The four legged game: the R3 Forum racing thread

[MrGongGong]

o, only when his nostalgie de la boue kicks in. Normally he gets his meat from Lidgate's in Holland Park Avenue, his charcuterie from Speck just round the corner, his cheese from the Fromagerie in Moxon Street, his specialist veggie requirements from Borough Market. I haven't identified from where he 'sources' his pâtisserie; his wines, of course, come from his personal négociants in Beaune and Bordeaux...

I guess not this establishment though ?

http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=Lib-Central-Archives-and-Heritage%2FPageLayout&cid=1223092751722&pagename=BCC%2FCommon%2FWrapper%2FWrapper

[Lateralthinking1]

Hardly a sport. Bear baiting wasn't a sport, neither is hare coursing. So why should the use of cruelty to force horses to race, jump and kill themselves be considered a sport?

It's a money-making ramp of course for a privileged elite, and many people lose a lot of money betting: some become addicted to it. Fine if they are rich; not so good if they are poor and have just bet the week's food money...

I agree with this now. I used to enjoy the National and had modest - actually quite healthy - wins on it in 1981, 1986 and 1991. It was the only race that I ever used to put any money on and as any expert will tell you that's crackers. Having brushed aside the question of cruelty for many years in contradiction with my general outlook, I didn't view the National this year and it was perhaps the third or fourth in a row that I didn't spend any money on it. Reading news of this year's race, it now seems symptomatic of the arrogant and blase way of the establishment. That seems to be getting worse and the event has become unacceptably gruesome.

[mercia]

the event has become unacceptably gruesome.

looking at the statistics, 1954 was the worst year with 4 fatalities
Becher's Brook has accounted for 15 deaths (total for the race 48)

[BBMmk2]

I am against horse racing, especially The Grand National. With 3 fatalities this year, can they not at least think that they have not made the course safer?

[Paul Sherratt]

Perhaps if a couple of jockeys got killed each year ...



Shot earlier

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/567531/thumbs/o-MILLY-JOHNSON-570.jpg?4

[Dave2002]

... my chrestomathy of naughty phrases does not include this, but I think I can see where he's coming from...

Nice word that!

[Frances_iom]

Perhaps if a couple of jockeys got killed each year ...

not really - the Manx TT + MGP dispose of 1% of riders per year (+ another 1% seriously injured) - they died doing what they loved ! - horses have no choice being entered

[Petrushka]

There are a lot of comments on here from those who know little or nothing about horse racing.

The Grand National is the one race that is in the public eye more than any other watched by millions from around the world as a huge challenge to horse and rider. Aintree has made strenuous efforts each year, and especially this year, to improve safety but horse racing is a competetive sport and as in all such sports it is impossible to eliminate risk entirely. However, I do think there are elements of the race that need to be looked at again without emasculating it completely.

I love jump racing, go to Cheltenham each year and have been to the Grand National a few times but this morning I feel, as every lover of the sport will do, enormous distress at the loss of two outstanding horses. It is worth pointing out that a horse can suffer fatal injury on the Flat or even the gallops as well and is by no means confined to the jumps.

Jockey deaths are rare but not unknown while serious injury is more common than those outside the sport would think. There could so very easily have been a jockey fatality yesterday in the race before the National when Ruby Walsh fell and his mount rolled on top of him. Half a ton of horseflesh crashing down on you is no laughing matter. I happen to have a friend who lost a jockey relative in exactly this way many years ago.

Some changes need to be made to the National. Fences have already been reduced in height but perhaps more needs to be done in reducing the numbers of runners. I would reduce the field down to 28 or 30 maximum and reduce the length of the race by a mile.

Horse racing is one sport where 'toffs' and 'plebs' mix together so questions of 'class' or 'establishment' are meaningless.

[EdgeleyRob]

Well said Petrushka.
I admit I had a little cry after yesterday.
One point though ,I thought that Synchronised maybe should have been withdrawn as it seemed he didn't want to race judging by his antics at the start,but I suppose it's hard to know really.

[Mr Pee]

Well said Petrushka.
I admit I had a little cry after yesterday.
One point though ,I thought that Synchronised maybe should have been withdrawn as it seemed he didn't want to race judging by his antics at the start,but I suppose it's hard to know really.

Indeed. Synchronised was cleared by the vet, and certainly when he was re-mounted and ridden down to take a look at the first fence he shied away from it, but then he didn't refuse in the race, so one must assume it was just a terrible misfortune.

Claire Balding grabbed a brief word with According to Pete's owners before the race, and they were both so desperately nervous they could barely speak, the lady pretty much in tears from nerves and worry. Goodness knows how they must be feeling now.

[Petrushka]

Well said Petrushka.
I admit I had a little cry after yesterday.
One point though ,I thought that Synchronised maybe should have been withdrawn as it seemed he didn't want to race judging by his antics at the start,but I suppose it's hard to know really.

My view, and one I held before the race, is that Synchronised should never have been declared a participant. It was just a month since he won the Gold Cup and it is a tough enough race in itself so this was a big ask in any event. Incidentally, both fatalities occured after the horse had fallen, got up and carried on jumping only for them to land badly.

Antics before the race often mean that a horse is over-eager to 'get on with it', to do what they are trained to do. Many on the Racing Post website think that the constant tinkering at the behest of the RSPCA has actually made things worse at Aintree. Lower fences mean horses go at greater speed and with false starts and so on horses are already at boiling point.

[Mr Pee]

Many on the Racing Post website think that the constant tinkering at the behest of the RSPCA has actually made things worse at Aintree. Lower fences mean horses go at greater speed and with false starts and so on horses are already at boiling point.

[Barbirollians]

Frankel - surely the greatest racehorse I have ever seen

I have been mad about racing since I was a kid in the 1970s . He is undoubtedly the best horse I have ever seen . I dropped everything to go and see him run in the Royal Lodge as a 2 yo but have not seen him since - after today's spectacular spreadeagling of the field at Ascot I will be at York and Champions day if he is there - an awesome equine athlete

[Budapest]

I've also been interested in horse racing since I was a kid in the 70s.

Are you suggesting that people should bet on this horse?

I know: a stupid question.

Hey look, I'm a bit of a computer whizz, and FaceBook are selling shares at the moment and you just can't lose!!!

[Stanfordian]

I've also been interested in horse racing since I was a kid in the 70s.

Are you suggesting that people should bet on this horse?

I know: a stupid question.

Hey look, I'm a bit of a computer whizz, and FaceBook are selling shares at the moment and you just can't lose!!!

"You just can't lose!!!" I wonder where I have heard remark that before?