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Why? Because they’ve left the xenophobia and parochialism where it belongs and sold their product to the world.
refusing to Kow Tow to everything the US demands is not Xenophobia nor parochialism, it is standing up to arrogant bullying.
Anyway as much as they like to think they are – America is not the world.
Some may view what Hong Kong has done as being innovative others may view it as prostituting its product.
Churchill Downs put a lot of money into last night, money that benefits UK racing and got some marketing in return. That’s arrogant bullying?
A successful international sporting product is only successful because it prostitutes itself?
Add paranoid to xenophobic and parochial
‘Love Galore is rank on the outside’ – the only thing rank in that race was the drift and subsequent performance of Love Galore’s stablemate Luberon.
Thought the commentary was a bit strange – I have never heard a horse described as being rank before. Believe me, it means something very different where I come from!
But if we can in any way get American punters interested in betting on British racing it must be a good thing – in 10 years’ time our bookies will be even less interested than they are now and overseas money may keep the sport going.
And if it meant sectional timing etc being readily available that too would be a good thing.
But no British racecourse has a club house!Good posts, Cav and Mulls – think we’re all singing from the same rootin’ tootin’, cotton pickin’, slap-a-ma-thigh hymnsheet on this one.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
Why? Because they’ve left the xenophobia and parochialism where it belongs and sold their product to the world.
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Why does everything have to be "global" now? What is so wrong with just being interested in your own country?
Is it some sort of 21st century crime?
Cue howls of "racist". Thats the norm these days, thats the modern trend if you don’t embrace everything non British.
But if we can in any way get American punters interested in betting on British racing it must be a good thing – in 10 years’ time our bookies will be even less interested than they are now and overseas money may keep the sport going.
The only racing American’s are interested in is on artificial ovals if you are suggesting that is the way we should go in this country then I will pack up now and find another sport to follow.
There would be no American interest in our turf racing.
Ian’s post above is absolutely spot on.
But no British racecourse has a club house!
Ironically Kempton does!!!
I really do not understand the hostility here towards American Racing.
From a racecalling standpoint, I may refer to the home stretch, but that’s pretty self explanatory and hardly a slap in the face to the traditions of British racing!
Dare I suggest stereotypes and misconceptions of Americans and America in general may be at the root of some of this prejudice?
I refuse to pepper my calls with Englishisms or Americanisms, but try to use a language that will be understood by most of my listeners. How another caller works that angle is up to him.
Just as American race fns want certain stats, so do British Race Fans. But to say racing in other countries is prostituting itself by supplying US style racecards for the audience in the USA is no better than the religious idiots here who believe the catholic church is the whore of babylon, black people have the mark of Cain and if you don’t believe in Jesus you are going to hell.
Its exactly the same ignorance and xenophobia!
Craig
Will you all stop hijacking my thread? I’m trying to have a perfectly serious analysis of Alan Partridge soundalikes and you come along here with your global racing issues…
You people.
Mike
Will you all stop hijacking my thread? I’m trying to have a perfectly serious analysis of Alan Partridge soundalikes and you come along here with your global racing issues…
You people.
Mike
I am telling you, its a sign of the apocalypse, you better be right with Jesus!!!
Craig
I really do not understand the hostility here towards American Racing.
Perhaps that is because you are too close to it Craig – after all you are not going to criticise your employer publicly are you?
My personal ambivalance to American racing is it is boring, all much of a muchness with little or no atmosphere at the courses. And yes I have been racing in the States so I am talking from experience.
From a racecalling standpoint, I may refer to the home stretch, but that’s pretty self explanatory and hardly a slap in the face to the traditions of British racing!
Correct me if I am wrong but you are employed to call races on an American track, to an American audience – therefore "the traditions of British racing" are irrelevant in your job
Dare I suggest stereotypes and misconceptions of Americans and America in general may be at the root of some of this prejudice?
You may suggest whatever you like and I obviously cannot speak for others but my observations are based on experience, not prejudice or misconceptions.
I refuse to pepper my calls with Englishisms or Americanisms, but try to use a language that will be understood by most of my listeners. How another caller works that angle is up to him.
That is your personal style and there will be some who like it and others who don’t – no problem with that.
Similarly commentators over here have differing styles and most listeners have their own personal preferences, likes and dislikes.
One of my personal dislikes is showboating and last nights commentary was a prime example of Mr Johnson trying to sycophantically ingratiate himself with his new employers at Churchill Downs, to the detriment of the audience he was being paid by Racetech to serve.
I really do not understand the hostility here towards American Racing.
A lack of obstacles of any description is more than enough reason for me.
And on that bombshell………(just for you, Michael
)………..Hi Paul!
You make some good remarks, if I can be allowed to address them:
1. I don’t think criticizing my employers is the same as criticizing American Racing. I agree with you the sameness of much of the racing is a downside, but its the nature of the beast, here. As far as atmosphere at courses goes it depends where you go. There is no doubt there are many large facilities which were once regularly crowded and now seem deserted. At the track I worked at last summer we had 2-3000 on weekends and there was a great atmosphere. But it was also a small complex, get that number at Churchill and it will look very sparse indeed.
2. Actually, at least the image of British Racing (by dint of being British) is probably part of the appeal of hiring me as the Announcer. Albeit, I am expected to of course conform to my core audience. But that doesn’t mean I am going to develop a twang and start speaking with an American accent.
3. American Racing could learn a lot from British Racing, no question.
4. I didn’t listen to Mark so can’t comment. I do know Churchill is a very corporate/politically minded organization and they expect the kind of thing Mark is doing. Whether Americans take to him as the caller there, only time will tell. From a selfish viewpoint, it has to help my job prospects if he does well there.
Craig
Hi Craig
Very fair points.
I must make sure next time I am over the pond it coincides with a big meet.
Don’t you dare get a twang!!!
Regards
PS please don’t think I am anti-America or Americans – I generally like both.
I just wish they were not so insular though!!!
At least with a new Government there is hope of a more "inclusive" foreign policy – but I won’t hold my breath though.
I’ve been at Southwell when Johnno has given it his full Stateside patois. He didn’t just turn on the charm for the first time last night. He even said "they’re at the gate" at the sandpit last year which is the first, and only, time that particular phrase as ever been heard anywhere near Newark. One local had to be revived afterward.
I love the fella. Best of luck, Johnno. Great post Cav, btw.
Americaphobes ought to spin over to ATR any time in the next hour and listen to the commentator at Hawthorne. You’d soon change your tune – it’s like listening to the reincarnation of Al Capone. I’d love to hear him commentate on the Wood Ditton.
Sorry but I don’t think we should be pandering to American sensibilities at all.
The Grand National in a fortnights time is being beamed around the world -are we seriously expecting Richard Hoiles, Mark Johnson and Stewart Machin to slip some Japanese, French or Italian comments into their calls?
Quite so.
Why do so many people in this country like to pretend to be Americans?
)………..
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