So its that time of year where most people look back on what has gone on in the past 12 months or so and reflect on what has been. After going through the Not606 board last night, i saw that some of the other threads are having their awards and thought why dont we have one of our own. So here are the categories for the Horse Racing Forum, 2012. Please add your thoughts for this year to them... Best horse for the year Best Jockey for the year Best Trainer for the year Best Race for the year Your most memorable race Best Commentator Worst Commentator Best Presenter Worst Presenter Best, 'Oh my god' moment of the year The, 'You were right, i was wrong' moment of the year The, 'I was right, you were wrong' moment of the year Biggest surprise of the year Biggest disappointment of the year Worst moment of the year Best Not606 poster Best Not606 tipper Race your most looking forward to next year Best Horse for next year Best Tip for next year So there is the list, and i look forward to seeing who the Not606 boys n girls feel has made a good impression, or not, over the past 12 months... Feel free to add any other categories to your selections if you wish, its all in a bit of fun at the end of the day...
Best horse for the year - Frankel (who else?) Best Jockey for the year - Barry Geraghty, the ultimate big race jockey who rode better than ever at the festival Best Trainer for the year - Mr Henderson, a sensational Cheltenham festival and he remains firmly at the top of his profession Best Race for the year - World Hurdle - Voler La Vedette criss-crossing the track behind Big Buck's trying to faze him but the champ just lengthened away. Your most memorable race - Johnny Henderson Grand Annual (see my Avatar) - the ultimate waiting ride by Paul Carberry on Bellvano (RIP) Best Commentator - Simon Holt Worst Commentator - can't think of one, it's a bloody hard job Best Presenter - Nick Luck Worst Presenter - Rishi Best, 'Oh my god' moment of the year - Sprinter Sacre in the Tingle Creek The, 'You were right, i was wrong' moment of the year - Long Run getting beat in the Gold Cup. I was absolutely stone-cold convinced he would win, didn't think there was anything in the field to get near him. The, 'I was right, you were wrong' moment of the year - Flemenstar beating Sir Des Champs in the John Durkan Biggest surprise of the year - the return of the Greenford monster - thankfully short-lived Biggest disappointment of the year - Big Buck's out for the season Worst moment of the year - Campbell Gillies tragic death - RIP Best Not606 poster - Toppy - intelligent, insightful, honest and makes a great contibution to the forum Best Not606 tipper - ROTO Race your most looking forward to next year - Cheltenham Gold Cup Best Horse for next year - Flemenstar Best Tip for next year - Empiracle for the Champion Bumper
Best horse for the year - Frankel Best Jockey for the year - AP Best Trainer for the year - Henry Cecil Best Race for the year - Grand National for its finish Your most memorable race - Al Ferof's PPGC Best Commentator - NA Worst Commentator - Thommo Best Presenter - Clare Balding Worst Presenter - Willie Carson Best, 'Oh my god' moment of the year - Synchronised winning the Gold Cup, seriously how on earth did he win that? The, 'You were right, i was wrong' moment of the year - Synchronised Gold Cup, after I had said he was a slow boat The, 'I was right, you were wrong' moment of the year - Big Bucks winning World Hurdle, despite bookmakers taking him on. Biggest surprise of the year - Kauto Star-gate - who would have predicted that? Biggest disappointment of the year - Kauto Star-gate - what are they arguing about? Worst moment of the year - seeing Crystal Bonus break down at Cheltenham Best Not606 poster - RV Best Not606 tipper - Stick (just from ROTO who has been brilliant this year) Race your most looking forward to next year - Gold Cup Best Horse for next year - Sprinter Sacre Best Tip for next year - Join Together Grand National
I thought that i should put my selections up first so here they are... Best horse for the year - Sprinter Sacre... A few to pick from but its hard not to have him in your top 3 for the year. Zarkandar or Rileyev would be my other picks for sentimental reaaons, as i just love em... Best Jockey for the year - Graham Lee... What a year he has had, and the transition from the jumps to the flat makes it all the more remarkable... Best Trainer for the year - Charlie Longsden... Away from the big boys then this is one traioner i do look out for. Got to be honest its more to do with Stick championing his name than me finding him... Best Race for the year - Ryanair Chase, won by Riverside Theatre... A great finish to a slug it out, get the blood going, cheering them home up the hill at Cheltenham kind of race...!!! Superb... Oh and i had the winner which helps...!!! Your most memorable race - I have 3, and in no particular order... Grand National, won by Neptune Collognes... Not only did i have the winner, it was the closest of wins for the marathon distance that we have seen in the Grand National... BetFair Chase @ Haydock, won by Kauto Star... Yes i know it was 2011 but it still sticks and plays in my mind when i think about Kauto Star... Juddmonte International Stakes, won by Frankel... I know he went unbeaten but this particular race to me summed him up more than the others. Just your 7 lengths over Farrh, to a nose in front of St. Nicholas Abbey, to a further 6 lengths to Twice Over... Best Commentator - Simon Holt... Hands down the best... Worst Commentator - Jim Magrath... Sorry Jim, its time to move on... Best Presenter - Nick Luck... Its took time but im warming to him now... Worst Presenter - Big Mac... Ive just got tired of his antics... Best, 'Oh my god' moment of the year - Diamond Jubilee Stakes, won by Black Caviar... With all the hype that surrounded her, i think i was expecting a 10 length thrashing of our Brit Pack runners... What was Luke Nolan thinking...??? And how well did she respond to his urgent call... A truly great horse... The, 'You were right, i was wrong' moment of the year - All those who said Kauto Star would win the Bet Fair and also the King George @ Kempton... There were a few of you, but alas i was not one of them. A 6/1 and 3/1 winner beating Long Run and Imperial Commander in doing so... The, 'I was right, you were wrong' moment of the year - ......? I dont have many of these as im very rarely right... So i will hand this award to Rainbowview - where ever he is, for tipping up Was in the Investec Oaks at a ante post 33/1, SP of 20/1... Thanks you as i had a sneaky £10 e/w... Biggest surprise of the year - Frankie 'White Lines' Dettori... Need i say any more... Biggest disappointment of the year - The bloody weather...!!! Worst moment of the year - The tragic loss of Cambell Gillies... Best Not606 poster - Princess... - I dont post a lot of questions on the 'Ask Princess' thread but i do read what she is asked. She always seems to go out of her way to answer what ever question is posed, and never seems to be put out by it either... A credit to have on this forum... Best Not606 tipper - ROTO or Stick... On current form these 2 are a way in front of us mere mortals... Race your most looking forward to next year - Again i exercise the right to three picks... Champion Hurdle...,The Ryanair Chase..., Gold Cup... Best Horse for next year - Sprinter Sacre... Best Tip for next year - Other than follow ROTO or Stick... Flemenstar for the Gold Cup...!!!
Surely this award has already been handed out and the old victory speech made. There is afterall only one handler who has been handed the moniker ‘the forum’s favourite trainer’.
Best "Oh my god" moment of the year - Hunt Ball winning a Novices Handicap Chase at the festival with 12st on his back. There'll be an even bigger such moment if he goes close at Kempton on boxing Day. There doesn't seem to be a category for best owner, but I'll propose Anthony Knott for it anyway.
Not many very original answers from me Best horse for the year Frankel ofcourse! Best Jockey for the year AP, as always! Best Trainer for the year Cecil / Lucinda Russell Best Race for the year I really enjoyed Nathaniels win in the Coral Eclipse Your most memorable race The Juddmonte, gives me goosebumps even now. Best Commentator I actually quite like Thommo, shame C4 are getting rid if you ask me. Worst Commentator Erm the really annoying pocket talking berk on atr evening races. Best Presenter Simon Holt, I once spied his race card while he was chatting to his mate off camera he gave him a tip which romped in at 10/1, after having not a bean myself in the first 3 races i lumped on He can do no wrong with me after that. Worst Presenter Willie / Mac Best, 'Oh my god' moment of the year Don't know if it was an "oh my god" moment but Hughsie doing the 7 at Windsor was very special. The, 'You were right, i was wrong' moment of the year Err pass, i'm not usually one to dismiss others opinions so never really The, 'I was right, you were wrong' moment of the year I was relatively bullish on the chances of Snow Fairy in the Irish Champion Stakes. Biggest surprise of the year Frankel being allowed to run over 10f on soft Biggest disappointment of the year Donny Rovers going down Worst moment of the year Fatalities are always heart breaking but Synchronised and According to Pete Grand National this year really upset me. Synchronised such a great horse. According to Pete a much loved family pet Best Not606 poster Ron / Princess Best Not606 tipper Stick and ROTO have been firing in the winners this year, I've also been on a few of Oddy ,heis and Boris's tips. Race your most looking forward to next year The Grand National, as with every year! Best Horse for next year Flemenstar will be a star next year, expect him to clean up Best Tip for next year Orfevre to win the Arc, a better draw and better ground and you have to fancy him to walk it
Best horse for the year That Juddmonte one that ran in all the big races for Sir Henry Cecil. Bullet Train I think he's called.... Best Jockey for the year I'm plumping for Harry Haynes who gave Attaglance an AP-esque ride at Aintree when I was there and on. Kieron Fallon has been good to me financially but then he is the best flat jockey around Best Trainer for the year Nicky Henderson's Cheltenham was fantastic but also Sir Henry Cecil for his bravery and spirit. Best Race for the year Flemenstar winning his first G1, if only for the interview that followed.... Your most memorable race Frankel on Champions Day. I was there and the atmosphere was Special Best Commentator Simon Holt by default (intentional rhyme) Worst Commentator Pass Best Presenter Francombe knows his stuff Worst Presenter Totally agree with Oddy here Best, 'Oh my god' moment of the year Big Bucks and Al Ferof the other day. EDIT I DID NOT SEE THE WORD 'BEST' HERE. PLUMP WITH HUGHES' SEVEN OR SPRINTER SACRE IN THE TINGLE CREEK WHEN I WAS THERE. The, 'You were right, i was wrong' moment of the year Camelot winning the 2000gns. The, 'I was right, you were wrong' moment of the year No-one ever agrees with me so there's been a few Probably Cinders & Ashes (see signature) or Kauto winning the King George (last year). Biggest surprise of the year Camelot getting turned over in the Ledger Biggest disappointment of the year That we never saw Frankel over 12f Worst moment of the year Any horse death is horrible, RIP Brindisi Breeze, Synchronized et al but also to lose a jockey so young and talented was tragic Best Not606 poster All the guys who are up for a laugh, Oddy, Dex, RV, Stick, Red, Ron, Cyc, Swanny ect. The key is not to take yourself too seriously and to have too much time on your hands such that you end up on here often! Also Princess for her Ask PN thread. Best Not606 tipper I heard that that George chap had an impressive time between March and November with a number of double figure priced winners . For me it has to be Stick, he can read the form, he get's solid info and he's humble enough to congratulate others if they get a nice winner too instead of just bumlicking themselves. On that note my 400/1 combo tricast (34/1) was a personal highlight amongst some juicy priced winners. <run> Race your most looking forward to next year Cheltenham festival. Best Horse for next year I love Cue Card but the best horse is Sprinter Sacre. On the flat, who knows? Best Tip for next year I won't win as much money as I did this is nailed on. Overturn will win the Arkle.
Best horse for the year; Frankel, by miles Best Jockey for the year; Richard Hughes, I have maligned the boy so much in the past but he was immense when coming back this year. Best Trainer for the year; HRAC the obvious but big up for Charlie Longsdon, building an impressive string from nothing! Great start for Harry Fry too. Best Race for the year; The Queen Anne Stakes demolition! Your most memorable race; The Arc, great finish, thought my Jap had one but somehow that bloody thing got back from beaten, great race! Best Commentator; I usually watch them in silence to be honest Worst Commentator; Thommo, really grates on me. Best Presenter; Nick Luck for me Worst Presenter; Matt Chapman....tit! Best, 'Oh my god' moment of the yea Frankel, every time he ran...breathtaking The, 'You were right, i was wrong' moment of the year; Simonsig....you all said but I didnt want to believe The, 'I was right, you were wrong' moment of the year; Kentford Grey Lady.....nearly......ok it wasnt even close but she ran a belter Biggest surprise of the year; winning the not606 Daily telegraph league from a lousy start....think I just understood the scoring better than the rest! Biggest disappointment of the year; Peddlars Cross not taking to fences! Worst moment of the year; Seeing Synchronised in the National line up when I knew he wouldnt get round and honestly feared for his safety. Best Not606 poster; Nass, always makes me laugh. Best Not606 tipper; ROTO of course. Really rate Toppy too! Race your most looking forward to next year: Festival Bumper of course! Best Horse for next year; Dawn Approach if Godawful dont ruin him! Best Tip for next year; Kings Palace for the festival bumper if they dont go hurdling.
Best horse for the year - Frankel Best Jockey for the year - Ronan Whelan Best Trainer for the year - David Omeara Best Race for the year - Cant think of any race where I thought that was a seriously deep race, weak divisions all round, both flat and jumps. Your most memorable race - Doc Hay in the Portland Best Commentator - Simon Holt Worst Commentator - Matt Chapman Best Presenter - Nick Luck Worst Presenter - Balding Best, 'Oh my god' moment of the year - Black Caviar nearly getting beat at Ascot The, 'You were right, i was wrong' moment of the year - Plenty to chose from, Kingsbarns winning the Racing Post The, 'I was right, you were wrong' moment of the year - Even more to chose from, Hidden Cyclone winning first time out over 2 miles Biggest surprise of the year - Camelot getting beat in the Leger Biggest disappointment of the year - Sirius Prospect Worst moment of the year - Orfevre getting nailed in the Arc Best Not606 poster - Oddy Best Not606 tipper - ROTO, consistently puts in the type of hours you need to all year round which takes alot of studying through the pain barrier, in terms of natural ability though, im second to none. Race your most looking forward to next year - has to be the Gold Cup Best Horse for next year - Dawn Approach Best Tip for next year - Two fillies ive had my eye on for handicaps in Ireland, Gathering Power of Eddie Lynams, should have been a jailcase for one off 76 but handicapper clocked her from out of the handicap last time and put her up to 81, could be a progressive sprinter next season, and the other Precious Dream of David Wachmans, caught my eye big style last time, hopefully see her in a mile handicap at Dundalk off 78.
Hopefully not, no better man to have it than Jim Bolger anyway, I dont quite get the same feeling of certainty I had with New Approach from early in his 2yo season, but hes a nice horse and you have to say he proved himself the best 2yo colt. New Approach done it in a strong year though, there was a lot of good 2yos about in 2007 all over the place, best crop ive seen, Ravens Pass, Henrythenavigator, Rio De La Plata, Myboycharlie, Fast Company, Tamayuz, Twice Over, Famous Name, even McCartney looked smart in the Colts division, then in the fillies division you had Natagora, Zarkava, Goldikova, Lush Lashes, Nahoodh, Fleeting Spirit, Muthabara, Saoirse Abu, Halfway To Heaven, Spacious, Infallible and even Stoutes Visit worth a mention. I know they didnt all go on at 3 but enough of them did to show that it was a very deep crop of 2yos.
Best horse for the year - Frankel Best Jockey for the year - Big Barry Geraghty Best Trainer for the year - Nicky Henderson Best Race for the year - Any race with Frankel and his demolition of the field! Your most memorable race - Hunt Balls win at Cheltenham and seeing the face of Anthony Knox Best Commentator - Jim Mcgrath Worst Commentator - Matt Chapman Best Presenter - Nick Luck Worst Presenter - Willie Carson Best, 'Oh my god' moment of the year - Black Caviar nearly getting beat at Ascot The, 'You were right, i was wrong' moment of the year - Long Run losing at the gold cup! The, 'I was right, you were wrong' moment of the year - Cant remember doesnt happen very often Biggest surprise of the year - Camelot getting beat in the Leger Biggest disappointment of the year - Kauto Star being pulled up in the gold cup- was an end of an era Worst moment of the year - Orfevre getting nailed in the Arc Best Not606 poster - RV Best Not606 tipper - ROTO always gives and puts alot of time and reasoning behind his tips Race your most looking forward to next year - has to be the Gold Cup Best Horse for next year - Sprinter Sacre Best Tip for next year - The Fly to regain his CH crown!
Best horse for the year- FRANKEL- Who else? Never ever seen a 10f horse like it. Unbelievable. Best Jockey for the year- Barry Geraghty- sterling performances and a wonderful Cheltenham festival effort Best Trainer for the year- Nicky Henderson & Sir Henry Cecil- Nicky for obvious racing reasons in terms of his massive successes at Cheltenham, but Sir Henry for sheer bravery and inspiration in Frankel helping him battle through the worst of it. Best Race for the year- The Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham?! What a finish that was. Your most memorable race- Frankel at York, just watching people gasp at the sheer power of him when he jogged 10L clear of St Nicholas Abbey and Farrh. Best Commentator- Simon Holt (a brilliant commentator he is) Worst Commentator- Dessy whatshisface- I know the Irish love him but for me he could bore a glass eye to sleep. Best Presenter- Alistair on C4- really underrated for my money Worst Presenter- Richi- what an absolute numpty. Best, 'Oh my god' moment of the year- When I realised no one was going to catch Rock On Ruby at Cheltenham in the Champion Hurdle! The, 'You were right, i was wrong' moment of the year- ORFEVRE steaming past the entire Arc field when I thought he was a Japanese plodder. The, 'I was right, you were wrong' moment of the year- NATHANIEL in the Coral Eclipse. Biggest surprise of the year-Synchronised winning the Lexus and Gold Cup when no one gave it a prayer. R.I.P Biggest disappointment of the year- Hurricane Fly at Cheltenham Worst moment of the year- The Grand National Best Not606 poster- How can I single one out?! I think Oddog as a racing enthusiast is terrific- please read his 'Under The Spotlight' episode on Flemenstar, its better than journalism, and he's a top guy- always the first to congratulate a winner . ROTO is just an absolute legend and we're on the same page. Stick and me just seem to have a mutual respect- he seems to take note of my tips and I certainly take note of his, especially in those Sunday handicaps where I am clueless! Ron is just a wonderful forum host and keeps this ticking along amazingly. There's loads more to mention so dont take offence, I just havent got all day! Best Not606 tipper- ROTO/STICK/MASTER OF GLEASGA- Roto and Stick the handicap punt kings, Master is like our Irish correspondent, really switched on with the Emerald Isle racing. Race your most looking forward to next year- At this stage, the Cheltenham Gold Cup. There are potential crackers and we hope they can all stay fit and well. Best Horse for next year-CAPTAIN CONAN - This is a Hennessey winner in the making. If he doesn't get 3 miles next autumn I'll eat my hat. Still developing, imperious jumper, huge scope. The fact he has shown ability to cope at 2m for me is the massive bonus. Best Tip for next year- Hard to say. If he makes Cheltenham, then follow LAST INSTALMENT wherever he goes. FIRST LIEUTENANTwill win the Ryanair for his owner IMO. As you know, I advocate each-way chances for MONKSLAND be it in the Champion Hurdle or the World Hurdle, if we are fortunate enough for him to make either.
Best Horse for the year: FRANKEL….END OF! Best Jockey for the year: Obvious choice would be Hughes, but GRAHAM LEE due to his versatility from jumps to flat and with him seeming to get better and better. Best Trainer for the year: Close run thing between Mullins and Hendo but have to opt for HENDERSON, like a fine wine, seems to better with age. Best Race for the year: RSA, a new star was born in Bob’s Worth. Most Memorable race of the year: The Grand National Best Commentator: Richard Hoiles Worst Commentator: Simon Holt Best Presenter: John Francome (A Fountain of Knowledge) Worst Presenter: John Parrot Best “Oh My God” Moment of the year: Sprinter Sacre’s demolition job in the Tingle Creek, frightening The, 'You were right, i was wrong' moment of the year: Cinders and Ashes The, 'I was right, you were wrong' moment of the year: Simonsig Biggest surprise of the year: Neptune Collonges pulling off a great weight carrying performance in the Grand National Biggest disappointment of the year: The Gold Cup, Synchronised is/was a glorified handicapper, The Giant Bolster is a pig and Kauto being pulled up. Anti Climax all round Worst moment of the year: Albertas Run not being able to hold on from a resurgent Riverside Theatre in the Ryanair, more of an emotionally one. I genuinely thought McCoy was going to pull another iron out of the fire. Best Not606 poster: OddDog Best Not606 tipper: ROTO, info he gives isn’t just off the cuff. Highly respected to the point he is well known down my local cricket club for his tips Race your most looking forward to next year: Gold Cup, “COULD” be memorable. Best Horse for next year: Dawn Approach Best Tip for next year: First Lieutenant
I don't have answers to all but a few stick out: Most Memorable race of the year: The Grand National, with Neptune Collonges spoiling the party by a nose! Best “Oh My God” Moment of the year: Frankel at Ascot The, 'You were right, i was wrong' moment of the year: Peddlers Cross. I was adamant he'd smash Sprinter Sacre. Serious egg on my face. Race your most looking forward to next year: Bizarre as it sounds, Aintree Hurdle. Best Horse for next year: Wonderful Charm looks a cracker. Best Tip for next year: Thousand Stars for the World Hurdle now big bucks is out. 20/1. Good thread.
