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Sensitive, maybe even a silly subject I know but I suspect that, at some point, some of us have secretly been longing to see a good horse get beaten.
For example, I can recall one or two members here who may have hated the fact the Frankel ended his career unbeaten and, perhaps, developed an increasing grudge against him as he became more successful.
I’ll confess that, during the 1984 NH season, the horse I wanted to see get beat was Burrough Hill Lad … all because I couldn’t stand Jenny Pitman! I remember almost screaming the house down during the closing stages of the ’84 King George when Combs Ditch failed by a short head to hold Burrough Hill Lad. Oh the pain that followed!
So, was/is there a horse you wanted/want to see get beaten and what’s the reason behind it?
Desert Orchid.
Nothing against the horse at all, bless him.
But the sycophancy of the press over the connections was disconcerting.
There were even articles debating whether he was a greater chaser than Arkle !.Sir Des Champs in The 2013 Gold Cup is the one that springs to mind. Was delighted when Bobs Worth won.
I’m sure there have been plenty, but one of the recent ones that springs to mind is
Ivawood
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I was so confident that he wouldn’t train on, was overhyped and underpriced etc. I took big side action from a couple of friends who adored the horse, gave them enhanced odds, told every forum and social media outlet I use that he’d get stuffed and laid him for a wedge on Betfair that went way beyond my Kelly Criterion number!
It was a daft moment of ego madness really. I was sweating blood in those last couple of furlongs of the Middle Park!
Long Run. I’ve never thought he was that special, and was always disappointed if he won anything. He wasn’t a ‘character’ horse and I do like characters.
Never ever thought someone would put up Dessie
How could you watch his Gold Cup and not will him to win?I suppose a recent one was Camelot in the Leger, would have preferred to seen him run against Frankel at the time, although we now know he would have got mullered.
New Approach in his Derby.Nothing against the horse,I did not like the trainer insisting he was not going to run.I accept that trainers keep us in the dark with plans for normal horses but you would hope the Derby would be different.
If you go to back a certainty always buy a return ticket.
After the Cheltenham gold cup ’92 and how Jenny Pitman used Golden Freeze and her son-in-law to wreck Carvills Hill (never raced again), until the day she retired I wanted everything she saddled beaten and yes I know what she did that day was within the rules.
Seem to remember her aledgedly slapping Jamie Osbourne one day after he dismounted, totally obnoxious woman.Yes; I felt the same about Jenny Pitman at the time. What was more unfortunate was that I once found myslef queuing with her for the ladies loo at Uttoxeter and felt as if I had a big sign on my head saying ‘I hate you’.
Never ever thought someone would put up Dessie
How could you watch his Gold Cup and not will him to win?.
I wanted Dessie beaten also…although im a shamed of that now. I think there are a few reasons. Firstly he was English in an era when the rivalry with Ireland was intense and we were not doing so well. I just didnt want the old enemies champion to be doing well.
Secondly i think the contrarian in me just wanted to go against the masses. Hard to explain now but i really liked the rogue that was vodkatini. In hindsight, i really miss Dessie now. He did a lot for racing and he was true hero hauling all that weight around.
Generally I still like to see pampered horses getting beaten. I couldnt warm to Best Mate or his connections proclamations as better than Arkle. Although I could see what they were trying to do, and they did allow him to run in a lexus when things were less than ideal, the fact remains that he was kind of the opposite of a Denman and I just felt he cheapened the gold cup. A criticism I could never level at Kauto Star.
I also go a little mental when flat horses are protected in a way that can allow them to retire undefeated. When I see a 3 year old I know is heading for the shed avoiding a real challenge, I pray for defeat.
Occasionally i want a horse to get beaten just because i didnt rate it and i want to validate myself. I imagine this is quite a common reason for a lot of people to down a horse…..i see it on this forum all the time. Overall i think I am maturing past it now.
SHL
The rivalry between England and Ireland, especially at Cheltenham, is what sets me on fire. I’ll be quite frank and say that I hate it when Ireland get a real superstar or two … which explains why I’m dead set on The New One on lowering the colours of Faugheen
I’m well aware that Faugheen is something special and that Mr Mullins’ stranglehold on Chelters is gonna choke many of our English challengers but I need to see Faugheen get hammered
Think it’s more about connections rather than a horse you want beaten. Plenty of times I’d "rather" someone else won; but as far as I can remember never had an actual dislike to go as far as describing it as a "want".
Desert Orchid stories reminded me of something:
When it comes to the horse itself I’ve only "wanted" a horse to win for the horse’s sake. Mainly genuine and consistent fighters. If a horse i’ve backed is in a ding dong battle with one of my favourites that I have not backed – been known to change aliegences half way up the run-in to shout home the unbacked horse. First time it happened was whenbacking Panto Prince
in the Victor Chandler: "Go on Panto! Go on Brenden"! As the winning post neared turned to "Go on Dessie! Go on Dessie"! Punching the air as the grey passed the post first.
So I guess in a convoluted way, the answer to the question is: Any horse running against one of my favourites.
Value Is EverythingThe rivalry between England and Ireland, especially at Cheltenham, is what sets me on fire. I’ll be quite frank and say that I hate it when Ireland get a real superstar or two … which explains why I’m dead set on The New One on lowering
the colours of Faugheen I’m well aware that Faugheen is something special and that Mr Mullins’ stranglehold on Chelters is gonna choke many of our English challengers but I need to see Faugheen get hammered
Ah, ya see I thought it was just us
Well Im glad you shared this with us. Ill know where to go for some serious Trolling.
SHL
I have found GMOOH getting touched off at previous Chelt Festivals amusing considering the way he has been campaigned.
In similar vein, I will be delighted if Lord Windamere fails miserably in this years Gold Cup.
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