Hello, Its surely the time to get a review thread up - So give answers to this - Horse Of Year - Trainer Of Year - Jockey Of Year - Story Of Year - Race Of Year - Did I really see that award - Your Most Memorable Betting moment - The Oops Award for the one that got away - The Not606 post of the year - The Not606 poster of the year - The Ron award for being Ron - Merry Christmas and all that jazz
Great idea Nass As my passion is heavily slanted towards National Hunt racing I'll take all my picks from that sphere: Horse Of Year - Hurricane Fly for regaining the Champion Hurdle and breaking the record for most Grade 1 wins Trainer Of Year - Willie Mullins. Genius what he has done with Hurricane Fly and Quevega. Hugely emotional moments on day 1 of Cheltenham, I'll never tire of watching the replays. Jockey Of Year - AP McCoy. Despite JP's deep pockets he doesn't have the regular supply of top class horses that Walsh and Geraghty do but he scraps for every winner and his passion remains undiminished having passed the 4000 winner mark. Great scenes from Towcester when he booted Mountain Tunes home in typical, determined fashion, and it was fitting that he was riding for Jonjo and JP. Story Of Year - The injury to JT McNamara at Cheltenham. Not a story with a happy ending, but the raw emotion displayed by JP McManus and others in the wake of McNamara's terrible fall reinforced with depth of feeling and camaraderie in the tightly-knit National Hunt community. Race Of Year - The Melling Chase, hands down. The jumping at speed from the first 4 down the back straight was absolutely breathtaking, but not as breathtaking as the way Sprinter Sacre glided past Cue Card on the snaff between the last 2 and coasted clear under a motionless Barry Geraghty. A race that will live in the memory for ever. Did I really see that award - Quevega stumbling at the top of the hill and nearly chucking Ruby over her head, then producing that scintillating turn of foot up the hill to take her legendary 5th Festival victory. I remember reading in AP McCoy's biography, where he got a right bollocking from Jim Bolger for trying to make up ground on a horse going UPHILL. "Make ground going downhill, it's much easier for the horse". The amount of ground Quevega made up the final hill that day was staggering. Another brilliant Simon Holt commentary to accompany the feat as well. Your Most Memorable Betting moment - Monbeg Dude winning the Welsh National. Coming out of the back straight he was nowhere, then coming round the final bend approaching the 4th last you saw this rider in red silks about 30 lengths off the leaders, sitting absolutely still and you think "Hello, surely Carberry can't win from there". Then he edged his way inexorably closer all the way up that long straight at Chepstow and came to the last with a wet sail. But just to make his backers nervous, he made a right horlicks of the last but just had enough left in the tank to get the better of McCoy on Teafotthree. Didn't make me a fortune (my ante post Cheltenham bets on Hurricane Fly, Simonsig and Sprinter Sacre took care of that) but it was the one race where I was shouting loudest at the screen "Come on my son!!" The Oops Award for the one that got away - too many of these to mention but I continue to back Cue Card when he loses and have, to date, never backed him when he has won. The Not606 post of the year - too many to mention really, but Bustino's thread "With the sap rising the mind turns to fillies" deserves an honourable mention (especially as it threw up some very nice winners) and also the recent post from Nass re his Cheltenham visit and the dress code at Newbury was a great read. But there are so many great contributions to the forum, which is what makes it such a tremendous place to be. The Not606 poster of the year - Princess, for her untiring efforts to answer all our questions and increase our understanding of the breed. But also for setting up that visit to the Newmarket studs - fantastic stuff The Ron award for being Ron - Ron, the one and only. An honourable mention to those members who put in the regular shifts on running comps - Chan and Reebs currently doing it weekly but also hawkeye and steveo, amongst others, who run comps at the big meetings
Crikey Oddy, that was very quick; was it all ready to post? I have no chance of matching such a complete summary. I'll need to take some time to remember let alone select one from each category. However I have no hesitation in agreeing with Oddy re Poster of the Year. For trainer of the year I may throw in Dan Skelton. Although obviously a good apprenticeship with PN, he is (along with his younger brother Harry) from a show jumping background and has made the transition. For jockey I would give worthy mention to Harry Skelton who is supporting his brother and boosted both their careers with that stunning victory in the Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday. Also another jockey whose name I've forgotten (how embarrassing) who is an apprentice on the flat and has few rides but is a threat to all when he does ride. I will look up his name. But the award, for me has to go to no other than AP. Not his biggest fan but credit where credit is due. I am also very grateful to those who put in the time to run competitions for our enjoyment (or in my case humiliation). In fact I thank everyone for making this such an enjoyable forum. And Oddy for rewarding my faith and showing he is more than capable of being the mod when I have to call it a day; thank you Oddy.
Horse of the year - Treve. We really do appear to be in the middle of a real purple patch with the likes of Sea the Stars, Frankel and now Treve all coming along in a short space of time, all exceptional horses. Trainer of the year - Richard Hannon in his final year at the helm showed his trade mark consistency by farming smaller races as usual but also demonstrated that over the last handful of years he has made the transition into group class trainer with ease. Quality trainer with a talented team around him and not so many big owners. Race of the year - Treve's Arc Triumph for sheer class and making a decent race look like a stepping stone. Did I really see that - Jamie Spencer still attempting the same tactics at Royal Ascot for a third and fourth time, achieving the same result as he did on the previous occasions and looking like the only person who was surprised at that. Jockey of the year - A tricky one for me as I still believe Hughsie is the best horseman but for consistency, effort and all round good bloke appeal I hand this to my favourite Jim Crowley. I really hope he finds his way onto better horses as believe he will let no one down. Story of the year - Al Zarooni drug scandal. Memorable betting moment - Bredden and Picture Dealer both winning as last legs in two separate five timers only a couple weeks apart, beating previous totals won each time. Oops that got away - Chord chart being the last leg in a five timer that would have surpassed the above bets by far but only finishing 3rd or 4th. 606 Poster of the year - Princess by a mile. Always informative, always polite, always helpful and never putting anyone else down. 606 Post of the year - Many noticed often yet impossible to recall. With regard threads I like the non horse racing thread as it shows we can chat of other things, but I think Princess gets this for her post offering the Frankel stud visit. A very generous offer highlighting the community aspect of this forum. Ron Award - Ron needs no award but he is the man without which the trouble makers would have ruined the forum long ago. His delegation skills came to the fore also this year by recruiting a great second in command in Oddie, caps dothed and respect afforded to both fine gentlemen. Thanks to all that make this forum what it is
Horse Of Year - Treve Trainer Of Year - Hannon: had plenty of setbacks but kept bouncing back Jockey Of Year -McCoy Story Of Year - Al Zarooni Race Of Year -St James Palace Stakes Did I really see that award - Gerard Butler Your Most Memorable Betting moment - Not backing Talent (or should that be no betting talent) The Oops Award for the one that got away - Not backing Talent The Not606 post of the year - Offer to go to Juddmonte The Not606 poster of the year - pN The Ron award for being Ron - Ron (unable to attend the awards ceremony but will send his fridge)
Horse of the year â Sprinter Sacre, especially when he won the Queen Mother⦠If really pushed out he would have won by half a lapâ¦!!! [video=youtube;BQIOAhPkC2A]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQIOAhPkC2A&feature=player_detailpage[/video] Plus the commentary at the end is just brilliant... 'Sprinter Sacre is scintillating, he is sparkling, he is spine tingling...!!!' Trainer of the year â Nicky Henderson Jockey of the year â There are some good jockeys out there, (even jump jockeys SBCâ¦!!!) But you have to do hand it to the master AP⦠Story of the year â I should really say it is to do with the drugs and Al Zarooni but Hurricane Fly making a bit of history is the one I shall nominate. A truly remarkable horse... Race of the year â Zarkandarâs win in the Aintree Hurdle over The New One. When one of your favourite horses dosnt do well, it sometimes knocks your confidence with them, and after Zakandars 4th in the Champion Hurdle to Hurricane Fly my faith had been dented somewhat. But I stuck by the boy and he repaid my love of him back in bucket loads after this gutsy and brave fight back against The New One⦠Zarkandar is one of my favourites and will be for a long long time⦠[video=youtube;fkdKafZeiJA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=fkdKafZeiJA[/video] Did I really see that awardâ Miss Jane Mangan might be a name we have all forgotten about but if I said she got thrown off her horse, Oscar Delta, coming up the hill at Cheltenham to give Salsify an easy win, then it will come back to you⦠Most Memorable Bet â Zarkandar winning the Aintree Hurdle, see above... The Oops Award â Having bet on Luis Suarez to be Top Goal scorer last year at 10/1, I gave him a miss this year when he was banned, and probably going to bugger off soon... He was 33/1 at the start of the season... currently sits at 1/6...!!! Not606 Post of the year award â To all the posters who study for far longer than I do and put their time and efforts into delivering a better insight to the Cheltenham Festival than most of the media dos⦠Not606 Poster â Princess The Ron Award for being Ron â Ron, and not the horse Ron⦠Oh, and I tip of the hat to Oddy for all his work in Moderating the Moderator...
Horse Of Year - Sprinter Sacre Trainer Of Year - Willie Mullins Jockey Of Year - A P McCoy Story Of Year - Lady Cecil saddling two winners at Royal Ascot the week after Sir Henry's death (all be it that poor old Thomas Chippendale's was in the saddest of circumstances). Race Of Year - The Arc Did I really see that award - No Nay never in the Norfolk. The horse did everything possible to lose the race and won it by a street. Your Most Memorable Betting moment - Bobs Worth in the gold cup The Oops Award for the one that got away - Novellist in the diamond stakes The Not606 post of the year - Princess Newmarket's visit thread. What a fantastic day it was and it was an absolute pleasure to meet a few forum memebers and it was great to hear Princess's expert insight into the goings on in and around the town. The Not606 poster of the year - There's loads on here that are excellent in their analysis and also make me chuckle such as Oddy, Stick, Dexter, Nass, Swanny, Bustino, RV and Boston Bob. However, for consistently putting a smile on my face and because he has caused the OED to rewrite the definition of tongue in cheek i'm going for Sir Barney Chuckles. The Ron award for being Ron - Ron - what a star that man is. Always helpful and gives the impression that he never sees this as anything other than fun even though some of us (me included) probably make it a right pain in the bum at times.
Horse of the Year the black aeroplane Trainer of the Year and every year Rebecca Curtis Jockey of the Year AP McCoy. Not only a top sportsmen but refreshingly honest in his autobiography. Story of the Year Zarooni drug scandal. Not the actual breach of rules but the haste with which it was 'dealt' with by the authorities. With others apparently still being investigated I suspect that this issue will re-emerge in 2014. Race of the Year The New One winning the Neptune. I've restricted this to races I witnessed and it was great to see that when it comes to hurdles races the old adage a good big un beats a good littl'un doesn't necessarily count for anything. It also pleased me that in the previews I watched, some fat oath of a pro gambler whose name I can't recall, was touting Pont Alexandre as the sure thing of the meeting. Chin up fatty. Did I really see that award The local ladies at the Aintree Grand National meeting. Shares in spray tan, primark and matalan must rocket during early April. Memorable Betting moment Easy, 840/1 treble on the young apprentice Mr Murphy in August Oops, the one that got away Went to Newmarket in July for one of those evening race/concert events with a load of non racing mates. Tipped nothing but losers and discovered Gallop had popped on here earlier in the day and tipped up a good thing which had duly obliged. Must get one of those cunning mobile devices!
