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Still on the fence with this one.
On winning – the way Frankel paraded himself in front of the stands after laying waste to the rest in the 2012 Queen Anne seems rather feasible.
On losing – Altior appeared quite dejected after losing his unbeaten run to Cyrname in the Christy 1965 Chase.
As for most horses, they seem to be oblivious to it all
I remember the commentator on the 1977 Derby saying that Hot Grove (2nd by a neck) looked dejected as if he knew he’d been beaten. Although I am sure that some horses love getting their heads in front, generally I suspect it is more a case of the horse picking up vibes of disappointment or joy from their jockey. Most horses want to please
I’m not sure that a horse grasps the concept of being in a race… seems somewhat anthropomorphic to think that that they do.
Going back to Frankel Ghost, Sir Henry Cecil gave all his fans and Newmarket racegoers a rare treat when he decided to ‘trick’ Frankel into thinking he was going racing when he was really only having a gallop down the Rowley Mile with stable companion Specific Gravity and half brother Bullit Train. This was in the Autumn of 2012 prior to Frankel’s final race The Champion Stakes.
The horses were led round the Parade Ring and then the jockeys in full racing colours mounted and went to post.
The racecourse commentary blared out over the tannoy as Frankel in his element did his usual playing to the crowd and effortlessly won the contest.
Led back into the winners enclosure we all played along and gave him the heroes welcome he deserved.
Sir Henry Cecil most certainly believed a horse knows when he has won or lost and that fanning an ego as large as Frankel’s would pay dividends…and it did..
JacThings turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...Remember Frankie saying Authorised “thinks he has won today” after the 2007 Coral Eclipse when Notnowcato beat him on the other side of the track. I wonder if he did.
He wouldn’t have needed to “think” he had if Dettori had bothered to walk the course…..
BUY THE SUN
Desmond Morris ( the presenter of Zoo Time for those with long memories ) thought that the horse knew it had won.
We often see horses trying to run out when they pass the walkway to the stables so it’s possible they know where the winning post is.
Next question:
Does showing horses the first fence/hurdle before a race make any difference whatsoever?
Discuss
@patriot1
No..especially if the likes of Luke Harvey pops up from behind the fence and scares the c##p out of them.
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...
Jac
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