I don’t drink.” Wishing at the same time she didn’t either.
“That’s good,” said my drunken landlady, then a pause.
“So what do you drink?” she carried on, as the runners were going in the stalls.
“I told you I don’t drink,” was my snapped reply.
“I know that but how much do you pay for a soft drink?”
“I DO NOT GO IN PUBS, I ONLY DRINK AT HOME.” Hello, message received I was thinking.
They’re off, I turn to her and say, “I’m very sorry but I need to watch this race.”
“That’s alright,” she says.
Then my worse nightmare, her right had hovering somewhere around the level of my crotch she says “Put it there.”
I almost drop my binoculars, I look down and thank goodness she is just holding out her hand for me to shake it – I just wish she wasn’t holding her hand so low.
Anyway a handshake later and I was left in peace.
Well seven and a bit races down just the re-run to go. It was getting late. I was, luckily, booked on a later flight so I wasn’t quite panicking about the time.
The l’Abbaye went off at 6:50 in very poor light. I’m glad I stayed as Marchand D’Or turned out to be my only winner of the afternoon.
After the race it was a quick dash to the big tree by the entrance to meet my travelling companion for the day. I travelled to and from the course with one of the representatives of a leading bookmaker. It was her first Arc – her reaction – “I can’t wait to come back next year, what a fantastic day.”
And it was. The journey back was very efficient, plenty of shuttle buses. Although advertised as a service every ten minutes, the busses were lined up and as soon as one filled up it set off and the next one was there.
What we feared may have been a tight trip back to the airport was comfortable, although a major disappointment as we were both hungry, was there was no hot food to be obtained in terminal 2B.
As on the trip out the flight was full of racegoers, most of them very tired racegoers.
If you are ever at a loose end the first weekend in October may I suggest a trip to Longchamp.
Make a weekend of it with your loved one or just a day trip. It will be an unforgettable experience and you will get to see some bloody good racing as well.
Saturday, 4 October 2008
Team Tactics
So the BHA in their wisdom have fined trainer Aiden O’Brien £5,000 and have given jockeys Johnny Murtagh and Colm O’Donoghue seven day bans for breaking the rules on team tactics.
Just as it looked as though the BHA was starting to put their house in order and seem to be distancing themselves from the bumbling incompetence that was the Jockey Club, they come up with this decision.
I am not disputing the rule on team tactics was broken, lets face it O’Donoghue pleaded guilty to the charge. What is so farcical is that such a rule is in the rulebook at all.
It is not necessary.
If an outfit wishes to run more than one runner and adopt tactics that help one of their runners to win, then so be it, as long as no other rules of racing are broken in the process.
If the authorities really are so keen to stop team tactics then why not ban the use of pacemakers - is running a pacemaker not a team tactic?
Provided each runner runs to its merit and to its ability. Provided no interference is caused to other riders. Provided no other rules are broken. Then what is the problem?
If the "team tactics" break any of the other rules (and lets face it the rulebook extends to 501 pages) then use those rules to deal with the matter and punish the offenders accordingly.
So if in moving from the rail to allow another team member through, another horse is interfered with then punish the offending rider under one of the existing rules.
If, in moving over, no interference takes place then what is the problem?
In the race in question no other runner was interfered with. No other runner was disadvantaged. The winner won on merit.
Most of the opposition to what the Ballydoyle team did has been pocket talk from punters who are looking for an “excuse” for backing yet another loser.
In some of the forums people are crowing that Ballydoyle and Coolmore have had their comeuppance. To me this stinks of the politics of envy. That grand British trait to knock anything that is successful, the insidious politics of envy.
The BHA have made great strides to improve the image of racing, they can take an even bigger stride in abolishing Rule 153 (iv) which, in itself, does more to bring racing into disrepute than the events at Newmarket in August.
Just as it looked as though the BHA was starting to put their house in order and seem to be distancing themselves from the bumbling incompetence that was the Jockey Club, they come up with this decision.
I am not disputing the rule on team tactics was broken, lets face it O’Donoghue pleaded guilty to the charge. What is so farcical is that such a rule is in the rulebook at all.
It is not necessary.
If an outfit wishes to run more than one runner and adopt tactics that help one of their runners to win, then so be it, as long as no other rules of racing are broken in the process.
If the authorities really are so keen to stop team tactics then why not ban the use of pacemakers - is running a pacemaker not a team tactic?
Provided each runner runs to its merit and to its ability. Provided no interference is caused to other riders. Provided no other rules are broken. Then what is the problem?
If the "team tactics" break any of the other rules (and lets face it the rulebook extends to 501 pages) then use those rules to deal with the matter and punish the offenders accordingly.
So if in moving from the rail to allow another team member through, another horse is interfered with then punish the offending rider under one of the existing rules.
If, in moving over, no interference takes place then what is the problem?
In the race in question no other runner was interfered with. No other runner was disadvantaged. The winner won on merit.
Most of the opposition to what the Ballydoyle team did has been pocket talk from punters who are looking for an “excuse” for backing yet another loser.
In some of the forums people are crowing that Ballydoyle and Coolmore have had their comeuppance. To me this stinks of the politics of envy. That grand British trait to knock anything that is successful, the insidious politics of envy.
The BHA have made great strides to improve the image of racing, they can take an even bigger stride in abolishing Rule 153 (iv) which, in itself, does more to bring racing into disrepute than the events at Newmarket in August.
Sunday, 20 July 2008
BMW Drivers and Drunks
Time for another rant this week, one racing related the other not.
So let’s get the non-racing one sorted out first of all.
One of the disadvantages of going racing as often as I do is the number of miles that have to be covered, invariably by road. It is also the most tiring aspect of racing as you need your wits about you with some of the idiots you find on the road.
Now I am probably going to risk alienating a number of readers here by saying the worse car drivers on the road seem to be those who drive BMW’s.
I’m not saying all BMW drivers are equally culpable but if there is some idiot hogging lane three of the motorway it is a fair chance it will be a BMW driver.
If there is a car tailgating you have a look when it goes past and it’s a fair chance there will be a BMW manqué on the vehicle.
Queuing somewhere, to leave the racing or when lanes merge on a motorway you can bet your bottom dollar the car trying to push in will be a Beamer.
I have come to the conclusion that BMW stands for Brainless Moronic W*nker, as that seems to sum up the attitude of a large number of BMW drivers. It is almost as it they have a superior arrogance that makes them think they don’t have to follow the same rules as everyone else.
You think I’m making it up – just take a look next time you are off on a long drive.
If the marketing guys at BMW were switched on they could have the strapline “a frontal lobotomy free with every car.”
Speaking of frontal lobotomy’s that brings me onto my next moan – drunks at the races and I’m not talking about jockeys who fail an on-course breath tests.
No I’m referring to those simple minded idiots who seem to be unable to do anything without a drink in their hand and in so doing inflict their boorish behaviour on others.
The extreme instance is an outbreak of fighting of which there have been recent cases at Sandown, Newmarket and Newbury. Thankfully not that too frequent an event but once is too often.
At the next level there are loud boorish groups who pour beer down their throats and become rowdy. Some may think chanting of football songs is cool – maybe it is at a football stadium - it is not appropriate behaviour at a racecourse. On one level it is not pleasant for the majority of racegoers who are there to enjoy the racing.
There is also the safety concern that a jeering crowd could spook a horse leading to a nasty accident. OK it hasn’t happened yet but I’m sure that is down more to good fortune than anything else.
The raceourses do not help matters. Granted they are not charities and they need to make money and believe me having once been a licensee of a social club I know exactly how much profit can be made from booze sales. However the courses actively encourage drinking.
At one of the meetings where there was recent violence there were innumerable young lads walking round actively selling beer to racegoers. I lost count of the number of times I was approached and asked if I wanted to buy some beer. The look of incredulity when I said I didn’t want a drink had to be seen to be believed.
The trouble is some racecourses actively encourage their customers to drink as much as possible – they then shrug their shoulders and tut tut when there are problems as a result.
Indeed there are some courses who actively encourage heavy drinking – there is more than one course who encourages customers to by their drinks in two pint containers – one even pushes beer in four pint jugs.
It is actually illegal for a licensee to sell alcohol to a customer who is drunk – yet at most courses this rule is not enforced. This isn’t helped by the fact that most of those selling the alcohol are barely 18 themselves and do not have the confidence to refuse to serve those who are intoxicated.
There are those who will argue that drinking at the racecourse is not a big problem, it just reflects what happens on most high streets on any Saturday night. Does that make it right?
I avoid high streets on Saturday nights because of drunken morons, why should I avoid going racing to avoid them?
I have no problem if people want to have a drink as long as they don’t make a nuisance of themselves.
The RCA / BHA should implement (or should I say enforce) the following rules straight away.
Anyone who is intoxicated at a racecourse should be ejected immediately.
- Anyone who is drunk and disorderly at a course should be banned from all racecourses for twelve months. For repeat offences a lifetime ban should be applied. The banning orders can be enforceable in the same manner as football banning orders.
- Anyone who is violent at a racecourse should be banned from all sporting venues for life. Again this can be a legally enforceable ban.
- Any racecourse who fails to enforce the rules of its licence should have its licence removed.
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
Tarnished Sovereign
On Wednesday, with a great fanfare, the Sovereign Series was announced.
This is a series of ten of the top flat races which will have funding of £10 with a substantial prize going to connections of the horse which scores most points in the series.
At first glance it sounds a brilliant initiative, a huge injection of funds into racing, a chance to raise a profile of the sport in the eyes of the general public. A large number of whom think there are only two horse races a year, The Grand National and The Derby.
Of course it is very easy for the marketing men to grab a quick headline but, as often happens, the devil is in the detail.
It has to be said the more you look at the detail of the proposed series, the more difficult it becomes to justify the series.The most serious show stopper surrounds the terrestrial broadcasting rights.
The powers that be want the series covered by a single terrestrial broadcaster. The proposed races are currently shown by both the BBC and Channel 4. These is also an expectation that the terrestrial broadcasters will have to bid for the rights.
Quite how this fits in with the Channel Four financial model where they are currently being paid to broadcast racing every Saturday is not clear.
Should they obtain the rights to the Sovereign Series would they still wish to show the “bread and butter” racing the other weeks.
Another major issue is the BBC currently hold the rights to Royal Ascot. Ascot racecourse have said they are not prepared to have terrestrial coverage of the Royal Meeting split across two channels. I can’t see the BBC being wiling to give up their Ascot coverage, one of the “Jewels In The Crown”.
Will the BBC therefore bid for the entire package?
Looking at how they have drastically reduced their coverage in recent years I cannot see that happening.
Again the question will need to be asked if the BBC get the rights will the C4 walk away.My suspicion is whichever terrestrial broadcaster doesn’t win the rights will almost certainly walk away from coverage of racing – that will not help the sport at all.
There are also questions surrounding the races that have been selected for the series.
With such large sums of money at stake, what will be the impact on the non-Sovereign races?
The one that immediately springs to mind is the Champion Stakes at Newmarket, which is the same weekend as the Arc. If a leading horse is in contention for the Sovereign Series big prize will they potentially by-pass the Arc to run at Newmarket. Arguably the Arc is the far superior race.
Why aren’t all the classics being included in the series?
Will the series be supported by all of those in the sport? This will be a showcase series and it will, hopefully, put the sport in the public eye. With that comes responsibility. Those involved, owners, trainers and jockeys need to be accessible. What the series cannot do with, is surly jockeys whose stock answer to general questions from the media is to respond with a two word reply the second of which is off.
Finally I do have one other concern, which may not go down well with the public. We are currently experiencing a credit crunch, people are being asked to tighten their belts. Yet they then see racing launching a £10 million, ten race series and when encouraged to actually come racing and watch the racing live they are charged extortionate amounts to enter the racecourse.
Also the question has to be asked – can the money not be better spent? Certainly there are more pressing needs outside racing but that is another issue. There is talk of a £2m prize to the horse that wins the series – the chances it will go to one of the big stables and the question is do they need the money?
Are there not other areas in racing where the money could be better spent?
Monday, 24 March 2008
Arrogant Bully
Bullying is something you expect in the school playground, perpetrated by immature children.
It is not something you would expect from supposedly top racing trainers.
Yet racing is looking at the unedifying spectacle of trainers like Mark Johnston and John Gosden publicly bullying a small trainer like Christine Dunnett.
The background is trainers are unhappy with the level of prize money available at Yarmouth racecourse on Easter Monday. A group of supposedly senior trainers unilaterally decided to boycott one of the races at Yarmouth, without even having the common courtesy of discussing the matter with the “smaller” trainers who held entries in the race.
Consequently only Christine Dunnett’s runner Southwark Newsboy remained the only runner resulting in a walkover.
So how do these supposedly mature men respond – by sending offensive and bullying e-mails to Mrs Dunnett.
How good it is to see these “respectable” trainers showing their true colours. Gentlemen they are not, arrogant bully boys they are.
Everyone agrees there is a paucity of prize money in UK racing and something needs to be done about it. However the pathetic token protest arranged by racings bully boys hurts nobody other than small trainers like Mrs Dunnett – there is no financial impact at all to the big stables.
Johnston’s attitude in particular stinks of rank hypocrisy, this is the trainer who has spent the winter sending his decent horses to farm low value all weather races. This to the detriment of the smaller trainers who are trying to eke a decent living in the close season. Financially Johnston does not need to run horses at that level.
More to the point what right do the likes of Johnston and Gosden have to tell other trainers where to run their horses? I can imagine Johnston’s or Gosden’s reaction if Mrs Dunnett had dared to tell them where to run their horses.
I used to have a great deal of admiration and respect for Mark Johnston. Note I made that statement in the past tense. Johnston’s true colours have emerged in the appalling mail he sent to Mrs Dunnett.
Both Johnston and Gosden may be good trainers, however their character and personality seems to have something to be desired.
I’m sure Johnston and Gosden’s arrogance is such that they care not what I think, however nothing would make me happier if some of their owners saw them for what they are and took their horses elsewhere.
If there were any justice in this world they would both end up a small trainers themselves.
It is not something you would expect from supposedly top racing trainers.
Yet racing is looking at the unedifying spectacle of trainers like Mark Johnston and John Gosden publicly bullying a small trainer like Christine Dunnett.
The background is trainers are unhappy with the level of prize money available at Yarmouth racecourse on Easter Monday. A group of supposedly senior trainers unilaterally decided to boycott one of the races at Yarmouth, without even having the common courtesy of discussing the matter with the “smaller” trainers who held entries in the race.
Consequently only Christine Dunnett’s runner Southwark Newsboy remained the only runner resulting in a walkover.
So how do these supposedly mature men respond – by sending offensive and bullying e-mails to Mrs Dunnett.
How good it is to see these “respectable” trainers showing their true colours. Gentlemen they are not, arrogant bully boys they are.
Everyone agrees there is a paucity of prize money in UK racing and something needs to be done about it. However the pathetic token protest arranged by racings bully boys hurts nobody other than small trainers like Mrs Dunnett – there is no financial impact at all to the big stables.
Johnston’s attitude in particular stinks of rank hypocrisy, this is the trainer who has spent the winter sending his decent horses to farm low value all weather races. This to the detriment of the smaller trainers who are trying to eke a decent living in the close season. Financially Johnston does not need to run horses at that level.
More to the point what right do the likes of Johnston and Gosden have to tell other trainers where to run their horses? I can imagine Johnston’s or Gosden’s reaction if Mrs Dunnett had dared to tell them where to run their horses.
I used to have a great deal of admiration and respect for Mark Johnston. Note I made that statement in the past tense. Johnston’s true colours have emerged in the appalling mail he sent to Mrs Dunnett.
Both Johnston and Gosden may be good trainers, however their character and personality seems to have something to be desired.
I’m sure Johnston and Gosden’s arrogance is such that they care not what I think, however nothing would make me happier if some of their owners saw them for what they are and took their horses elsewhere.
If there were any justice in this world they would both end up a small trainers themselves.
Saturday, 15 March 2008
Cheltenham Festival 2008 - 4
Although nowhere near my best festival financially, I found it the most exciting Festival in many a long year.
I was greatly impressed by the flexibility of all sides in the rescheduling of Wednesday's races. I know we are often, rightly, critical of the authorities at times, however on this occasion they deserve nothing but praise. I somehow think if the same had happened ten years ago we would have lost the days racing without any attempt to save it.
The only downside of a ten race card, with large fields, is it is physically and mentally exhausting. I have to admit in the Kim Muir on Thursday afternoon (race nine) I completely lost it trying to read the race.
The highlight for me has to be Master Minded, although a heavy losing race for me financially, I don't thing anyone can fail to be impressed with the way he absolutely demolished the field. The sobering thought is he is only a five year old.
Then, just over an hour later, we saw a totally contrasting hero in Inglis Drever - never flash, only just doing enough, but what guts.
The Kauto Star / Denman clash wasn't quite the gladiatorial contest most envisaged, however it was a privilege to watch all the same.
Add to that some exciting finishes, especially in the early races on Friday then the Festival must have something for everyone.
There were some disappointments, Sizing Europe amongst them and there are still as many questions posed as were answered, but that is the joy of racing?
It is after races like Master Minded’s and the Gold Cup that I sometimes wish I had children – so in years to come I could bore my grandchildren with “I was there” tales.
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
Cheltenham Festival 2008 - 3
What a difference a day makes.
Yesterday Cheltenham was abuzz with excitement and there was an interesting days racing.
Definitely a bookies day.
A killer day for me with only one winner and two placed horses. Mixed feelings for the Carberry family A big hug for Nina, not only because she is pretty, but for the great ride to win the cross country. However a kick in the nuts for brother Paul for screwing up a big straight forecast bet I had in the last. I thought Ashkazar to beat Grand Schlem was the best bet of the afternoon. (Pleased for Emma Lavelle though) C'est la vie
Today, well what a difference?
Racing abandoned due to high winds. The course is like a ghost town, albeit a very windy one. Many people are complaining but to me it is a “no brainer”. Conditions are potentially dangerous and no sensible person could take the risk.
As the saying says “every cloud has a silver lining”.
Wednesdays races are going to be rescheduled over the remaining two days.
This means on Thursday we have ten races and Friday we have nine.
Heaven help me – I was knackered after six yesterday.
Tomorrows capacity has been increased from 55,000 to 65,000 – going home will be fun.
Last night it took me 1½ hours to get out of the car park.
Yesterday Cheltenham was abuzz with excitement and there was an interesting days racing.
Definitely a bookies day.
A killer day for me with only one winner and two placed horses. Mixed feelings for the Carberry family A big hug for Nina, not only because she is pretty, but for the great ride to win the cross country. However a kick in the nuts for brother Paul for screwing up a big straight forecast bet I had in the last. I thought Ashkazar to beat Grand Schlem was the best bet of the afternoon. (Pleased for Emma Lavelle though) C'est la vie
Today, well what a difference?
Racing abandoned due to high winds. The course is like a ghost town, albeit a very windy one. Many people are complaining but to me it is a “no brainer”. Conditions are potentially dangerous and no sensible person could take the risk.
As the saying says “every cloud has a silver lining”.
Wednesdays races are going to be rescheduled over the remaining two days.
This means on Thursday we have ten races and Friday we have nine.
Heaven help me – I was knackered after six yesterday.
Tomorrows capacity has been increased from 55,000 to 65,000 – going home will be fun.
Last night it took me 1½ hours to get out of the car park.
Monday, 10 March 2008
Cheltenham Festival 2008 - 2
I’m sitting here on tenterhooks, one television is tuned to ATR and the other to the news channels watching the storm moving across southern England and Wales.
I have also just seen photographs of damage caused to some the temporary stands at Cheltenham.
Why is it this storm has had all winter to wreak its havoc, yet it decides to turn up the very day before the greatest festival of the year?
Of course the local situation at Cheltenham is only part of the problem, horses have to get to the course and who would want to drive a horse box in these windy conditions?
Oh well, we shall have to assume everything will be OK.
The cards are now available for the first day and no great surprises.
For what it’s worth I have already put some each way money on last years winner Sublimity for the Champion Hurdle, however I will also be having an investment on Sizing Europe, who now looks like the probable winner.
The opening Supreme Novices’ looks like being a lottery and will probably be a “no bet” race.
The Arkle is another double bet race for me – the favourite Norland will have to have a really bad day at the office to lose, and he is a must bet proposition. However I want to play for the forecast and I will have some money on Irish Challenger Clopf.
In the William Hill Trophy I have always had a liking for David Pipe’s Abragante and will probably have a small investment on this enigmatic gelding. However a case could be made for most of the runners and it is not a race to be dogmatic about and there are question marks over most of the runners.
The Cross Country chase has long been an Irish benefit and I see nothing different this year. I had originally opted for the favourite Wonderkid, however I now have a leaning towards Garde Champetre from the yard of Enda Bolger who has a brilliant record in Cheltenham cross country races.
The racing ends with the Fred Winter and I have been keen on French trained Grand Schlem since an impressive second at Kempton. However the winner of the Sunderlands Imperial Cup at Sandown on Saturday, Ashkazar, has been entered and with a £50,000 bonus on offer he cannot be ignored.
I have also just seen photographs of damage caused to some the temporary stands at Cheltenham.
Why is it this storm has had all winter to wreak its havoc, yet it decides to turn up the very day before the greatest festival of the year?
Of course the local situation at Cheltenham is only part of the problem, horses have to get to the course and who would want to drive a horse box in these windy conditions?
Oh well, we shall have to assume everything will be OK.
The cards are now available for the first day and no great surprises.
For what it’s worth I have already put some each way money on last years winner Sublimity for the Champion Hurdle, however I will also be having an investment on Sizing Europe, who now looks like the probable winner.
The opening Supreme Novices’ looks like being a lottery and will probably be a “no bet” race.
The Arkle is another double bet race for me – the favourite Norland will have to have a really bad day at the office to lose, and he is a must bet proposition. However I want to play for the forecast and I will have some money on Irish Challenger Clopf.
In the William Hill Trophy I have always had a liking for David Pipe’s Abragante and will probably have a small investment on this enigmatic gelding. However a case could be made for most of the runners and it is not a race to be dogmatic about and there are question marks over most of the runners.
The Cross Country chase has long been an Irish benefit and I see nothing different this year. I had originally opted for the favourite Wonderkid, however I now have a leaning towards Garde Champetre from the yard of Enda Bolger who has a brilliant record in Cheltenham cross country races.
The racing ends with the Fred Winter and I have been keen on French trained Grand Schlem since an impressive second at Kempton. However the winner of the Sunderlands Imperial Cup at Sandown on Saturday, Ashkazar, has been entered and with a £50,000 bonus on offer he cannot be ignored.
Sunday, 9 March 2008
Cheltenham Festival 2008 - 1
As I write this there are just over 53 hours to the scheduled start of the first race at the Cheltenham Festival.
Not I use the expression “scheduled start”, this is because the Met Office are forecasting the mother and father of all storms to arrive overnight tonight and into tomorrow.
Indeed if some reports are to be believed it is not only the mother and father of storms, it looks as though they may be inviting the entire family along as well.
It is not so much the rainfall that concerns me but the wind and the damage it could do to the tented areas at Cheltenham. I was at Huntingdon last year when a min-whirlwind hit the course, with strengths nothing like those forecast in the next 24 hours. There tents and marquees were lifted like matchwood and some brave soles fought to contain the damage, but it bought home the damaging effect the wind can have.
Even if Cheltenham escapes there will still be potential problems getting some runners to the course …. oh it is so worrying.
It isn’t as though there is not enough to worry about, without the weather concerns.
On Friday the Gold Cup looks to have the potential to be one of the greatest of all time as stable mates Kauto Star and Denman come head to head for the first time.
The champion taken on by the great pretender. If Kauto Star wins he will go down in the annals of racing history as one of the greats. If not he owes nothing to his connections.
Not I use the expression “scheduled start”, this is because the Met Office are forecasting the mother and father of all storms to arrive overnight tonight and into tomorrow.
Indeed if some reports are to be believed it is not only the mother and father of storms, it looks as though they may be inviting the entire family along as well.
It is not so much the rainfall that concerns me but the wind and the damage it could do to the tented areas at Cheltenham. I was at Huntingdon last year when a min-whirlwind hit the course, with strengths nothing like those forecast in the next 24 hours. There tents and marquees were lifted like matchwood and some brave soles fought to contain the damage, but it bought home the damaging effect the wind can have.
Even if Cheltenham escapes there will still be potential problems getting some runners to the course …. oh it is so worrying.
It isn’t as though there is not enough to worry about, without the weather concerns.
On Friday the Gold Cup looks to have the potential to be one of the greatest of all time as stable mates Kauto Star and Denman come head to head for the first time.
The champion taken on by the great pretender. If Kauto Star wins he will go down in the annals of racing history as one of the greats. If not he owes nothing to his connections.
Of course there are twenty-one other races at Cheltenham this week – bring them on.
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
The Big Clash
I had not realised it has been so long since I last updated the blog.
I could make excuses like holidays in Portugal and Sardinia – however they aren’t really excuses as wherever I go the laptop goes with me.
Rather than spend too much time looking back, this is the time to look forward to four days of high class racing in the Gloucestershire countryside.
I refer, of course, to the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival, or as everyone else calls it – Cheltenham. The remainder does not need to be said.
Every year there is the sense of anticipation, however the 2008 renewal has the greatest expectation in a long time and it is all down to one race. The big race.
The racing forums have been abuzz with heated debate as to who is the better horse the defending champion Kauto Star or the pretender, Denman. The clash made all the more intriguing as both are trained by Paul Nicholls.
Many die hard racing fans had a sleepless night on Saturday, following reports of Kauto Star suffering an injury and, heaven forbid, he would miss Cheltenham . Luckily it seems rumour control was working overtime and what was, a one point a carer threatening fetlock injury, just turned out to be a minor infection.
So with a little less than three weeks to the Gold Cup we are still on course for one of racings big clashes.
Or are we?
How many times have we been promised do or die races, only to end up disappointed. It must be remembered this is a Gold Cup, a field with plenty of top horses.
Exotic Dancer would, had he not had the misfortune to be around the same time as Kauto Star, in all probability have been a Gold Cup winner himself by now. He is also a horse that loves Cheltenham. The presence of the top two have really forced out his odds and I would suggest he is the each way banker of the Festival.
My Cheltenham dream is to see Kauto Star, Denman and Exotic Dancer rounding the final turn together, clear of the field. What happens next – we will have to wait unti just after 3:20 og March 14th.
Meanwhile I am returning to the reality of frost and abandoned race meetings – Baby It’s Cold Outside.
I could make excuses like holidays in Portugal and Sardinia – however they aren’t really excuses as wherever I go the laptop goes with me.
Rather than spend too much time looking back, this is the time to look forward to four days of high class racing in the Gloucestershire countryside.
I refer, of course, to the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival, or as everyone else calls it – Cheltenham. The remainder does not need to be said.
Every year there is the sense of anticipation, however the 2008 renewal has the greatest expectation in a long time and it is all down to one race. The big race.
The racing forums have been abuzz with heated debate as to who is the better horse the defending champion Kauto Star or the pretender, Denman. The clash made all the more intriguing as both are trained by Paul Nicholls.
Many die hard racing fans had a sleepless night on Saturday, following reports of Kauto Star suffering an injury and, heaven forbid, he would miss Cheltenham . Luckily it seems rumour control was working overtime and what was, a one point a carer threatening fetlock injury, just turned out to be a minor infection.
So with a little less than three weeks to the Gold Cup we are still on course for one of racings big clashes.
Or are we?
How many times have we been promised do or die races, only to end up disappointed. It must be remembered this is a Gold Cup, a field with plenty of top horses.
Exotic Dancer would, had he not had the misfortune to be around the same time as Kauto Star, in all probability have been a Gold Cup winner himself by now. He is also a horse that loves Cheltenham. The presence of the top two have really forced out his odds and I would suggest he is the each way banker of the Festival.
My Cheltenham dream is to see Kauto Star, Denman and Exotic Dancer rounding the final turn together, clear of the field. What happens next – we will have to wait unti just after 3:20 og March 14th.
Meanwhile I am returning to the reality of frost and abandoned race meetings – Baby It’s Cold Outside.
Saturday, 5 January 2008
Another New Year
It’s hard to believe it is 2008 already.
It seems it was only yesterday when we were looking the end of civilization in the face, as the new millennium approached.
The New Year is also a time for looking back at the previous year.
From a racing perspective it was an interesting year.
The race fixing trial started at the Old Bailey and what an anti-climax it turned out to be, with the Crown offering no convincing evidence whatsoever. It was no surprise when the judge threw the case out.
Mr Fallon’s relief was short lived however as, within 24 hours of the case collapsing, news emerged that he had failed a drugs test at a French race meeting earlier in the summer. He faces a inquiry in France later this month.
On the track, once again it was Frankie’s year, when he finally broke his Derby hoodoo, winning the premier classic at the fourteenth attempt.
The day before, at the same meeting, The Oaks went to Henry Cecil after a few years in the doldrums and there were few who begrudged him the win.
The flat jockey championship was the most thrilling in living memory, with the dual between Seb Sanders and Jamie Spencer going to the final race on the last day. Spencer took that final race to tie the title and most agree it was a fitting conclusion to the race.
Over the sticks it was, once again, Tony McCoy’s season as he won his 12th jockeys championship. It still staggers me that such a consistent, consummate sportsman continually fails to make the final ten, when it comes to the BBC Sports Personality of the year awards.
Of the equine stars there was only one star - Kauto Star. Winner of a £1m bonus for winning the three top chases. He is on target to win the same bonus again this year, having already won the first two legs.
He is destined to be one of the greats.
However he also faces a young pretender in the shape of stable mate Denman. A young horse showing precocious talent.
All things being equal they look destined to meet in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March – if the clash takes place, get your tickets. It is going to be an “I was there” race.
It seems it was only yesterday when we were looking the end of civilization in the face, as the new millennium approached.
The New Year is also a time for looking back at the previous year.
From a racing perspective it was an interesting year.
The race fixing trial started at the Old Bailey and what an anti-climax it turned out to be, with the Crown offering no convincing evidence whatsoever. It was no surprise when the judge threw the case out.
Mr Fallon’s relief was short lived however as, within 24 hours of the case collapsing, news emerged that he had failed a drugs test at a French race meeting earlier in the summer. He faces a inquiry in France later this month.
On the track, once again it was Frankie’s year, when he finally broke his Derby hoodoo, winning the premier classic at the fourteenth attempt.
The day before, at the same meeting, The Oaks went to Henry Cecil after a few years in the doldrums and there were few who begrudged him the win.
The flat jockey championship was the most thrilling in living memory, with the dual between Seb Sanders and Jamie Spencer going to the final race on the last day. Spencer took that final race to tie the title and most agree it was a fitting conclusion to the race.
Over the sticks it was, once again, Tony McCoy’s season as he won his 12th jockeys championship. It still staggers me that such a consistent, consummate sportsman continually fails to make the final ten, when it comes to the BBC Sports Personality of the year awards.
Of the equine stars there was only one star - Kauto Star. Winner of a £1m bonus for winning the three top chases. He is on target to win the same bonus again this year, having already won the first two legs.
He is destined to be one of the greats.
However he also faces a young pretender in the shape of stable mate Denman. A young horse showing precocious talent.
All things being equal they look destined to meet in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March – if the clash takes place, get your tickets. It is going to be an “I was there” race.
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