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Do think Mike is right right, "genius" is a very over-used word, and that the horses are the true stars in this game…
There’s nothing wrong with having an opinion…
But he’s wrong, Sir Henry
was a genius
.
Value Is EverythingGreat post Joni ….the thread was a bad error of judgement on Betlarge’s behalf , up to now I thought he knew a lot better , sadly he has shown this to be wide of the mark
Blimey, It’s just like that day when they announced Take That were splitting up.
Of course, the threads are less concerned with Henry Cecil, rather more me railing against the ridiculous use of hyperbole in modern sport. Everyone is a ‘legend’, a ‘genius’, a ‘master’…etc
When I hear the word genius I tend to think of Galileo, Plato, Archimedes, Einstein, Newton etc etc, not bloody Tiger Woods and Gazza.
But
maybe there was
one person in racing who we could say at least approached genius status.
I think I should start a thread on him…
Mike
When I hear the word genius I tend to think of Galileo, Plato, Archimedes, Einstein, Newton etc etc,
not bloody Tiger Woods and Gazza.
Mike
Wow, you really did cover all the sporting bases . I dont think these two get compared often enough.
SHL
Wow, you really did cover all the sporting bases . I dont think these two get compared often enough.
Strange post
Obviously, I was just using those two as random examples of sportsman who the word ‘genius’ had been liberally applied to. I could name you a thousand others – from Aaron Finch to Zbigniew Boniek – but I don’t believe that would reinforce my point any stronger.
Mike
Well I suppose it all has to be prefaced with the words "in the field of……" Plato was a pretty amazing philosopher but I hear he was lousy in bed.
I actually agree that the word is used far too liberally. I can understand why it might have been used about Woods (not so much Gazza). He has broken numerous records, is the 2nd most successful golfer of all time in terms of majors and was so far ahead of his contemporaries for so long. Other modern day greats I would say Federer, possibly Messi, but I’d be struggling after that unless we start talking Darts and Snooker!
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
But
maybe there was
one person in racing who we could say at least approached genius status.
I think I should start a thread on him…
Admiral Rous?
Or did that Plato-of-the-Willow Don Bradman own racehorses?
Wow, you really did cover all the sporting bases . I dont think these two get compared often enough.
Strange post
Obviously, I was just using those two as random examples of sportsman who the word ‘genius’ had been liberally applied to. I could name you a thousand others – from Aaron Finch to Zbigniew Boniek – but I don’t believe that would reinforce my point any stronger.
Mike
Not strange at all. You have mentioned two names, one a groundbreaking trendsetter, a man of total commitment who has achieved amazing things. And then you say he should not be called a genius by throwing jimmy five bellies mate into the mix.
SHL
Wow, you really did cover all the sporting bases . I dont think these two get compared often enough.
Strange post
Obviously, I was just using those two as random examples of sportsman who the word ‘genius’ had been liberally applied to. I could name you a thousand others – from Aaron Finch to Zbigniew Boniek – but I don’t believe that would reinforce my point any stronger.
Mike
Not strange at all. You have mentioned two names, one a groundbreaking trendsetter, a man of total commitment who has achieved amazing things. And then you say he should not be called a genius by throwing jimmy five bellies mate into the mix.
Yes, but I’m absolutely not in any way comparing the two??
They were just two examples of sportsmen I picked who repeatedly had the moniker ‘genius’ attached to them. I may as well have said Michael Jordan and Alex Higgins – sadly, it could have been any other random pair from hundreds as the word is bandied about so liberally nowadays! Sorry, but I really don’t understand your point.
Incidentally, the single most incredible sporting performance I’ve ever seen
was
Tiger Woods winning the US Open in 2000 in very tough conditions by 15 shots. The world’s best were headed up by Els and Jimenez on +3 whilst Tiger finished on -12. Just ridiculous!
Mike
But
maybe there was
one person in racing who we could say at least approached genius status.
I think I should start a thread on him…
Admiral Rous?
Or did that Plato-of-the-Willow Don Bradman own racehorses?
Can you imagine a player that on average scored 47 runs more than Brian Lara and 46 runs more than Sachin in every single Test match innings? On uncovered pitches too. Scarcely believable.
Admiral Rous of course was a radical ageist-feminist as can be proven by the ludicrous lumps of weight 3yo fillies get in middle-distance races.
Mike
Talking of trainer form we have an interesting case study today in the 3.10 at Towcester.
2 horses quite close in the betting.
Horse 1 – Hurricane’s Girl trading at 6-4 and trained by Jonjo who in the last 14 days has had 1 winner but, for me more relevantly, 27 out of 30 runners running below what they had achieved last time out.
Horse 2 – Leaderofthedance trading at 11-4 and trained by Nicky Henderson who has had 5 winners and only 7 out of 16 horses under-performing lto.
So who do you play and who do you lay?
(I realise I am setting myself up for egg on face again but you can’t win anything if you never try!!!)
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
Well I suppose it all has to be prefaced with the words "in the field of……" Plato was a pretty amazing philosopher but I hear he was lousy in bed.
I actually agree that the word is used far too liberally. I can understand why it might have been used about Woods (not so much Gazza). He has broken numerous records, is the 2nd most successful golfer of all time in terms of majors and was so far ahead of his contemporaries for so long. Other modern day greats I would say Federer, possibly Messi,TAPK in the world of Ante-Post beting but I’d be struggling after that unless we start talking Darts and Snooker!
I suppose Genius is a word that would describe me Joni but only in my specialised field of horseracing.I know I’m not a Genius in bed a bit like ‘Plato’ but I can last 5 minutes if I have a tin of Ambrosia Rice Pudding for Tea.Some describe my work I do as my Dayjob as Genius but I believe anyone with a natural artistic flair for architecture and design could do just the same.I’ve heard you are a very good public speaker and having met you I’d agree,I can imagine when you are training your audiences to be articulate you use a lot of analogies surrounding Sir Henry and Frankel as ways of expressing confidence,I can see a couple of blank faces thinking what the **** mind.
If being borderline obsessive about an individual and their existence but being totally sincere with it is Genius then you too are one. I do like the word but it should be used in context. I think they’ll have to invent a new word to describe what YOU are Gord. "Genius" just doesn’t do you justice. And don’t put yourself down. A great tipster….yes. A great architect/designer….yes. A wonderful chubby Steve Cram lookalike….definitely.
My case study feel a bit flat as Jonjo’s fell. But he was never going to win.
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
I hope all those who don’t believe in trainer form are having fun backing Jonjo’s horses at the moment! An incredible losing run he is on.
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
I hope all those who don’t believe in trainer form are having fun backing Jonjo’s horses at the moment! An incredible losing run he is on.
He is indeed Joni and I dont think for one minute its intentional but those of us who can see the Wood from the Trees know that
Get me out of here
only needs to get to the Coral cup with a rating of 148 to finally win at the Festival,if he does the roof will be raised and when
Holywell
or
Shutthefrontdoor
win the Gold cup the roof will be blown off.Of course there’s
More of that
to shake the footings and
Taquin du Seuill
in the Ryanair to loosen the tiles too.Thats what its all about for me so Jonjo can plod on for now so long as alls well come March…..Of course there’s the Lexus first mind.
Was it me or did he have an unusually high number of summer/early season runners and winners? Perhaps he peaked them a bit too soon…..Would be interested in some theories as there doesn’t appear to be a virus.
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
I hope all those who don’t believe in trainer form are having fun backing Jonjo’s horses at the moment! An incredible losing run he is on.
He is indeed Joni and I dont think for one minute its intentional but those of us who can see the Wood from the Trees know that
Get me out of here
only needs to get to the Coral cup with a rating of 148 to finally win at the Festival,if he does the roof will be raised and when
Holywell
or
Shutthefrontdoor
win the Gold cup the roof will be blown off.Of course there’s
More of that
to shake the footings and
Taquin du Seuill
in the Ryanair to loosen the tiles too.Thats what its all about for me so Jonjo can plod on for now so long as alls well come March…..Of course there’s the Lexus first mind.
Shutthefrontdoor no longer in the Lexus Gord. Holywell is still entered alright.
I hope all those who don’t believe in trainer form are having fun backing Jonjo’s horses at the moment! An incredible losing run he is on.
He is indeed Joni and I dont think for one minute its intentional but those of us who can see the Wood from the Trees know that
Get me out of here
only needs to get to the Coral cup with a rating of 148 to finally win at the Festival,if he does the roof will be raised and when
Holywell
or
Shutthefrontdoor
win the Gold cup the roof will be blown off.Of course there’s
More of that
to shake the footings and
Taquin du Seuill
in the Ryanair to loosen the tiles too.Thats what its all about for me so Jonjo can plod on for now so long as alls well come March…..Of course there’s the Lexus first mind.
Gord, if Holywell or Shutthefrontdoor win the Gold Cup, I’ll show my ass at Midnight Mass
If being borderline obsessive about an individual and their existence but being totally sincere with it is Genius then you too are one. 
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