Barney Curley

[IanDavies]

In terms of a moral question – and given it assumes Curley was a “wrong’un” – isn’t that a bit like saying: “if you had chance to be part of a dodgy caper you’d be a fool if you said no?”

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[Salut A Toi]

Interesting thread.

I’ve not followed low grade UK racing for some time so can’t really express an opinion on some of his recent antics. I suspect these are the ones that have attracted the most criticism on this thread but when he first came to the UK and struck his “I can train 10 winners by Christmas” bet that seemed to me to be quite an impressive achievement.

I’m struggling to remember the names of the horses but I think there was one called Experimenting and The Hacienderos might have been another. Most of them were of low ability and/or coming back from long layoffs and he put his money where his mouth was, got them to the racecourse fit and well enough to win and landed his bet.

Anyway one thing is beyond dispute, dead or alive, he wouldn’t care one iota what any of us think about him.

[He Didnt Like Ground]

Ian as already pointed out none of his coups were illegal , if they had of been then the bookies wouldn’t have paid out

Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026

[Gingertipster]

I wouldn’t describe Barney Curley as entirely a “wrongun” MC, did good things away from Racing… And not all bad within Racing either. Just that imo his betting coups often had a lot to be desired.

To answer your question: If “given the heads up” as in knowing the whole story of a prospective coup based on “wrong”doing it wouldn’t matter to me who it was. Have to be what you consider a “fool” and go to the authorities. Do the right thing, hope most would do the same.

Value Is Everything

[IanDavies]

HDLG,

I was answering a question that had a specific assumption built into it.

I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"

[clivexx]

Good thread

Nice obit in the times today and a more complex character than I gave him credit for (not that my opinion matters). There were aspects of his worldview I liked

I wouldn’t back on a “heads up” frankly. I bet pretty modest amounts and skip many races even when at the course. I had a rule that I never betted either way when one of his was involved. Just didn’t want anything to do with it

[TimJames]

Most merely dream, but Barney made those dreams come true.

[Author]

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