The Horse Racing Thread

[Mad Moose]

Just did a search through the first 4 pages of this forum and while there are references to the sport of kings it's time to dedicate a thread to the sport.

I'm a massive fan of horses and horse racing but not so much on money making from it and I'm often found in the Parade ring more often than viewing the race itself.

Can't remember the jockey I heard recently who said 'horses are the kindest of animals'. I agree. Horses have wonderful trust and kindness and my only difficulty with the sport is the injury and harm to jockeys and horses alike. Most recently JT McNamara on the penultimate day of the Grand National.

For anybody who loves the Sport then look no further than RTE's excellent The Irish Road to Cheltenham' available on RTE Player.

[the 12 th man]

Much prefer the jumps to flat but I like the horses myself,poor JT McNamara and he was going to hang up his boots after Punchestown this year as he's 37 with 3 young kids.

[Mad Moose]

Massive race tomorrow in the Mellings Chase is by far and away the highlight of the Aintree festival and makes up for the omissions at Cheltenham which would have proved a far more exciting chase.

So Flemenstar, Cue Card, Sprinter Sacre and stablemate Finian's Rainbow go head to head and while Sprinter Sacre may be unbackable I like Finian's Rainbow. Seeing Flemenstar at Leopardstown in the Christmas festival didn't really give me the wow factor but it'll be nice to see him and Peter Casey and if it's antic's your looking for watch Peter Casey and Tracey Pigott in the build up.

[BonnieShels]

Am I the only one who hates the Grand National as a spectacle? It's a vile race.

[Mad Moose]

Am I the only one who hates the Grand National as a spectacle? It's a vile race.

No your not. It's the one I won't watch. If I hear it's gone ok I'll watch the 4 hour programme on playback which I think may be Channel 4 this year. I agree with you. Most horse racing is cruel as it is pushing the most amazing of animals to a limit and a limit they willingly will go. So no you represent a very strong majority who really don't like the challenge that is the Aintree festival and particularly the National.

That said I was at Cheltenham this year and it represented equal danger. We all know about JT McNamara and god love and bless him. I saw one female jockey smashed off the railing in one race and she survived but it looked frightening. There's been a fatality today at Aintree which is so sad.

I console myself solely with the knowledge that horses love to run. Pushing them beyond their physical ability is wrong.

[the 12 th man]

Seeing Flemenstar at Leopardstown in the Christmas festival didn't really give me the wow factor.

Drop in trip of 4 furlongs and the better ground might see him to better effect tomorrow.

[Mad Moose]

Drop in trip of 4 furlongs and the better ground might see him to better effect tomorrow.

I can't call this race. I like Finian's Rainbow and I like Peter Casey and Andrew Lynch and so I'd love to see Flemenstar put it up to Sprinter Sacre and them I'm just been silly as I like the name 'Mad Moose'. In fact I'm going to ask for a name change to Mad Moose on here :)

3.05 race tomorrow so I'm going to have a cheeky punt at lunch time and nip out around 3 o Clock on a call and catch this one.

[the 12 th man]

My bet is Flemenstar to place at about 11/8 on betfair as it has in my opinion only Cue Card to beat to be second to the hotpot,good luck.

[Mad Moose]

My bet is Flemenstar to place at about 11/8 on betfair as it has in my opinion only Cue Card to beat to be second to the hotpot,good luck.

Ambitious call and your calling Cue Card ahead of Sprinter Sacre as well :D Wow massive massive call but by far and away the race of the festival and I cannot wait for it.

[the 12 th man]

Ambitious call and your calling Cue Card ahead of Sprinter Sacre as well :D Wow massive massive call but by far and away the race of the festival and I cannot wait for it.

No,have another look,I'm saying Flemenstar to finish ahead of Cue Card and the winner of that duel should finish second to the fav at the very least.

[bennocelt]

No your not. It's the one I won't watch. If I hear it's gone ok I'll watch the 4 hour programme on playback which I think may be Channel 4 this year. I agree with you. Most horse racing is cruel as it is pushing the most amazing of animals to a limit and a limit they willingly will go. So no you represent a very strong majority who really don't like the challenge that is the Aintree festival and particularly the National.

That said I was at Cheltenham this year and it represented equal danger. We all know about JT McNamara and god love and bless him. I saw one female jockey smashed off the railing in one race and she survived but it looked frightening. There's been a fatality today at Aintree which is so sad.

I console myself solely with the knowledge that horses love to run. Pushing them beyond their physical ability is wrong.

A hard one for me as I became a vegetarian last year and the like - still sticking to it but got to say love the horse racing and it sometimes is a bit of a moral dilemma but hard when i was nearly reared in the bookies! I guess its better for a horse to run around a track than be served as a burger?

[Real ale Madrid]

and if it's antic's your looking for watch Peter Casey and Tracey Pigott in the build up.

Thankfully Tracy Piggott will be nowhere near the build-up on this as rte are not covering the racing today. Casey is a gas man alright though - would love to see him win it.
Masterminded ran to a rating of 184 or something like that at Cheltenham before getting turned over in this very race a few weeks later. Not saying it will happen today but 1/3 is too short for SS - should be fascinating


Am I the only one who hates the Grand National as a spectacle? It's a vile race.

Shouldn't make a sweeping statement like that without a bit of back-up. Whats more "vile" about it in relation to any other horse race? In my opinion it's an amazing spectacle. It is by now a unique spectacle as well with 40 horses careering over the big national fences - watched a re-run of the Foxhunters last night, thrilling stuff.


No your not. It's the one I won't watch. If I hear it's gone ok I'll watch the 4 hour programme on playback which I think may be Channel 4 this year. I agree with you. Most horse racing is cruel as it is pushing the most amazing of animals to a limit and a limit they willingly will go. So no you represent a very strong majority who really don't like the challenge that is the Aintree festival and particularly the National..

Strong majority of whom ?
Racing people ? The general public ?
Not sure if there is a strong majority of either who don't like the challenge that is Aintree to be honest - there might be a few. But considering every single owner / trainer / jockey / stable lad or lass / punter etc wants to own / train / be associated with / or back the winner of the national I very much doubt its the majority of horse racing people.
And given that virtually every single person will either back a horse in the national or be involved in a sweep of some sort at work etc , add to the fact that the race day itself is sold out - then I don't think there is a strong majority there either.



I console myself solely with the knowledge that horses love to run. Pushing them beyond their physical ability is wrong.

Horses are bred to run as fast as they can at speed (flat) or for as long as they can at a reduced speed over obstacles ( Nat. Hunt ). They are asked to go for as fast as they can for as long as they can - when they think that they are going as fast as they can - a jockey will push them faster and faster , often times over and above their physical limits . That's what horse racing is - that is what they are bred and trained to do. If you think that is wrong - you think horse racing is wrong.

To be fair too much spotlight gets thrown on the National every year - horses are fragile animals - they die every day, it's an unpalatable thought for some. But the welfare issue is so complex I don't think you could ever discuss it enough. I do think the majority of owners and trainers are responsible and the horses are treated fantastically well - but accidents happen - this is a fact of the sport.

[Mad Moose]

No,have another look,I'm saying Flemenstar to finish ahead of Cue Card and the winner of that duel should finish second to the fav at the very least.

Yes I get you now. I've read that too quickly and ya took me by surprise. I've gone with Flemenstar each way here. Can't wait for this one.

[Mad Moose]

I fancy At Fisher's Cross in the 4.15 today with AP McCoy.

But the 3.05 will be something special and I may have to watch it back.

[Mad Moose]

Thankfully Tracy Piggott will be nowhere near the build-up on this as rte are not covering the racing today. Casey is a gas man alright though - would love to see him win it.
Masterminded ran to a rating of 184 or something like that at Cheltenham before getting turned over in this very race a few weeks later. Not saying it will happen today but 1/3 is too short for SS - should be fascinating



Shouldn't make a sweeping statement like that without a bit of back-up. Whats more "vile" about it in relation to any other horse race? In my opinion it's an amazing spectacle. It is by now a unique spectacle as well with 40 horses careering over the big national fences - watched a re-run of the Foxhunters last night, thrilling stuff.



Strong majority of whom ?
Racing people ? The general public ?
Not sure if there is a strong majority of either who don't like the challenge that is Aintree to be honest - there might be a few. But considering every single owner / trainer / jockey / stable lad or lass / punter etc wants to own / train / be associated with / or back the winner of the national I very much doubt its the majority of horse racing people.
And given that virtually every single person will either back a horse in the national or be involved in a sweep of some sort at work etc , add to the fact that the race day itself is sold out - then I don't think there is a strong majority there either.



Horses are bred to run as fast as they can at speed (flat) or for as long as they can at a reduced speed over obstacles ( Nat. Hunt ). They are asked to go for as fast as they can for as long as they can - when they think that they are going as fast as they can - a jockey will push them faster and faster , often times over and above their physical limits . That's what horse racing is - that is what they are bred and trained to do. If you think that is wrong - you think horse racing is wrong.

To be fair too much spotlight gets thrown on the National every year - horses are fragile animals - they die every day, it's an unpalatable thought for some. But the welfare issue is so complex I don't think you could ever discuss it enough. I do think the majority of owners and trainers are responsible and the horses are treated fantastically well - but accidents happen - this is a fact of the sport.

Pushing the point's forward and expanding them. I can't fault you. Your arguments are well made. I did mean the general public as opposed to the equine community at large. I presume RTE's non show, as was the same for Cheltenham I believe, is a financial decision?

[Real ale Madrid]

I presume RTE's non show, as was the same for Cheltenham I believe, is a financial decision?

I don't think they have ever covered Aintree Thursday and Friday to be honest. They are only covering 3 races on Saturday I think. I suppose there is no real need for it to be on another Free to Air channel .

Really like the chance of Tartak in the 3.40 - keeps running well and they keep dropping his rating - looks sure to run a big race. 12/1

[Dermotron]

Didn't even get a run out of Tartak

[the 12 th man]

Yes I get you now. I've read that too quickly and ya took me by surprise. I've gone with Flemenstar each way here. Can't wait for this one.

I got that one wrong,never really looked like winning against a horse that looks to be a true champion,hope you backed At Fishers Cross?

[Mad Moose]

I got that one wrong,never really looked like winning against a horse that looks to be a true champion,hope you backed At Fishers Cross?

Yes I did thank you. I messed up at Cheltenham on this one. As I did with Our Conor. I had a choice to make. Get down to the bookies or queue for the toilets. I had to queue for the toilets and got back and could barely see the action and no bet got placed.

At Fisher's Cross. I think that was 5/6 races won in a row. I won't have won much but thats not the main point and love of the sport for me thankfully.

[Mad Moose]

As for the Grand National. I think we got to Becher's and over Becher's without any fallers and I got caught up in the joy of that. Unfortunately that joy didn't continue with an exciting finish for me. I'm laying claim to some of the Sweepstake I organised as I picked out Cappa Bleu whom I fancied anyhow and a second finish.

Ryan Mania who rode the winner yesterday has just had a heavy fall on Stagecoach Jasper at Hexham in the last hour and he's still on the ground with head injuries and been airlifted to Newcastle very shortly. he took a kick to the head unfortunately.

[Mad Moose]

Funny moment on Friday in the Mellings Chase. Mad Moose who previously refused at Cheltenham and lining up against the great Sprinter Sacre, Flemenstar, Cue Card and Finian's Rainbow refused for a second successive race. Go on Mad Moose. Great name, great horse.

[Crosby87]

Any of you guys betting on the Kentucky Derby?

[Mad Moose]

Any of you guys betting on the Kentucky Derby?

Other than keeping an eye out for the emerging challenges from the States I can't say as I would take any interest perhaps beyond viewing the it at some point.

The Punchestown Festival starts today and the wonderful Sprinter Sacre has arrived in Kildare.

[Mad Moose]

What an era for great racehorses as Sprinter Sacre takes win 10 of 10 races I believe. Going down already as one of the great's. Had a disappointment with Tofino Bay finishing second yesterday though I would have liked to have seen Nina Carberry on board. She is recovering well following a fall a few weeks back.

[RonnieB]

Mad Moose wins after two refusals and wins @ 28/1 :)

[Mad Moose]

Mad Moose wins after two refusals and wins @ 28/1 :)

Just had a drink after work on and courtesy of Mad Moose. Thanks for the acknowledgement Ronnie. Absolute beauty. Forget your Sprinter Sacre's and At Fisher's Cross. Mad Moose has this sport off to a tee. Legend.

[RonnieB]

That he is, the old fella joked to me the next race he runs back him, as if he goes forward instead of backwards no one will catch him... he was right!

[Mad Moose]

Well done Aidan and Joseph O Brien on Magician in winning the Tattersalls 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh today. There`s a chance the Ballydoyle outfit could take him to Epsom for the Derby. Near tempted to stick everything on Dawn Approach in the Derby but odds are very very short there plus i`ve no wish to back Godolphin. Looking forward to seeing who Ballydoyle go with for this. One.

[Mad Moose]

Well Magician confirmed for the Epsom Derby which really increases the interest I have to say. Keeping a close eye on Chopin who was also confirmed today but Aidan O Brien`s Mars and Battle of Marengo worth watching too.

Massive respect to Ruby Walsh for his openness in deciding to part ways with Paul Nicholls and return to Ireland to work solely with trainer Willie Mullins. Walsh as head jockey with Nicholls had some amazing success down the years on board some of the greatest horses I`ve ever witnessed.

[Mad Moose]

An Irish winner of the Epsom Derby. Well done Aidan O Brien, Ruler of the World and Ryan Moore for Coolmore.

Had my small change on Battle of Marengo who was there until the last 50 yds. May have come in 2nd or 3rd. Faded just a little at the end.

[Mad Moose]

Battle of Marengo finished 4th. Faded more than I thought but I`ve never fancied so many horses going into a derby but delighted we had an Irish winner.

[Mad Moose]

For anybody interested in the Sport of Kings I highly recommend this listen on the story of the Carberry family. Some fantastic stories in there and one I hadn't heard of Paul's party trick in Australia.

Fantastic tales of a childhood obcession with horses.

pod-v-130310-36m12s-doconone-thecarberrys.mp3

[Mad Moose]

Great win again for Irish horse racing and the remarkable Aidan O Brien and Ballydoyle as Declaration of War (a name I really like and always jumps out at me) in the big one at York yesterday. Odds of 7-1 available for a horse that pre-race was in the shadows. The only person that didn't doubt Declaration of War was trainer Aidan O Brien. I'm inclined to listen to Aidan O Brien when he says his entry is in with a good chance.

[bennocelt]

Great win again for Irish horse racing and the remarkable Aidan O Brien and Ballydoyle as Declaration of War (a name I really like and always jumps out at me) in the big one at York yesterday. Odds of 7-1 available for a horse that pre-race was in the shadows. The only person that didn't doubt Declaration of War was trainer Aidan O Brien. I'm inclined to listen to Aidan O Brien when he says his entry is in with a good chance.

Does he not say that with all his many entrees?:)

[BonnieShels]

Does he not say that with all his many entrees?:)

Looks like we found the kingpin behind the horsemeat scandal.

[Mad Moose]

Does he not say that with all his many entrees?:)

I hear ya but there's a genuineness and honesty to Aidan O Brien that's not there with all trainers. I wouldn't have quite the same trust say for example in the Shark Hanlon or Willie Mullins to give two examples. There's a honest and down to earthiness about Aidan O Brien I really like. There are trainers I would listen to and if they said the horse had a chance I'm inclined to trust them. Oliver Brady was another.

[bennocelt]

I hear ya but there's a genuineness and honesty to Aidan O Brien that's not there with all trainers. I wouldn't have quite the same trust say for example in the Shark Hanlon or Willie Mullins to give two examples. There's a honest and down to earthiness about Aidan O Brien I really like. There are trainers I would listen to and if they said the horse had a chance I'm inclined to trust them. Oliver Brady was another.


True enough I guess.
What did you think of the 40/1 winner! Any stand out names for today?

[Mad Moose]

True enough I guess.
What did you think of the 40/1 winner! Any stand out names for today?

Well I always look at the Irish entries and it serves me well. The patriot in me means I fail to look elsewhere.

Ted Veale is a 5-1 option in a 16 field Ebor Handicap though I exercise caution. Saw him at Cheltenham on very hard ground at the Festival and had a small win there. The ground at York is very soft and today's handicap is in doubt if the weather nearby drifts in.

[Mad Moose]

True enough I guess.
What did you think of the 40/1 winner! Any stand out names for today?

Naturally she wasn't on my radar. I think she defied all odds. Think she fractured an eye socket earlier in the year. The jockey too hadn't been out in a year either following a heart virus.

I like my horse racing but I bring no luck and I'd rarely read a 40/1 chance much as I'd love to.

[Mad Moose]

I stuck a couple of pounds on Number Theory too in the Ebor Handicap. She will stay.

[Mad Moose]

Here's a beautiful photo gallery of behind the scenes at the home of horse racing in this country and a town I have passed through many times in my time here. I like this stat. There are 6 Horses for every person in Newmarket.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/22391900

[bennocelt]

Well I always look at the Irish entries and it serves me well. The patriot in me means I fail to look elsewhere.

Ted Veale is a 5-1 option in a 16 field Ebor Handicap though I exercise caution. Saw him at Cheltenham on very hard ground at the Festival and had a small win there. The ground at York is very soft and today's handicap is in doubt if the weather nearby drifts in.

ha picked that one out myself. Jinxxed, sorry!

[Mad Moose]

ha picked that one out myself. Jinxxed, sorry!

Don't be sorry. I'm sorry I didn't go e/w to recover something. I had a third place finish but I'm a disaster and thank god it's for love of the sport I love horses and not to make money.

[Mad Moose]

The St Leger at Doncaster tomorrow. Looking from here that the ground will be heavy. I'm not really looking beyond Coolmore again purely cos I can't and I'll take a punt on Leading Light.

[Mad Moose]

The St Leger at Doncaster tomorrow. Looking from here that the ground will be heavy. I'm not really looking beyond Coolmore again purely cos I can't and I'll take a punt on Leading Light.

Leading Light has gone into favourite now and available at 9/2.

I like Hot Snap too who goes tomorrow at the Curragh. Odds cannot get any shorter which suggests I've not been the only one tracking form on this one.

[Mad Moose]

There's no let up in Irish dominance of the biggest events on the flat or over fences with The Coolmore Stud, trainer Aidan O Brien and son Joseph leading 'Leading Light to victory in the St Leger at Doncaster this afternoon.

A nice little win though throughout the day Leading Light overtook stable mate Foundry to lead the betting and go in as favourite (well it was when I checked this morning).


The Irish St Leger takes place at the Curragh tomorrow.

[Mad Moose]

It's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe day in Paris and once again I won't look beyond our home entries. 9/1 available on Epsom Derby winner Ruler of the World which is my fancy though it's a big test here as you'd expect and 10/1 on Leading Light though Joseph O Brien parts company as he wouldn't make up the weight required.

Interesting race. Should be one of the better ones. I'm going to pop a small few pound on Ruler of the World. Cracking name for a winner as was the case at Epsom.

[bennocelt]

Intello a cracking price at 19/1!

edit - now 11/1, previous was morning price

[Mad Moose]

Well the less said about that the better from an Irish perspective. Treve with the win though thankfully Dettori didn't get the ride. I have no time for drugs let alone someone like Dettori glamorising the use of so there I've made my case and nothing more to say on that.

Well done to Coolmore putting out Leading Light and Ruler of the World for this one.

[bennocelt]

Well the less said about that the better from an Irish perspective. Treve with the win though thankfully Dettori didn't get the ride. I have no time for drugs let alone someone like Dettori glamorising the use of so there I've made my case and nothing more to say on that.

Well done to Coolmore putting out Leading Light and Ruler of the World for this one.

Frankie, the housewives favourite, bah give me Moore, or Lee any-day:D