Being gracious in defeat!

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King Shergar

King Shergar

Well-Known Member
May 9, 2011
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I just thought I'd highlight how gracious Nicky Henderson has been in defeat this season, and how other trainers, especially Paul Nicholls could learn a thing or 2.*

I suppose you all seen the interview with Nicky Henderson before today's Gold Cup, about Long Runs chances and his defeats behind Kauto Star in the Betfair and King George. He never made any excuses for those defeats, and instead claimed those defeats were down to a resurgent Kauto Star. When it would have been very easy to come up with a cock and bull story, something which we have been used to hearing from Paul Nicholls, for everyone of his big guns defeats.

After today's defeat of Long Run, I'd imagine Henderson would have been feeling pretty gutted. I know he's had a good week, but when you have the favourite for the Gold Cup, and they don't win, your going to feel a little flat.*

When asked for his reaction after today's Gold Cup he said

*'Im Thrilled with my two boys, and I have to give credit to the winners'

'JP is one of the stalwarts of national hunt racing, and Jonjo and AP are superstars'*

Now that is what I call taking defeat on the chin, rather than making excuses for his fallen champion he has heaped praise on the winners, like a true gent.*

On the otherhand, we have Paul Nicholls, a trainer who has never been guilty of giving any of his opposition any credit. Instead when one of his stars get beat, he comes up with all sorts of excuses, and there are story's all over the racing post, of this and that being wrong with his horse. So rather than the winner getting the credit, all everyone's talking about is how Nicholls horse under performed.*

Im not saying Nicholls is the only trainer who does this, but he is the most high profile trainer who is guilty of bad sportsmanship.*

I just found it refreshing to hear a trainer of a top horse like Long Run offer no excuses for defeats, and instead give credit were credit is due.*
 
Shergs, I fully agree with you about Nicky Henderson being gracious in defeat. He grabbed Nicholls' arm after The Betfair, but the latter didn't acknowledge him- although in fairness Nicholls was keen on getting to the winner's circle. Henderson always congratulates the winning trainer after his own horse is beaten, and it does him great credit. Both he and Geraghty will rightfully remember this Festival for a long time. Geraghty was great all week- likewise McCoy. <ok>
 
Agree with your comments re Mr Henderson BUT you are so wrong about Mr Nicholls IMO. This majestic trainer is always one of the first to congratulate winning connections.

He always explains what he believes was the reason for his horses getting beaten purely because as the countrys leading trainer he is always pressed for comments by the media! If ever you meet him at the races (if you attend that is) he always makes time for a chat and always knows exactly what is happening with his many horses :-)
 
GDC said:
Agree with your comments re Mr Henderson BUT you are so wrong about Mr Nicholls IMO. This majestic trainer is always one of the first to congratulate winning connections.

He always explains what he believes was the reason for his horses getting beaten purely because as the countrys leading trainer he is always pressed for comments by the media! If ever you meet him at the races (if you attend that is) he always makes time for a chat and always knows exactly what is happening with his many horses :-)
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^^^^^
The biggest load of BS you could ever read on the internet!
Oh and ask Princessnewmarket about Nicky Henderson, she will tell you something different and this from a woman who would go out of her way to help anyone on here. If PN says he's a bad egg you could take that to the grave with you!
 
Fluber said:
^^^^^
The biggest load of BS you could ever read on the internet!
Oh and ask Princessnewmarket about Nicky Henderson, she will tell you something different and this from a woman who would go out of her way to help anyone on here. If PN says he's a bad egg you could take that to the grave with you!
Click to expand...

Fluber, why would I want to take a bad egg with me when I go down below for my afterlife? From what I've heard, it smells bad enough down there!<yikes>
 
Mr Henderson may have upset some people, i'm sure the majority of trainers have but there is no doubt he has been gracious in defeat also this season on many occasions.

Princess is indeed a lovely lady and that has never been in question
 
Never met the man and certainly won't formulate an opinion on his character based on the evidence of someone I don't know.
 
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