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It sounds like things are much worse up north, so. Only last week I saw N. Henderson saddling up a winner in the stables at Ludlow. He was immaculately dressed as ever, with expensive low shoes ( not wellies or dublins).
Some of the landed gentry there had enough tweed and fur on them to nearly match the value of all that money that FOF said he lost down the back of his couch! I didn’t hear them complaining about conditions.
In fact, I seem to remember Venetia was wearing high heels when she saddled her winner.I think we may be talking at cross-purposes: I call the stable cubicles "boxes", but what I’m saying is why didn’t they do what they needed to do in their own, clean, motorised transport box ( ie the lorry)?
One time at Epsom, I remember seeing S bin Suroor saddling up under a tree, and not going into the stable at all. In fact, I’ve seen that sort of thing many times.
Anyway, what chemicals were in the lass’s bag? The authorities seem to have come down very hard.
Saddling boxes are different from stable boxes.
The saddling boxes at Musselburgh are probably the best in the country. Its the old stable block where horses spend time before and after races that is the concern.
Yes, fair enough, Wallace.
I suppose a lack of funds is a major problem; a lot of the infrastructure is probably out-dated nowadays.
It sounds like things are much worse up north, so. Only last week I saw N. Henderson saddling up a winner in the stables at Ludlow. He was immaculately dressed as ever, with expensive low shoes ( not wellies or dublins).
Some of the landed gentry there had enough tweed and fur on them to nearly match the value of all that money that FOF said he lost down the back of his couch! I didn’t hear them complaining about conditions.
In fact, I seem to remember Venetia was wearing high heels when she saddled her winner.I think we may be talking at cross-purposes: I call the stable cubicles "boxes", but what I’m saying is why didn’t they do what they needed to do in their own, clean, motorised transport box ( ie the lorry)?
One time at Epsom, I remember seeing S bin Suroor saddling up under a tree, and not going into the stable at all. In fact, I’ve seen that sort of thing many times.
Anyway, what chemicals were in the lass’s bag? The authorities seem to have come down very hard.
Can’t take that bet unfortuantely Sean it’s all on Kauto and SE for the Champion.
You will often see horses being tacked up in various spots, if the boxes are all being used and time is pushing on, but you are getting a little confused………Horse box has wheels, Stables you like most punters probably you have never seen and saddling boxes are only for tacking up horses not treating them………stables could be like a ****-hole and we would never know. No one said he traeted the horses cut in the stables no idea where you got that from……and cut the crap about money down the back of my couch your like a broken record
Yes, cheers, FOF.
I think I’d avoid bad stables if I could. How long does a horse have to be on course before the race nowadays? Is it an hour?
I regret to say that I’ve seen more than enough stables to last me a lifetime! The lack of fresh air was the main problem. I thought that most of those old things had gone by now. Terrible old places.
Yes, cheers, FOF.
I think I’d avoid bad stables if I could. How long does a horse have to be on course before the race nowadays? Is it an hour?
I regret to say that I’ve seen more than enough stables to last me a lifetime! The lack of fresh air was the main problem. I thought that most of those old things had gone by now. Terrible old places.
I think they MUST be there 1 hour before racing but most would want them there about 3 hours beforehand to settle them in.
Walked across to the stables at Hexam racecourse and from memory they were all open plan concrete block things but couldn’t swear to it as it was along time ago. May have changed a lot since then though or even fallen down. If they are indoors I would imagine the germs flying about could be deadly if not looked after………that makes me wonder how much credibility is attached to Murphy’s outburst. Surely there would be an abundance of complaints lodge?
Huge difference between being old and dingy and how Murphy described them……….yet to see a horse die from a drop of rain hitting him on the ass from an old leaking roof……
FOF, you are so off the mark with comments about a horse not dying from a drop of rain. A damp musty stable is perfect for the growth mould and other bacteria. Horses are very susceptible to airborne bugs and a clean dry, well ventilated stable is fundamental to good health.
Wallace is dead right about stable environment and the health of horses. Which is why any racing stable worthy of the name makes sure their boxes are properly maintained and the horses are mucked out twice and regularly disinfected.
Back on the original topic though, I had a runner at a track not that far from the Midlands about three years ago. He was one of the first to arrive and when his THG went to check out the stabling, she was dismayed to discover that the stables had not been cleaned from the last meeting, mouldy straw, droppings. stagnant water were still still there.
To her credit she sought out the then MD of the course and pointed this out, the initial response was – ridiculous, can’t be the case. To which her response was – come and see for yourself then.
Also the toilet/washing facilities for the lads/lasses had not been cleaned since the last meeting either.
This was reported, but I have no idea whether the authorities took any action with regard to the course, I suspect not.
On the bright side, have not experienced anything as bad as that since, but I have every sympathy with trainers who are worried about the basic hygene in racecourse stables. There is a great deal of variability in the capability of management of individual racecourses, ranging from stabling to the way they manage the ground on the course itself.
richard
quote from Fist:
The BHA wouldn’t have a clue what they should be like as not one of them has ever worked in a yard in their lives.
Wallace is dead right about stable environment and the health of horses. Which is why any racing stable worthy of the name makes sure their boxes are properly maintained and the horses are mucked out twice and regularly disinfected.
Back on the original topic though, I had a runner at a track not that far from the Midlands about three years ago. He was one of the first to arrive and when his THG went to check out the stabling, she was dismayed to discover that the stables had not been cleaned from the last meeting, mouldy straw, droppings. stagnant water were still still there.
To her credit she sought out the then MD of the course and pointed this out, the initial response was – ridiculous, can’t be the case. To which her response was – come and see for yourself then.
Also the toilet/washing facilities for the lads/lasses had not been cleaned since the last meeting either.
This was reported, but I have no idea whether the authorities took any action with regard to the course, I suspect not.
On the bright side, have not experienced anything as bad as that since, but I have every sympathy with trainers who are worried about the basic hygene in racecourse stables. There is a great deal of variability in the capability of management of individual racecourses, ranging from stabling to the way they manage the ground on the course itself.
richard
My comment about the drop of rain was toungue in cheek and not meant to be taken seriously.
The truth is unless we can inspect every racecourse stable in the country we are guessing on their individual condition and only have an irate man’s word for it they are in such bad condition.
The question remains if Murphy is correct and they are so bad why are other trainers not taking a stand to have them improved?
I am no fan of Ferdy Murphy but I know for certain the stable block me mentioned at Musselburgh is unacceptable as the last horse I ran at the track was in one of these boxes. Given this I would say he is probably correct about other courses and action should be taken.
FERDY MURPHY, who described the BHA as a “bunch of headless chickensâ€
Backing two runners is the relentless pursuit of value. Backing each way is a shortcut to the poor house. Only 7% make a long term profit.
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