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An antidote to that other thread.
You can mention as many as you like-
For me –
Henry Cecil – obvious choice but becoming a great elder statesman for the sport, universally popular and took lots of time during his Cheltenham visit for photos/autographs, etc. A real star.
Paul Hanagan – Having seen him in action quite frequently at Northern tracks he is not only a great jockey, he is extremely amiable and self-effacing and is another who is a great ambassador for racing. We are lucky to have him as Champion.
UK + Eire Commentators – We all have our favourites but, as a group, the UK and Irish commentators are outstanding. Accurate and professional in a job where they walk a tightrope every race.
Nick Luck – getting better all the time.
Greg Wood and Lydia Hislop – unafraid to tackle head-on the difficult issues, particularly those that place them at odds with the ‘establishment’.
There must be LOADS more.
Agree totally David re Henry Cecil – a gentleman and a master.
Why not start a campaign on here to push for his knighthood ?
How can we do this ?
One of the greatest trainers in history in my viewAn antidote to that other thread.
UK + Eire Commentators – We all have our favourites but, as a group, the UK and Irish commentators are outstanding. Accurate and professional in a job where they walk a tightrope every race.
Have you never heard Des Scahill – useless, as is ‘Aussie’ Jim McGrath since he lost the plot
Scahill misses a hell of alot in races but I like his commentary when I’ve got nothing riding on it!
The other side of the coin, one who gets criticised but I’m a big fan of…
Derek Thompson. He adds a bit of colour to some of the lower grade fayre. The last time I heard him was on a Southwell evening jumps meeting & the whole card was worth peanuts but it was peanuts enjoyable to watch.
All the jockeys who even at the top of the profession still turn up at lesser tracks to ride no mark horses.
Jonathan Sheppard. His record speaks for itself http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Sheppard but besides being the greatest American (after 50 years in the US he’s ours) steeplechase trainer of all time and among the best on the flat, he has started the careers of many other trainers, owners and jockeys. Races clean, gives his horses turnout and a European-style training regimen, and does right by his retirees.
Richard Hoiles for me. A very accurate commentator and often gets a few witty lines in aswell. The fact that such a fuss was made when he momentarily called the wrong horse in the Victoria Cup speaks volumes about his usual level of accuracy. Also his attempts to apologise on course and online was a nice touch and way beyond what was necessary. Seems like a good bloke.
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The nameless heroes of the
stalls-handling teams
, who do an extraordinarily skilful and intelligent job, day in day out, whatever the weather, for little reward, in the face of considerable personal danger.
If we are talking unsung heroes then the cameramen and women who bring us the pictures every day – especially those on the "cherry pickers" exposed to the wind and rain.
There is no money in the world that would get me up on one of those.
Sheikh Mohammed.
On a global level, no one does more to promote the sport of Horse Racing.
Stable staff – up at all hours; travelling all over the country at evenings and weekends; almost without exception they dote on their horses and give them a superb level of care.
Jim (ex Timeform) McGrath, Steve Mellish, Graham Cunningham, Eddie Freemantle. Lydia Hislop.
Ricard Hoiles and Simon Holt, Lee McKenzie (under-rated).
Henry Cecil, Sir Micheal Stoute, Sir Mark Prescott, David O’mera (brilliant young trainer), Tom Dascombe, Willie Haggas, Andrew Balding.
Paul Nicholls, Lawney Hill, Jonathon Sheppard, Emma Lavelle.
AP McCoy, Ruby Walsh, Barry Gerraghty (best three NH jockeys ever).
Frankie Dettori, Harry Bentley (very promising 5lb conditional).
Value Is EverythingNot having the "luxury" of ATR/RUK, the commentators who grace my screen include Emma Spencer. She’s not got a mention yet from the old hands – please don’t say why, unless it’s just an oversight!
Emma Spencer – personable, informed and easy on the eye.
The jockeys’ skivvies ( er, sorry… valets ) and under paid stable staff.
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