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I actually knew that Frankie was Italian and Fallon Irish.
In which case if you knew Fallon is Irish then why did you say he was representing Britain?
Plus why did you say "That Frankie is not as British as Kieren" when neither are British?
Just ashame there was no room for some of the great Continental/French riders like Barzalona.Also no room for any of the best English jockeys;Buick,Moore, Hannigan.Fallon is hardly a flag bearer for GB and I.Hughesie,Murtagh,Spencer more popular.
Jockey selection is based on availability – if jockeys like Buick, Moore and Hannigan are required elsewhere by dint of their retainers then they do not ride in the Shergar Cup, simple as – which is why the "domestic" teams are not finalised until a few days before.
Fallon is representing Britain but he like Frankie was not born there.Anyone born and raised in Ireland grew up in a country rules by Britain for five hundred years so is more British than anyone born and raised in Italy(whether they like it or not).If I said what you said I said that is why I said it.
I used to despise the Shergar Cup but it is now one of my favourite race meetings.
You will have to forgive me, but that line sounds like it could be used to introduce oneself to a group therapy session, in similar vein to "My name is Joe and I am an alcoholic"
Cue the applause, group hug and then the discussion about how your problem started. Other members will tell of how they found themselves starting to enjoy Matt Chapman and the little Italian guy from the Ladbrokes adverts. Belissimo, fantastico….
Remember, Step 1 is admitting you have a problem
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
Other members will tell of how they found themselves starting to enjoy Matt Chapman
This sounds like a step too far, although I will defer a final judgement on enjoyment of Matt Chapman to Phil Walker, who started the thread about Matt Chapman Commentating at Lingfield … Just No.
Having scored a significant but unexpected victory in getting Matt booted off the roster as a racecourse commentator, can we now safely enjoy his other appearances?
I agree that it is good that Ascot’s much-criticised Shergar Cup day has survived the critics and is becoming more widely accepted in some spheres. The intention has always been admirable and a few of the teething problems have been solved.
Terrestrial TV coverage has enjoyed mixed fortunes but it will be interesting to see how Channel 4 handle the day after the BBC’s efforts.
Dear old Mike Vince will no doubt get another outing as the racecourse commentator on Shergar Cup day, in what has become a benefit for him. He has become Ascot’s racecourse commentator of choice for this and other events, even though he was given the boot from the official roster some time ago.
I seem to remember he was praised for his efforts last year and is in demand as a raceday presenter at Ascot and at other courses such as Market Rasen, where he does interviews in the winner’s circle.I don’t have a problem with the event, a bit of variety does no harm and the early start is welcome.
Of course the colours are a joke and I’m puzzled why they don’t have 12 runners in each race and thus give each jockey a ride in every race. I’ve heard it said that they have only 10 in each race to cater for the possibility of illness or injury, is that really necessary?
Dear old Mike Vince will no doubt get another outing as the racecourse commentator on Shergar Cup day, in what has become a benefit for him. He has become Ascot’s racecourse commentator of choice for this and other events, even though he was given the boot from the official roster some time ago.
One third of the trio of 2003 departures, along with Johnnie Turner and Kel Mansfield.
I seem to remember he was praised for his efforts last year and is in demand as a raceday presenter at Ascot and at other courses such as Market Rasen, where he does interviews in the winner’s circle.
I think he had to scale that down a bit when he fell quite ill over a year ago. Steven Powell was on duty when I last went to Market Rasen in person 10 months ago, though I didn’t think to ask whether he was a permanent or temporary replacement – seemed indelicate to do so at that precise moment.
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.
I don’t have a problem with the event, a bit of variety does no harm and the early start is welcome.
Of course the colours are a joke and I’m puzzled why they don’t have 12 runners in each race and thus give each jockey a ride in every race. I’ve heard it said that they have only 10 in each race to cater for the possibility of illness or injury, is that really necessary?
Cost could also be a factor – bearing in mind there is prize money for all those who do run, on top of no entry fees, plus saddles cloth payments for the televised races. You would need an extra dozen horses, assuming they still have the two reserves in each race.
In addition it gives each rider a break and the riders, when they have their race "break" are then available for interviews and the like.
Plus there is also the point you made that if a rider is unable to take a ride there is effectively a reserve rider available.
I wholeheartedly agree about the colours, although they are now slightly better than they were the first year they had team colours – it didn’t help it was poor weather that day but it was impossible to differentiate the colours through bins, especially on the round course. I don’t see why they could not use three distinct shades of each team colour and / or more distinctive caps.
I know Mike gets quite nervous beforehand and last year Richard, who was doing the ATR / Betting shop commentary, said it took him a couple of races to get used to the colours.
Wouldnt it be great if it wasnt the Shergar Cup but part of the Olympics?
This week we have seen medals won for Show Jumping, Three Day Eventing and Dressage both teams and individuals. Why not horse racing? Olympic horse racing would be SOOOOOO exciting.
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
I am not quite so negative as I was with the Shergar Cup. It does bring in crowds and interest from the non-racing public. However, there’s been cases in the past where the best (favourites) from a team are hold up horses, needing a strongly run race to be effective. The outsider from the team is also best held up for a late run… Yet sacrificed by making a good pace out front, for the sake of the "team", ie a "non-trier".
What is the point of "team Captains" etc, if team tactics are not issued? Normally it is possible to look through a race and make an informed decision who is likely to lead, race prominently, track pace, race mid-div, held up or dropped out. Therefore, who is likely to be suited by the way a race is run. It is difficult to bet in the Shergar Cup without confidence.
Having said that, there are other racecards on Saturday to bet in. I may not like rge Shergar Cup, but if it brings in the money… so be it.
Value Is EverythingWhat a load of rubbish , every horse race should be contested so that all horses try to win , clearly in a team event this is not the case
each year the apologists trot out the old chestnut ,,,it brings new racegoers along , each year the same hacks try to defend it ,
does it heck
scrap it
avoid it
imo
Ricky
Ricky and Ginge – perhaps you would like to explain what the incentive is for a rider to ride team tactics to help "the team" as opposed ride for the best position for him/her self?
The prize structure is designed to reward the rider who performs best individually – there is no personal prize – apart from "bragging rights" for winning the team competition.
I personally don’t bet in the Shergar Cup but that has nothing to do with team tactics but more to do with the inability of many of the overseas riders to judge how to ride a race at Ascot.
Do you also think top owners and trainers would continue to support the meeting if their runners were being "sacrificed"?
Wouldnt it be great if it wasnt the Shergar Cup but part of the Olympics?
This week we have seen medals won for Show Jumping, Three Day Eventing and Dressage both teams and individuals. Why not horse racing? Olympic horse racing would be SOOOOOO exciting.
Absolutely and definitely no. One of the criteria for new sports to be included into the Olympics is integrity. Horse racing would never be able to satisfy that requirement.
Paul , do all owners get an appearance fee for their horses …and if yes , does that not settle the argument
anyway the thing is , lots of folks like it and support it , so good for them , if it was my decision I would scrap it , its useless
end of
Ricky
Paul , do all owners get an appearance fee for their horses …and if yes , does that not settle the argument
Ricky
There is prize money for all ten runners with no entry fees and connections of the reserves receive £500 to cover travel expenses – however I don’t think that level of payment would be a major factor for the top stables.
Wouldnt it be great if it wasnt the Shergar Cup but part of the Olympics?
This week we have seen medals won for Show Jumping, Three Day Eventing and Dressage both teams and individuals. Why not horse racing? Olympic horse racing would be SOOOOOO exciting.
Nah, judged on this Olympics people would presume the Australian horses were blatant non-triers.
Mike
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