Yes my friends, the day has at long last arrived. The day when the true racing fan, a person with a refined understanding of just what it takes to recognise the inner beauty of our noble equine friends, can finally sit back and revel in the majesty of racing at it's very best. No more to suffer the humiliation in having to witness the plodding, hulk of a horse that barely musters enough speed to get out of it's own way while attempting to negotiate it's way around a course littered with obstacles. It's pure madness on four legs. And those in high places are fully aware of just how ludicrous the whole affair must look to the wider public. For they have long taken prudent measures to curb this arcane, ugliness, and by doing so, shield the vulgarity of it all from a populace who do not in any way deserve this insult to the eyeballs being thrust upon them. It is for this reason, that the past time has been hidden away in the colder months, when the weather gets it's chance to protect us as well. If it's too cold to go out, hopefully it'll pass unknown. This will come as quite a surprise to those of a thinking nature on this forum, but there are actually some, for one reason or another, who have foolishly let themselves be seduced by this mediocrity that is in reality, little more than a pseudo, sporting past time. Would the world have stood still for the bastardisation of the 100m Olympic Final, if Daley Thompson had been allowed to line up against the great Carl Lewis in Los Angeles? I think not. And to compare top flight, flat racing with the hunt scene, is to equate the 3000m Olympic Steeplechase with that of the 1500m Final. In those self same games, the wonderful athlete Sebastian Coe won the 1500m. Can anybody, off the top of their head, recall who won the steeplechase? I don't see too many hands in the air. Well for the sake of even handiness, I'll tell you the gentleman's name, Julius Korir. I'm a sporting nut, but I'm damned if I can remember him. Get the message? Flat racing on the other hand is filled with the stuff of legends. Not that hunt racing does not. But if 15 Eddie the eagles took to the air, one of them has to win. Even in events steeped in mediocrity, someone has to stand atop the **** pile. There is no substitute for quality. Today we're extremely fortunate in that we get to see the running of the time honoured classic, the 2000 Guineas, a race first run more than 200 years ago. These three year old athletes represent the cutting edge in thoroughbred breeding, and as such, are revered right across the globe. It will be on the backs of individuals like these, that the future of the breed will evolve. This is the way forward. This is where the glory is found. I can't help but feel that hunt breeding is but a slippery slope that can only lead to the devolution of the animal. Frederico Tesio would be rolling over in his hole in the ground. If we breed to the lowest common denominator, we'll never again see the likes of Frankel, Sea The Stars, Rock Of Gibraltar, Nashwan, Dancing Brave, Brigadier Gerard, Nijinsky and their ilk. So I say rejoice my friends and raise your arms in praise of the supreme for delivering us from the darkness. Your's with great affection, Kingman of Australia.
Bit like them jump jockeys cyc. It takes balls of steel to flog those slow farm animals round a swamp for 3 miles mate.
And when you think that some of these races are worth only few few thousand, the rider's fee must be bugger all. They risk their lives for next to nothing.
A right ****ing wind-up this thread; won't bite like I normally do! Sandpit racing, for Christ's sake!
They must love it. There's no other reason really. Having stood near the last at Cheltenham a few times, I can only assume it's a huge adrenalin rush jumping a fence at speed (sort of) in the middle of a ruck of horseflesh.
Yep, Archers Road, there just is nothing to compare with National Hunt racing, at all levels. To stand on the infield by one of the fences in the back-straight at little old Plumpton, for example, is the sport of horseracing at its best. I detect the lyrics, and the distant melody, of a well-known tango here? please log in to view this image
Yet on this historic day, our daily thread describes the day as "punchestown festival day 5", a greater insult I have never seen. I would even have settled for Kentucky Derby day, but to mock two of the most prestigious races in the world by overlooking them for some 3rd rate, no one cares, last chance saloon, 80% over the top, 2% trained for it, how in gods name is this lasting 5 days, who are these bad animals, jesus christ didnt the jumps finish at sandown ffs, "festival", is absurd and highly insulting.
I was thinking about changing the heading Joe I must admit. I think now that the "fun" heading has been seen by all I'll make some space for a mention of the 2000Gns.
