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Can’t stand the event but personally feel if the old C4 team were covering it: Derek Thompson, John McCririck and Mike Cattermole they would make it enjoyable viewing. Watching Lord Snooty going over the top about it on the Morning Line was embarrassing & cringing.
Yep, like it’s the Olympics of racing. It’s ******* nothing. Poor horses, poor concept, no-one in racing cares.
And how many of those newcomers will return
for the racing
..
None.
Yeah. I think that’s actually been scientifically proven.
It just bemuses me that for 364 days of the year I read that we need new initiatives, a reason for people to come racing, decent prizemoney, quality horses, good media coverage etc
Then on the one day this happens everyone turns their face upside down and scowls "Loada bloody rubbish".
Go figure.
Mike
Nobody is forced to tune in, Plenty of good racing at Haydock today.
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
I agree with Mike. No harm in it, you can ignore it for one day if it bothers you that much.
Its decent quality racing, and I personally get quite a bit of interest seeing the foreign jockeys and hearing their perspectives of British Racing.
I’ll let this one go and concentrate all my furious whinging on the Chelt Mares Hurdle getting Grade 1 status.
Pesronally not a great fan of it. It’s a nice day, going to be horrific tomorrow, so I’m out in the sun and watch a recording of the races later, without the crap and countless adverts.
But do agree with Mike that these things need to be tried. It’s been going on for a few years now, draws a decent crowd and the media coverage can only be good for racing. So thoise who go this aft have a good time and those who watch on the telly enjoy Gok Wan (if he’s on)
I totally agree with Betlarge and Peruvian Chief. I’ve been watching racing since a youngster and I enjoy the Shergar Cup just as I enjoy class racing. Not being a gambler at all really but I’ll have a small punt on the Shergar Cup races this afternoon just as I’ll have a small punt on the Derby or Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The Shergar Cup races are interesting because they contain, in my view, the ‘right’ number of runners and every horse has a fair chance. This makes win and e/w betting interesting. I mean, we don’t get 4 or 5 runner farces or races dominated by a long odds-on shot. Nor indeed do we get multi-dozen-runner cavalry charges which are near impossible to solve. Also, it’s great to see jockeys from around the world competing. It only adds to the interest. But one can ignore the team aspect of it and concentrate on individual horses and jockeys, just like any other type of races. What is wrong with that?
So I cannot believe the animosity and hostility some people show towards the once a year event.
The quality of horse competing in the Shergar Cup has certainly gone downhill since its initial meeting at Goodwood in 1999.
I think there is a place for it on the calendar and am happy to see it continue although I can’t get remotely excited about it.
What exasperates me the most about this year’s renewal is that it’s felt the female jockeys need a team of their own even though they are talented and qualified enough to be included in the other all-male teams. To add to this they are patronisingly called "The Girls". Cringe
My views reflect many of those expressed already. It piques literally zero interest in me but I don’t rue its existence. There are plenty of other flat weekends that I’ll be ignoring so it wouldn’t be doing the sport any harm. Plus, being a gimmick, it may attract new followers so let them eat cake…
Besides, there’s a decent card at Clairefontaine as well as Haydock.
What exasperates me the most about this year’s renewal is that it’s felt the female jockeys need a team of their own even though they are talented and qualified enough to be included in the other all-male teams. To add to this they are patronisingly called "The Girls". Cringe
I disagree. The way I see it, the female jockeys get (rather a than need) a team of their own because a) They are guaranteed a ride in each race b) They ride at the meeting without any sense that they are token members of the geographical teams and c) It demonstrates to the lay/casual observer that women are more than capable of competing against their male counterparts as equals on equal terms which can’t be said of any other sport.
If the team name irks you then the truth is, somebody will find a way to be offended by any team name. (The possible exceptions being the XXs, the Womyns or the ♀s)
We have this debate every year.
This afternoon, Ascot will host a big crowd with loads of newcomers to racing – particularly youngsters – enjoying a rare, or maybe first-time, day out at the races.
For
one
afternoon of
one
day in the year, racing tries something different, something original, that gets widespread positive media coverage. The response is typically overwhelmingly negative.
Shall I tell you what ‘real’ racing fans want? They want to moan like buggery about everything. It’s unbelievable.
Anyway, if you are going to Ascot, have a great time – everyone else there will be!
Mike
Quality post and I agree with every word.
We have this debate every year.
This afternoon, Ascot will host a big crowd with loads of newcomers to racing – particularly youngsters – enjoying a rare, or maybe first-time, day out at the races.
For
one
afternoon of
one
day in the year, racing tries something different, something original, that gets widespread positive media coverage. The response is typically overwhelmingly negative.
Shall I tell you what ‘real’ racing fans want? They want to moan like buggery about everything. It’s unbelievable.
Anyway, if you are going to Ascot, have a great time – everyone else there will be!
Mike
Quality post and I agree with every word.
Seconded.
The narrow-mindedness of the moaning tendency makes me despair of the future of the sport, and people wonder why racing doesn’t seem to be able to reach out to the big world beyond.
tbh I was once very much against the Shergar Cup, but what Mike says is perfectly true. This event is not really for any of us died-in-the-wool racing enthusiasts, but we have many other meetings to bet in, so can afford one Shergar Cup a year.
Might even be a good idea for a Kauto Cup over jumps? British V Irish V France V Girls.
Anything that brings newcomers to our sport (even if only a small number ever come back) is a good thing.
I do enjoy seeing top class jockeys from around the World riding here; not that I bet on the card.
It’s a great idea having a "girls" team. Of course they are good enough to ride in other teams, but it’s what the public – and in particular women/girls – want to see themselves. They like watching the girls beat the boys.
One aspect of the Shergar Cup I still have some doubts about is the "team" aspect. Every rider should give his/her own horse the best chance of winning a race. Remember in the past when horses were ridden in a completely opposite manner to which they are suited; going to/racing near the front. All because the team’s best chance of winning lies in a hold up horse needing a truly run race. ie One horse is sacrificed for the other. Rules of racing seemingly suspended for one card. I know pacemakers (anywhere) are a similar issue, but that’s for another thread…
However, although there are still "team captains" they are (apparently) in name only and have no input in to team tactics.
Still wonder if tactics are changed by one or two towards end of the meeting, when those with a good chance of winning the over all competition are known. but there seems far less altering of tactics these days and as long as participants are warned beforehand – they must be trying to winfor themselves
– I am (now) happy to see the event continue.
Value Is EverythingWe have this debate every year.
This afternoon, Ascot will host a big crowd with loads of newcomers to racing – particularly youngsters – enjoying a rare, or maybe first-time, day out at the races.
For
one
afternoon of
one
day in the year, racing tries something different, something original, that gets widespread positive media coverage. The response is typically overwhelmingly negative.
Shall I tell you what ‘real’ racing fans want? They want to moan like buggery about everything. It’s unbelievable.
Anyway, if you are going to Ascot, have a great time – everyone else there will be!
Mike
Quality post and I agree with every word.
Seconded.
The narrow-mindedness of the moaning tendency makes me despair of the future of the sport, and people wonder why racing doesn’t seem to be able to reach out to the big world beyond.
Unfortunately many so called ‘real’ racing fans don’t want racing to reach out to the wider world as shown by the comments on here and other threads. They want it to remain an elitist minority sport.
It might be worth pointing out that last year this event gave Ascot it’s biggest attendance outside the royal meeting, bigger even than Champions day as well as one of the biggest attendances at any racecourse. Yep, no ones interested are they ?
I’d be surprised if many of today’s riders really care about the team competition, GT. For the home-based jocks, it must be a case of grinning for the PR and pretending to give a monkeys when questioned by the over-hyped media. A Shergar Cup team medal or Silver Saddle is hardly going to take pride of place on their bulging mantelpieces.
For the international jocks, I’d venture that this is a great opportunity to showcase their skills on the international scene and further their careers. While retainers and the general novelty of it all probably won’t mean S’managa Khumalo is flooded with job offers if he rides well, he and his team get a chance to test themselves against the other riders and add something to their CVs.
This glorified mickey mouse event is just harmless bit of fun.
I didn’t get enthused in its inaugural year, and I’m even less enthused now.
I have never bet on any horse taking part in the Shergar Cup over the past 15 years, and I don’t intend to start now.
It’s a lottery.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
It’s a lottery.
Yes, but there’s a great big one of them every week and plenty take part…
Lets face it
Most serious racing fans ignore it ,and why not !!its rubbish plain and simple
However , its jammed with casual racegoers each year, they enjoy it , a jolly for the BHA boys ….most journalists give it an easy ride
so for those that love it , good on yer
For the rest , do as I do , ignore it and get over it , its only one piece of nonsense in the summer
Still wonder if tactics are changed by one or two towards end of the meeting, when those with a good chance of winning the over all competition are known. but there seems far less altering of tactics these days and as long as participants are warned beforehand – they must be trying to win
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