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Nice to see the old boy having a rest from racing for a while. Im all for horses running if they are winning frequently or occasionally and enjoying it, but the tactics with Lough Derg do puzzle me, it’s like he is entered into a race just for the sake of it.
Taken into the lead, blistering pace away from the pack, yet to fall away late in the race, with no hope of winning.
Be nice to see him having the Summer off, with a view to coming back in training in the Winter of 2010.
I agree, he’s been run every weekend and not enjoying the same success it did last season. I read a piece from Pond House that if the horse box arrives and he’s not loaded on it he kicks up a stink and sulks.
Still appears to have the same appetite at the off but is getting too easily headed down the back straight so maybe its time to give Lough Dergh a prolonged break.
I must admit I wasn’t too concerned about Lough Derg’s form this season. He ran a good race behind Big Buck’s at Newbury and ran an excellent race behind Mamlook at Ascot. However, his runs since then were poor. Admittedly these runs were at Sandown, Haydock and Cheltenham (not his favourite venues) but I did expect that he’d run better at Fontwell.
I think there’s also a belief that because he needs to be hard driven throughout a race that in no circumstances should he be pulled-up as he ‘stays-on.’ It’s a shame that and I wouldn’t like to see him tailed-off on a regular basis.
…….it’s like he is entered into a race just for the sake of it.
Perhaps given his earlier exploits they needed to do something to bring him down slightly in the weights, do you think? It seemed quite obvious after that gallant second place and watching him tire in the latter stages of the subsequent performance that he’d visited the well once too often for this season and was a safe omission from any further betting selections.…….it’s like he is entered into a race just for the sake of it.
Perhaps given his earlier exploits they needed to do something to bring him down slightly in the weights, do you think?It seemed quite obvious after that gallant second place and watching him tire in the latter stages of the subsequent performance that he’d visited the well once too often for this season and was a safe omission from any further betting selections.
Hi Ken.
I have never backed the horse, so i am talking purely from a horse welfare point of view. No i am not getting on a high horse about horse welfare, but Lough Derg just seems to be ridden into the ground.
Surely the race on Sunday was a race he’d won the previous 2 years so it’s clearly a course and distance that suits. As has been said, he has run a couple of decent races this year, so he is not completely shot yet. Maybe a lonmger break in between races is whats needed, who knows, but in a season where Our Vic, Monet’s Garden and War of Attrition have all won, it’s hard to say horses should be retired off at 10 or 11.
Yes, Nick, but those horses have been campaigned fairly sparingly, compared to Lough Derg.
Runs since 31st October –
Lough Derg – 9
Our Vic – 6
In those races Our Vic ran out once, so didn’t really get going and have a hard race. Has won twice out of those 6 starts and came 6th in the Paddy Power.
Lough Derg however, 4th, 5th, 2nd, Fell, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 5th, 5th.
Yes, GWDS, I share similar concerns about welfare when observing tired horses battling on, especially when they’re of an age when it prompts fear in me that their hearts are under tremendous strain. I suppose for anyone not sharing an affinity with horses then it might be easier for them to remain detached from such worries.
Yes, GWDS, I share similar concerns about welfare when observing tired horses battling on, especially when they’re of an age when it prompts fear in me that their hearts are under tremendous strain. I suppose for anyone not sharing an affinity with horses then it might be easier for them to remain detached from such worries.
Yes, true.
I am a horse owner, of ex racehorses, and i guess i am seeing it from a ‘care’ perspective. Definitely not talking out of my pocket, as like i say, i don’t ever recall having backed Lough Derg.
Where did this news about a Summer rest come from? I must admit I’m very relieved. It was worrying seeing him tire so much on Sunday and disturbing that he wasn’t pulled up when it was obvious he wasn’t happy. Yes, he must still enjoy his racing, but every horse has their limits.
If any horse deserves a happy retirement one day it’s Lough Derg, so I hope they let him live that long.Where did this news about a Summer rest come from?
I found out today he has a Facebook fan page on which his ghostwriter says: " I did not enjoy the ground at Fontwell and after caryying about so much weight all season my owner and trainer have decided that I need a rest. Also I have been turned out in the lovely paddocks at David’s yard and am really enjoying the sun we’ve had. Enjoy your summer my friends – and hopefully I’ll be back next season."
!
i was soo glad to hear this, ever weekened when i saw his name down on a racecard, i kept thinking the horse needs a break
Here’s another Lough Derg meassage… What a top horse
"Please find enclosed a cheque for £10,000 for the IJF.
Lough Derg, on whose behalf the donation is made,
asked me to say that he really appreciates the time
and effort spent on him by jockeys, work riders and
the rest of the stable staff, but realises that sudden
accidents do happen, with tragic consequences.
Just as he hopes to make it to old age and be well
looked after, he hopes that this donation goes a tiny
way to helping those involved in racing who have been
unfortunate and need extra help and care.
Lough Derg London SW7 3AR"……….£10,000 for the IJF.
Lough Derg, on whose behalf the donation is made…..Right! That’s it! I’m finished with this betting malarkey….when it gets to the stage where it’s quite obvious that Lough Derg has been laying himself to lose races then what hope is there for the likes of you and me to ever win a few bob at this game?
How else could a horse accumulate so much money without it being involved in some sort of fiddle? I’ve a good mind to report him to the BHA.
I bet you there must be loads of horses pulling up on purpose just to line their own pockets. Have they no consideration for us poor punters? It’s cruelty beyond belief and I think we need to make a stand!
Disgruntled,
Tunbridge Wells.
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