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When I began my post by saying that I didn’t mean to be rude, that wasn’t just a platitude, I really didn’t.
Two things worried me – one, as I think Cormack alluded to, that your obvious inexperience in matters horsey means that you could find yourself taken for a bit of a ride, and two, I think that there are far too many owners coming into the game with no real idea of either horses or the sport, something which usually ends up with tears before bedtime, as well as double the number of horses being bred (and the concomitant number of dross meetings staged) that there should be.
When I began my post by saying that I didn’t mean to be rude, that wasn’t just a platitude, I really didn’t.
Two things worried me – one, as I think Cormack alluded to, that your obvious inexperience in matters horsey means that you could find yourself taken for a bit of a ride, and two, I think that there are far too many owners coming into the game with no real idea of either horses or the sport, something which usually ends up with tears before bedtime, as well as double the number of horses being bred (and the concomitant number of dross meetings staged) that there should be.
If only experts on conformation who had passed an exam on esoteric racing terms were allowed to be owners then I doubt many of the country’s biggest supporters of racing would be bankrolling the sport we all love.
As the comments above have implied, the term is open to a number of interpretations which is why I posed the question in the first place. I had thought that it could mean anything from she is a leggy filly to she is very fit. It could even have meant that she covers a lot of ground with her stride. I don’t believe you have given your own opinion of the meaning of the term but I’m keen to hear it if you consider yourself experienced in ‘matters horsey’
My own personal association with racing is that I was a keen racegoer for over 20 years before becoming an owner. In that time I reached the stage where I could spot a ‘good sort’ and could turn a steady but unexciting profit from punting.
Without any experience of ownership we made sure we carried out some research. Before selecting a trainer we spoke to friends who were already owners and good judges of both horses and trainers. Mark Brisbourne was recommended to us and we visited him to discuss our requirements. We felt his approach met our requirements well and he has never once let us down.
I don’t believe our lack of experience in matters horsey therefore precluded us making an informed decision.
It is true that we rely on Mark’s judgment (he has bought all the horses we have owned) but far from being taken for a bit of a ride we have not only enjoyed the thrill of seeing our horses run but were the proud owners of the winningmost horse in training last year.
There are many areas of life where I consider myself inexperienced. I know almost nothing about cars, for example. Does that mean I shouldn’t buy one? Of course not. It merely means that I am required to do my homework in advance and rely on the opinions of those I trust if I am spending my hard-earned on a new car.
I’m afraid your belief that racing should be some sort of club where membership should be restricted to people who are ‘one of us’ is the sort of attitude that had left racing in its current parlous financial state. Racing needs the likes of people such as Paul Dixon although I’m sure his lack of ‘horsey’ credentials appals you. What racing doesn’t need is to be run by those who could spot a bone spavin at twenty paces but couldn’t organize the proverbial in a brewery.
Tuffers, mate enjoy your filly and have fun with her. Mark Brisburn is a good man who knows horses and does not get the animals he deserves.
You will find that loads of people will give you opinions on the horse and some of it will be good and some of it will be rubbish. For what it’s worth another word that could be used is "unfurnished" but that’s nothing time can’t put right. The confrimation problem might be aleviated by corrective shoeing but your trainer will advise you on this.
Remember that if she does not make it on the track there are loads of things she can do in the horse world (forgive me for this bit, but i is something that I feel strongly about).. Horses are wonderful creatures that’s why I follow the sport not for betting.
short coupled and a bit raw but still growing no doubt
My best performing horse was short coupled but developed some length over time. I was told by an experienced horse breeder to get rid of him when he was young! He has just turned five SHT (august) and now won 100k.
Turned in can cause problems, but my favorite horse "Northerly" winner of two Cox Plates and $ 9+ million was turned in badly.
The most expensive horse I ever owned a share in was a magnificent looking thoroughbred and correct in every way. He was not fast enough on the track!!!
You cannot buy the fight in a horse, that belongs to the individual, and that is why I love racing.
My tip – go for a big rear end, that has no doubt been the best guide for me.
Cheers and good luck.
PS your horse looks well bodied from the picture.
Tuffers, Air under her was your subject question.
I would tend to ignore any negative feedback.Most owners in my experience have the money to waste and just do it for fun. Most have a share offered to them by friends, associates or trainers they trust in. No need to be an expert if you have one to seek advise from.
Some like me don’t have the money to waste but do it for the love of the sport, you only live once so enjoy life while you can.
We do our home work to the best of our ability and need plenty of luck.
There will allways be people that take advantage of others in all walks of life but that is human nature and not restricted to racing.Cheers
Thanks for the positive comments. She runs at Newbury on Thursday. Even though the race has divided it still looks pretty hot so she will be there very much for the experience. All being well she will be handicapped by the end of the year and we can have some fun with her next year.
PS We asked Mark what he meant and he said he just meant she was big!
Good luck with her, Tuffers (and congratulations on such a sensible, polite and well-argued response – never mind owning horses, I think they need you at the BHA!).
Good luck with her, Tuffers (and congratulations on such a sensible, polite and well-argued response – never mind owning horses, I think they need you at the BHA!).
Thanks, Sal. We’re looking forward to seeing how she measures up to some of the blue blooded runners in the race on Thursday. If sales prices are anything to go by she should be tailed off last so we shall be delighted if she can be at all competitive.
What is her name Tuffers?
Who is her sire?
Has she had any trials?
Excuse my ignorance but not familiar with UK practices.
Exciting time for you, I get very nervous with the first few starts myself.Cheers
PeterWhat is her name Tuffers?
Who is her sire?
Has she had any trials?
Excuse my ignorance but not familiar with UK practices.
Exciting time for you, I get very nervous with the first few starts myself.Cheers
PeterHi Peter
Her name is Feet of Fury. She’s by Deportivo out of Fury Dance who’s sire was Cryptoclearance. On breeding (and looks to my inexperienced eye) she should be a sprinter so Thursday may be too far for her. We don’t have trials over here although she has had a trip to Wolverhampton after racing.
If you’re in Oz then look out for Elopement who won 6 races for us last year. She’s now in training with David Lee Freedman.
Tuffers
Lee is one of the best in the business, you can be sure he will get as much out of your horse as any Oz trainer. Will look out for Elopement and watch with interest for Feet Of Fury (great name) on her debut.
By Night shift
Even though deportivo was a speedster your filly has strong stamina through Fury Dance, and she has a sex balanced cross to Nijinsky II.
I would think she has an excellent chance of getting some ground and if she has a touch of speed from Deportivo could well be a good sort.Good luck
PeterWhat is her name Tuffers?
Who is her sire?
Has she had any trials?
Excuse my ignorance but not familiar with UK practices.
Exciting time for you, I get very nervous with the first few starts myself.Cheers
PeterHi Peter
Her name is Feet of Fury. She’s by Deportivo out of Fury Dance who’s sire was Cryptoclearance. On breeding (and looks to my inexperienced eye) she should be a sprinter so Thursday may be too far for her. We don’t have trials over here although she has had a trip to Wolverhampton after racing.
If you’re in Oz then look out for Elopement who won 6 races for us last year. She’s now in training with David Lee Freedman.
Tuffers
Feet of Fury?….you gotta be pulling my chain
My advice…sell your share or whatever part of her you own and move on. She won’t be winning anything trust me…lotta air under her? Pre excuse talk ……..needs time comes next……..lotsa bills to pay…will be lucky to stand up to racing.
Poor Tuffers!
There you were thinking of sharing your new aquisition with the folks on TRF and this is what you get. Hope she does you proud.Feet of Fury?….you gotta be pulling my chain
My advice…sell your share or whatever part of her you own and move on. She won’t be winning anything trust me…lotta air under her? Pre excuse talk ……..needs time comes next……..lotsa bills to pay…will be lucky to stand up to racing.
We named her before I encountered you on this forum
Fist – I’m as cynical as anyone when it comes to the sort of excuses that trainers make before a race and jockeys make after one. I’ll keep putting my faith in Mark’s opinion though as he hasn’t let us down so far.
You might be right about her chances of winning a race and then again you might not. Half the enjoyment of ownership is the anticipation. She won’t win on Thursday that’s for sure or even maybe on her next two runs but once she’s handicapped we’ll have a bit of fun with her. If she turns out to be no good she’ll be found a good home (like all the horses we have owned) and we’ll move on.
When you’re spending no more than 7,000G a pop you don’t have high expectations but our first four horses cost us a total of 17,800G to buy and we sold them for an aggregate of 29,100G. In the meantime we had some fun.
We probably won’t get rich but then isn’t that what the day job is for?
Feet of Fury?….you gotta be pulling my chain
My advice…sell your share or whatever part of her you own and move on. She won’t be winning anything trust me…lotta air under her? Pre excuse talk ……..needs time comes next……..lotsa bills to pay…will be lucky to stand up to racing.
We named her before I encountered you on this forum
Fist – I’m as cynical as anyone when it comes to the sort of excuses that trainers make before a race and jockeys make after one. I’ll keep putting my faith in Mark’s opinion though as he hasn’t let us down so far.
You might be right about her chances of winning a race and then again you might not. Half the enjoyment of ownership is the anticipation. She won’t win on Thursday that’s for sure or even maybe on her next two runs but once she’s handicapped we’ll have a bit of fun with her. If she turns out to be no good she’ll be found a good home (like all the horses we have owned) and we’ll move on.
When you’re spending no more than 7,000G a pop you don’t have high expectations but our first four horses cost us a total of 17,800G to buy and we sold them for an aggregate of 29,100G. In the meantime we had some fun.
We probably won’t get rich but then isn’t that what the day job is for?
I hope you are not offended but you know me I call a spade a spade. For me she won’t grow much more and looks a bit weak behind but that’s only my opinion and Sea Buscuit was no oil painting, so one never knows.
I admire your attitude and you are at least in there trying. Racing needs all the owners it can get and if you are working wihthin your budget and having fun then good on you. You never know there could be a Soba waiting round the corner.
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