Davy Russell

[floridaspearl]

This is the first time I’ve actually read this thread having been down in God’s own county when the majority of it was aired.

I’m actually saddened and shocked (so shocked in fact that my monocle popped out) that some members seem fine about a jockey punching a horse and that a worthy ‘punishment’ is either a caution or 4 days suspension. I’d say at the very minimum 3 months suspension would be a suitable reprimand. Ask yourself this question – is it OK for a person to punch a horse when the horse isn’t acting in a manner likely to cause injury to that person or someone else. Anyone who answers that with anything other than the word ‘no’ in my opinion seriously wants to look at themselves. Meanwhile, anyone who says ‘no but what people not in the racing industry don’t understand…’ is just as bad and really are the reason why the sport is so mocked and disparaged by huge sections of both the media and the country. I’ve always maintained that for racing to fall further in the nation’s mindset all it ever needs to do is put a microphone in front of 90% of the people associated with the sport. The prime example being Simon Claisse who infamously remarked one year, after 5 horse had died on the opening 2 days of the Cheltenham Festival (including my old fave Featherbed Lane). ‘I’m not discussing this Cheltenham doesn’t have a problem’.

This incident has done a huge amount to further disparage the image of horse racing and given huge leverage to those keen to attack it.

You've obviously never been on the back of a horse that won't stop.

 

[King Shergar]

You've obviously never been on the back of a horse that won't stop.

The horse was stood still when he hit it.

 

[Sir Barney Chuckles]

You've obviously never been on the back of a horse that won't stop.

And what’s that got to do with anything?!? This is a perfect example of what I’ve actually just detailed above. Rather than just deal with the Davy Russell incident ‘apologists’ are keen to muddy the waters by going totally off tangent and move the conversation onto other aspects of horsemanship.

If you want to talk about horses that won’t stop and preventive measures to take in those instances, fine, start another thread dedicated to that subject. Let’s, here, stick to Russell and what he did.

 

[floridaspearl]

And what’s that got to do with anything?!? This is a perfect example of what I’ve actually just detailed above. Rather than just deal with the Davy Russell incident ‘apologists’ are keen to muddy the waters by going totally off tangent and move the conversation onto other aspects of horsemanship.

If you want to talk about horses that won’t stop and preventive measures to take in those instances, fine, start another thread dedicated to that subject. Let’s, here, stick to Russell and what he did.

And that's what I'm doing, Davy asked the horse to stop and it didn't. Davy asked the horse to go several times and it didn't. Here's the question. Would I want to go out and ride a horse in race conditions that wouldn't listen to basic stop and go commands? The answer is definitely no!!

 

[floridaspearl]

The horse was stood still when he hit it.

Planted I'd say.

 

[Sir Barney Chuckles]

Davy asked the horse to go several times and it didn't.

So his response was to punch it?!? The horse wouldn’t go forward so he punched it. Do you seriously think that is acceptable behaviour on a racecourse or elsewhere (incidentally it also baffles me as to why people think because it happened on a racecourse it is different to say the High Street)???

I can honestly say if I ever woke up one morning and thought it was acceptable for a man to punch a horse simply because it wouldn’t move then I would seek urgent medical help.

 

[floridaspearl]

So his response was to punch it?!? The horse wouldn’t go forward so he punched it. Do you seriously think that is acceptable behaviour on a racecourse or elsewhere (incidentally it also baffles me as to why people think because it happened on a racecourse it is different to say the High Street)???

I can honestly say if I ever woke up one morning and thought it was acceptable for a man to punch a horse simply because it wouldn’t move then I would seek urgent medical help.

Where did I say that read the thread I've stated my view.

 

[QuarterMoonII]

"Trial by social media" results in a 4 day ban for Russell for a few days after Listowel. Horrible, horrible aftertaste this leaves, for the way he was vilified online and the governing body was made to look ridiculous by the appeal. The way of the world these days I suppose ................... but in the words of Graham Taylor: "Do I not like that"

Had the officials at Listowel applied some commonsense on the day and handed out the four day ban, there would have been no furore. Their inaction left the door open to the animal rights people to create a bandwagon and encourage others to jump aboard.

Obviously lessons need to be learnt by those that supposedly run the sport... and clearly by some of those who participate.

 

[hawkeye]

Is it OK to punch any animal that won't do what you want it to do?

 

[Cyclonic]

I'm not saying it fine to punch a horse, but the number of people now standing atop the moral high ground is starting to look a little suss. Some folk want to come up with all manner of support for why a rider needs a whip, but in most cases, the main reason a whip is used during a race is to force a horse to give more. Sure it is needed from time to time for safety reasons, but it's mostly used in pursuit of money.

Punching is wrong. Whipping is what? I understand the anger over the punch, by why aren't people arcing up on a daily basis over belting a horse with a whip? Why isn't there a protest thread on the issue in the forum? Somewhere we can all log on and cause a stink over the blatant use of the whip when used for anything but safety purposes?

 

[stick]

Davy asked the horse to stop and it didn't. Davy asked the horse to go several times and it didn't.

You must be watching a different video to me florida.
The one I see is the horse heading to the show hurdle at speed and braking abruptly. After a good few seconds and without asking the horse to do anything else the jockey punched it in the head.
I am happy with the punishment that has now been given which I feel is in line with the offence. The Irish Authorities attempt to sweep it under the carpet is sadly in keeping with the many things that are wrong with horse racing officialdom these days!

 

[QuarterMoonII]

You'd think he'd react with abit of regret for what he did and apologise for it. Instead he's playing the victim card, despite getting off very lightly in my opinion. A 4 day ban is nothing for a jockey with his wealth. I'd of given him minimum a few months. That clip will be used against horse racing by animal rights campaigners til the end of time.

Agreed, you would have thought that Mr Russell would have showed a little contrition as the matter has done little for his reputation. Had it been dealt with at the time, he surely would not have appealed the ban because somebody would have indicated to him that mud sticks – something that a jump jockey ought to know plenty about – and what he did was viewed disparagingly by followers of the game as well as the general public.

 

[floridaspearl]

You must be watching a different video to me florida.
The one I see is the horse heading to the show hurdle at speed and braking abruptly. After a good few seconds and without asking the horse to do anything else the jockey punched it in the head.
I am happy with the punishment that has now been given which I feel is in line with the offence. The Irish Authorities attempt to sweep it under the carpet is sadly in keeping with the many things that are wrong with horse racing officialdom these days!

I've only seen the short video on the thread. The horse piles into a group looking at the hurdle which we've all seen many times. In normal circumstances Davy would have pulled up to a walk, had his girth checked had a walk round and presented the horse to the jump. That didn't happen in this instance. Listen I'm not defending him but as stated it's a dangerous sport and Davy had obviously lost his patience with this horse. Do I think he goes around beating horses routinely no.

 

[Ron]

So he got a 4 day ban. Good job it wasn't a person he punched in the head.

 

[Ron]

.......Listen I'm not defending him but as stated it's a dangerous sport and Davy had obviously lost his patience with this horse. ....

I've watched the video several times (with my wife and daughter). Christ, when I think of some of the nutters my daughter has ridden, I dread to think what he would have done to some of them. Everyone has their views and they are entitled to them. Mine is I wouldn't have him anywhere near my horses.

 

[floridaspearl]

I've watched the video several times (with my wife and daughter). Christ, when I think of some of the nutters my daughter has ridden, I dread to think what he would have done to some of them. Everyone has their views and they are entitled to them. Mine is I wouldn't have him anywhere near my horses.

This aside Ron . What don't you like about him?

 

[Ron]

This aside Ron . What don't you like about him?

I know nothing about him FP. Never really noticed him to be honest.

 

[stick]

I've watched the video several times (with my wife and daughter). Christ, when I think of some of the nutters my daughter has ridden, I dread to think what he would have done to some of them. Everyone has their views and they are entitled to them. Mine is I wouldn't have him anywhere near my horses.

I thought you were keeping clear of this one.......

 

[OddDog]

So he got a 4 day ban. Good job it wasn't a person he punched in the head.

No Ron, that's called "Boxing" and is covered on another thread

 

[Ron]

I thought you were keeping clear of this one.......

Yes stick. I kept out of the argument. Now it's been dealt with I just felt compelled to add my two pennyworth. Won't be commenting any more