Someone recently asked me why I got involved with horse racing and why I am such an enthusiast for it. I remember one of the first races I watched with interest and it was george washingtons 2000 guineas and that gave me a small bug then it was autherized derby and got more intrested but it wasn't till 2008 that my intrest flaired and what a lucky year to start on ! We had new approach the all conquering horse as a 2yo which then leads me to henrythenavagator outstanding miller and series defeatest of the great ravens pass who got his revenge. In this year we also had the great goldikova , zenyatta and zarkava who where all outstandingly great filly see had lush lashes and halfway to heaven also ! Then we can go to older horses such as soldier of fortune duke of marmalade and getaway the great youmazain finishing 2nd in the arc and then we have the stalwart yeats for me to have started watching racing in this year was exceptional Goldikova Zarkava Zenyatta Curlin Henrythenavagator New approach Lush lashes Halfway to heaven Yeats Duke of marmalade Soldier of fortune Ravens pass Getaway Just some Of the great horses in that year it was outstanding Please share your favourite year and why
2008 by a mile, to add to your list Natagora, Infallible, Spacious, Nahoodh, Saoirse Abu, Muthabara, Darjina just in the fillies mile division, incredible depth Paco Boy and Twice Over were 3yo that year as well even the sprinters were decent, Fleeting Spirit, Equiano, Utmost Respect, Kingsgate Native, Marchand Dor and a load of good old handicappers then horses like Cesare, Zidane, Barshiba, not the greatest but had character Kauto, Denman, Binocular, Master Minded over the jumps as well the year before you had the likes of Peeping Fawn, Manduro, Dylan Thomas, Authorized, Lawman, Literato, Notnowcato, Mandesha was a brilliant few years, not sure how fast nostalgia kicks in but ill be surprised if I am looking back on the last few years with the same smile, despite seeing one of the best horses in the history of Europe and a host of other top notchers, just doesnt feel the same
I wouldn't know where to start Mick. I have enjoyed so many years of racing and seen so many great horses that to single out a single year is probably going to prove impossible. It'll be interesting to see what others come up with
Boris I agree what a year 08 was I have been blessed from then with horses such as canford cliffs at nicholas abbey cirrus des aigles frankle sea the stars so you think Camelot and the horses above. What a fantastic few years it has been when we got to the stage of sea the stars it was a horse of a lifetime for sure but after that we have had frankel kingman excelebration Australia black cavier Camelot treve the fugue CDA still going wise dan st nicholas abbey all fantastic horses in a lifetime in there own way there own way we have been blessed for sure lets hope for another 6 years like it
The best year of horse racing? My answer is 2013 Why? Firstly, I had my membership of Cheltenham, so the festival was an obvious highlight, with Our Connor's romp on the final day being the one moment of sheer disbelief. I also had the pleasure to watch wins for At Fishers Cross, Bobs Worth, Sprinter Sacre, Cue Card, The New One, Champagne Fever, Simonsig and of course Hurricane Fly. The festival was brilliant, and set up the year for me. However horse racing for me is about going racing, and in 2013 I was very lucky to go to many racecourses, from the sites and sounds of mediocre Bath, to Gold Cup day at Chelts. To top that off we decided to bookend two holidays with days out at the racing, which meant a day at Longchamps for the Arc and then a wonderful day at Santa Anita for the Breeders Cup. Its the days out that I remember, and I have been fortunate enough to see some of the best horses of a generation, over jumps and also on the flat. That is why I love the sport.
As soon as I saw this thread I knew that you would be right in there with that one. A year of intense rivalry the like of which these whippersnappers have never witnessed.
1985 for me - first year i really got into it and we had the beauty that was Oh So Sharp, the mighty Slip Anchor, a very good Arc winner in rainbow Quest and, of course, the one and only Pebbles. Not the best year maybe but definitely my favourite.
1971 could have been mine as I was all set to go off to watch Mill Reef in the Arc but I didn't go. What was the intense rivalry? I've gone blank.
I have to admit that although I can't single out a year, Pebbles was one of the first to spring to mind. I was in Canada when she smashed the course record. Flight time didn't allow us to go to see the race so we talked our way back into a room in the hotel to watch on TV.
I'll say 1986 because of Dancing Brave, was only 16 but had always been looking in the paper for racing stuff for a fair few years, Troy winning the derby is my first memory of racing. Other than that I would say 1990 because that is the first year I went racing, at York and had 4 winners.
Thanks for replys I am only 25 so the older memories are great I loved 08 and onwards my favourite horse was rip van winkle but have fell in love with racing more than ever Australia has my divine attention can't wait to see him in the Irish champion could be devestating
