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Sad news breaking that journalist Paul Haigh passed away yesterday evening. He was 76 years old.
When I first got into racing in a serious way in the early 80s he wrote for Pacemaker magazine and I would turn to his column first when each new edition came out. His frequent columns for the Racing Post would be equally eagerly sought out.
He did post for a while (although you can never be completely sure…) on TRF under the guise of ‘Zorro’. He had a sharp blade and advised me on the dangers of having one’s thigh stroked.
RIP Paul/Zorro
David (cormack15)
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That is quite sad. 76 isn’t a bad innings though RIP Zorro – and I’m pretty sure that our Zorro was Paul. Ian can maybe confirm?
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He stopped posting on here when he went to work in Hong Kong. IIRC
I am sorry to hear this news.
A very fine writer who actually had an impact on my own pursuits. I believe it was on here during some conversation where he told me that the only person one should write for is oneself, as anything else would be fraudulent. Though the exchange was very brief, it is something that has stuck with me to this very day.
Death is a peculiar concept as while his body is no longer carrying him, his legacy through his actions, no matter how seemingly inconsequential and forgettable, lives on in many others. He definitely played a small role in shaping who I am, and I severely doubt that this is an isolated example. As such, I am very grateful for his appearance during this all too brief plane of existence.
Sincerest condolences to his loved ones.
I am pretty sure Paul Haigh was Zorro, Tank.
As I said on Twitter, I didn’t know him well, but he was that rare thing in racing journalism, a writer whose politics were an ill-fit with the industry he wrote about, but it didn’t stop him rising to the top.
He was a man with his heart in the right place.
I wonder what Paul would have made of the Racing Post in the last 48 hours giving multi-billionaire Bet365 Founder Denise Coates a big pat on the back for paying her taxes?
Plus ca change?
Paul’s resignation letter: https://t.co/RjFSm0SeNN
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Paul Haigh.
I enjoyed his articles.
He took the Rancing post on and won. How? He walked away from them with his head held high and stated his reasons most eloquently.
An exceptionally good Journalist with a love for the sport.TANK SAYS That is quite sad. 76 isn’t a bad innings though RIP Zorro – and I’m pretty sure that our Zorro was Paul. Ian can maybe confirm?
76 Isn’t really old nowadays, my late dad was 76 and died with cancer. I think he thought 76 was too young.
The best things in life are free.
But you can give them to the birds and bees.- Total Posts 2553
I looked for the ‘Zorro’ thread in the vaults earlier but it seems to have been wiped. It was an entertaining thread that had hundreds of posts. Didn’t stay down in the vaults for too long though, the dead bodies and dust disturbed me – and even more disturbing was the sight of gamble down there dressed only in his underpants- the ones with a hole in them- bending over and probably looking for the same thread as I.
age is just a number
I’m 40 and my Son is 14 yet you wouldn’t realise who was the adult..
RIP Zorro
Blackbeard to conquer the World
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Rummy, most people think they’ve been cheated. I’d think of 76 as a triumph- aiming for 70 myself and would be quite happy with that.
This thread is in danger of going off track, but just about staying on the lines at the minute and I’d like to think that PH would be having a chuckle reading it
He sounded like a great character David and exceptional racing journalist, I wasn’t reading the RP then but do have some old Pacemaker magazines given to me by a friend so will look him up.
Condolences to all his family.
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...I certainly do not think Zorro would have thought 76 would have represented a good innings and cricket was his favourite sport. But yes some think like Tank that 76 is a good age to get to and that’s fair enough, but I was shocked at his relative youth.
My father was 91 when he died and easily had another 5 years in him. He should have been rushed to hospital for a life saving operation but the visiting locum told me to give him a piece of toast and put him to bed (he died early in the morning).
My mother was refused an operation ( postcode lottery) – Sussex health was found to have caused nearly 1000 unecessary deaths a few years back and was condemned in a report. My mother was 86 when she died and had another 10 years – she felt cheated and so did I. The NHS can work effectively but they took years off both my parents.As for Zorro I read his Q&A thread again and its a very good read and he punches his points home far above his weight. I think our Jilly seemed quite taken with him with a request that he might pm her.
Paul was an excellent writer and will be long remembered for the sharpness of his pen and his subtlety and humour and above all his strong character and truth to himself. R I P
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Well done Nathan – will have a good read of that later
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Seems like gamble was on the wrong track, but will check out the Q and A thread as well.
Cormack went a bit OTT with the Q and A if memory serves- they weren’t spread out enough.
The one answer that springs to mind was from the Barry Dennis one – In reply to Matron he said- Oh I love nurses
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