soon to be held at the Racecourse of Qatar, Goodwood. Along with Goodwood Festival of Qatar Speed. I hear they are renaming Royal Ascot to, Royal Highness the Sultan of Swing Ascot.
Three outsiders that i think hold ew chances if putting best foot forward: 3:05 Wolves - Salvatore Fury 10/1 3:40 Wolves - Time Medicean 25/1 4:45 Wolves - Kyle Of Bute 25/1
Regarding Squires chances, you guys can't be very impressed with how the handicapper has treated the horse. Finishes 3rd of 9 so they up him a couple of pounds, then finishes 7 of 11, so they still keep him on the same mark. It really doesn't make to much sense to me. As it happens today's race doesn't look the toughest of contests for him, but as a front runner being drawn 8 of 9 could pose a small problem early on. I'd agree that Pressburg looks to be the best handicapped horse in the race, as unlike Squire the handicapper actually lowers him when he finishes down the field. It's not a race il be having a bet on though, so best of luck guys, I hope Squire can get the job done for you
Gosh, whatever next? One of the runners in the Foxhunters running in the colours of pearl bloodstock. oh wait.... All good that they are involved and investing, but why sell the charisma and prestige of our racing out to the highest bidder? Its not as if it is improving the lower tiers of the sport either, you just end up with more poor horses and dire prizemoney. At least in France (where Qatar sponsor the Arc) have good prizemoney, cheap racecourse entry fees and seem able to control their sport in the right way. Racing in this country is held to ransom by the rich investors (think bloodstock) and the bookmakers, neither are great for the long term health of the sport.
Agreed Nass, it's the grass roots of the sport which needs more support. The top notch meetings are doing fine and don't need re-branding. Someone once bandied a figure about how many people the horse racing industry employs in Britain - was it something like 50,000?
I'd be surprised if it wasn't higher than that to be honest, its a massive industry, and the people who are really paying for it are those who are up early mucking out and riding out, they get paid a pittance and aren't treated particularly well. Yet as a racehorse owner, you have to pay a lot of money for the upkeep of the horses, and I frankly wonder where most of that money goes in some yards. I think it needs regulating by the BHA, whereby those who are working with the horses are given a proper living wage, and given proper benefits for doing what is a tough job. Yet, the money seems just to go to those at the top of the tree, those who can afford to buy horses/yards and it just spirals. I know I have been frank with my views about Olly Stevens training abilities before, but it really is amazing how someone so out of their depth can maintain a yard with the form they have, and that is purely because the yard is owned by Qatar and is invested in by them. Yet you have other quality trainers going out of business because they can't get the right investment. It really is the blind leading the blind at times!! As for going racing, I haven't been to a course since the Cheltenham Festival, and I haven't had a bet since then. I am very close to falling out of the sport completely, and its only because Cheltenham is a wonderful place, and the fact the quality jumps racing takes place around my area that will keep me relatively enthused. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that many others are feeling the same way as myself. Its all going to the dogs.
I think that might be equine industry Oddy, rather than the thoroughbred racing industry. No idea how it is split though.
The pay of those 'mucking' out the stables early in the morning, is just a normal part of society. Those who do the **** jobs, excuse the pun get paid the least, and those who are sitting at the top of the tree not getting their hands dirty are getting paid more. This isn't just a horse racing thing, this is a normal part of society. And unless we turn into a communist country, that's unlikely to change
Its not the case in other sports though is it Shergs? Its not about the pay increases as you get higher, its about how low they are now. Given the way its going, racing will face a crisis at some point.
Forget that. Said beast hasn’t been declared. Don’t fret though regular readers I’m not about to disrobe as not actually currently wearing the betting boots, the punting pants or the wagering waistcoat. Had a stroll out at lunchtime (no ‘top table’ fun for me today) and if you want a chuckle have a look at the front page of the latest ‘Private Eye’. My guffaws could be heard at the other end of Smiths’. Meanwhile, I hope Stick arrives early at Sandown Park, this afternoon, as I see Mr Ponsonby, the forum's 2nd favourite owner, has one running 2 races before the legendary, Squire. Cor blimey what a meeting of minds that will be in the ‘Owners and Trainers’ Bar.
Thanks for all the best wishes. No one has mentioned stable form which for me is a concern.... Fingers crossed our boy does the biz and comes back safe and sound!
Good luck today Don & Stick - as said before there are two with handicap marks that if today is their on day then it might not be squires day
Best of look lads with the forums fav horse.Yard and course form are the two biggest things I look for when backing a horsey
