Hello all, After reading Shergar's comments about the King George I thought we should have a thread for big race commentaries that worked and those that really didn't. My ones Good - Epsom Derby 2008 New Approach RUK - just because of how well it is compared to aussie jim - [video=youtube;A4V1ad2Q2NY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4V1ad2Q2NY[/video] Kauto Star King George 2009 - just how he jumps and the commentators superlatives on every jump and then the final fence. History made. [video=youtube;Xh0BKgmx0VM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh0BKgmx0VM[/video] Bad - Breeders Cup Classic 2008 - Curlin Curlin Curlin look at him - [video=youtube;Pn2bnTeeIZk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn2bnTeeIZk[/video]
Good choices Nass. Just brings back what a good horse New approach was - has a horse ever got into more trouble than that and still won a Derby? I know I'm biased but it is always fun to watch the 1973 Gold Cup again to hear the great POS getting it wrong with 'only this fence between Pendil and victory'. McGrath's commentary on Sea the Stars Arc was terrific.
Glad you enjoyed it Fulkes. It was very painful for me. It was the only ever Gold Cup I saw live and Pendil was my favourite horse, which was why I went.
Great commentary: Tom Durkan for Arazi's BC win in 91...fantastic. Graham Goode,for Zafonics,Dewhurst and guineas w Awful commentary. Anything by that tw*t Trevor Denman
The nuggets that stick in the old Chuckle brain include the 2009 ‘King George VI Chase’ that you mention. I thought Simon Holt was excellent as Kauto Star romped up the home straight. Although at the line I was cursing as I had Barbers Shop (at nice prices in the market without Kauto) and he got pipped on the line for 2nd. But, in the big juvenile hurdle race at Aintree a year or 2 back didn’t ‘Aussie’ Jim call the race without noticing the horse who had stormed up the far rail to win the race??? Only once the race was over did he rather embarrassingly realise what had happened??? Not a big race but another that I very much recall was from one of the very first times I ever went racing as a little ‘un. There was a horse called ‘Don’t Drop Bombs’ running. He made a very quick start and the commentator remarked ‘Don’t Drop Bombs explodes from the stalls’. I recall that by the time everyone had stopped groaning at this quip and the commentator stopped chuckling at his own joke the race was all but over.
Best ever, end of story - still brings a lump to my throat every time I listen to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcCuIVn6egM
The Chltenham gold Cup climax was good this year "and Denman and kauto star are rolling back the years"
Chippy I really like Simon Holt, great passion and enthusiasm in his commentary. Somewhere I still have a copy of the CH4 racing programme when Denman won his second Hennessey - one of the all time great commentaries IMHO
Bad commentators: That guy who commentates on Canadian racing. He sounds like he's about to have a breakdown every time I hear him. The two finalists in the Filly Factor at Ascot on Sunday. If they were supposed to be "the best", then I'm glad I missed the also-rans. Peter and Tony O'Hehir. John Hanmer. I think the worst commentary I've heard would be shared jointly between Ian Bartlett and Graham Goode. Bartie for calling the wrong winner in this year's French Derby, and GG for a commentary he did many years ago at York. There was a horse called "In The Money" who went clear in the final furlong so GG got a bit carried away and started singing "We're In The Money". It was 'hide behind the sofa' stuff.
They are actually training up the winner of the filly factor to be a proper commentator. This whole sexism obsession this country has, has gone way to far, if there is a women commentating on the racing, then il watch it with the mute button on. Women should be commentating on sports like Netball, Swimming, Tennis, Gymnastics and other Womens sports. Sports that women watch. How many women actually watch Racing? It just seems ridiculous to try and push through a female commentator on a sport where 99% of the viewers are men
It has to be: Hollywood Park – Breeders’ Cup Classic 1987 Tom Durkin: “Judge Angelucci desperate, Ferdinand right there, Alysheba on the outside. Ferdinand, Judge Angelucci, on the outside Alysheba. Ferdinand has the lead, Alysheba - a final surge - the two Derby winners hit the wire together; Ferdinand and Alysheba in a dramatic photo finish in the World’s richest horserace.” Much more exciting than the following year: Churchill Downs – Breeders’ Cup Classic 1988 Tom Durkin: “Alysheba is right there and on the outside Seeking The Gold. Alysheba with the short lead is unyielding, Seeking The Gold a final move as they come to the wire and Alysheba, America’s horse, has done it.”
There was a similar one in the States - the bloke started singing doh re mi fah so la ti doh. I try not to swear on here biut let's just say that he was an absolute moron who deserves a really hard slap.
Fulkes.......I know too many women, and they are all the same, I often wonder why I put up with them. I've been tempted to sling the mrs out for a while now
