The value of outriders

[Miss Woodford]

The clip https://twitter.com/gregoryahall/status/1665442597618307074
To quote the chart from yesterday’s 6th race at Churchill Downs: “SON OF THUNDER bumped with an outer rival before clipping that one’s heels and losing his rider at the eleven sixteenths pole, then was caught by an out rider in the gallop out and walked off. WINGER got bumped between horses before clipping heels with his inner counterpart and losing his rider at the eleven sixteenths pole, then was simultaneously caught by the same out rider as his loose comrade in the gallop out and walked off.”
Credit to outrider Greg Blasi and his very handy track pony Ricky for the nice catch.

How would such an incident be handled in the UK, where there are no outriders? Do you just have to wait for loose horses to find their way off the course after the race? Do people run after them on foot? Both options seem more dangerous than having people on horseback ready to grab them before they wreak more havoc.

[IanDavies]

In the UK everyone loses the will to live the instant any horse gets loose because it might well be dark by the time it’s caught.

We don’t have decent root beer either – it’s a double whammy.

Hope that helps.

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"

[Cork All Star]

We have Hayley Moore instead:

[greenasgrass]

“How would such an incident be handled in the UK, where there are no outriders? Do you just have to wait for loose horses to find their way off the course after the race”

Loose horses are of course a common occurrence in NH racing in GB and Ireland, if they haven’t scuttled off back to the stables the still- mounted jockeys usually catch them up as everyone is pulling up at the end.

Or you can just shift them about during the race if necessary:

Or just stop them becoming a loose horse in the first place:

[IanDavies]

“We have Hayley Moore instead:”

Brilliant.

I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"

[BigG]

Holy sh*t, just watched the Hayley Moore clip. Whether or not it was
a bit crazy, she sure doesn’t lack courage. I wouldn’t be taking home
a burst pay packet to her on a Friday night (ignore that last sentence
if you are under 60)

[Cork All Star]

I believe search terms such as “Is Hayley Moore married” trended on social media afterwards.

But to answer Miss Woodford’s question: I am not convinced outriders would be effective on British and Irish racecourses. Unlike America (where it looks to me like all the tracks are flat, left handed ovals) British and Irish tracks come in a variety of shapes and sizes and terrain. I am not sure having outriders would be particularly helpful.

Having said that, it is frustrating when a race is delayed by a horse getting loose. Perhaps there could be a trial of outriders at the likes of Southwell and Wolverhampton – the two tracks most like American circuits.

One track where there does appear to be something akin to an outrider is Fakenham. There is always someone in a hunting outfit sitting on a horse in the corner of the circuit just after the finishing line. I have never seen him or her catch a loose horse but on one occasion I did see one run up to the outrider’s horse rather than head out onto another circuit.

[IanDavies]

I’ve seen the clip before, but it’s nevertheless a welcome reminder she’s a magnificent lady on every conceivable level.

Getting back on topic, is it simply that the USA is a better funded system and can afford outriders but UK racing can’t?

I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"

[Nathan Hughes]

Hayley even stops to take time to pose for a photo with her favourite fan

Charles Darwin to conquer the World

[IanDavies]

Resplendent in yellow, there, Nathan.

I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"

[Mike007]

Hayley Moore is boring. Her voice sends me to sleep. If I ever suffer from insomnia in the future I’ll make a Hayley Moore recording and listen to that. Who needs pills? :o)

[IanDavies]

Fair enough, Mike.

If you, me and Ms Moore are ever shipwrecked on a desert island I’m willing to make the ultimate sacrifice and keep her company the other side of the island from you, sparing you the tedium and freeing you up to thieve ante-post prices – I’m all heart like that.

Mind you, who is going to spare the lady the boredom of talking to me?

I wonder if Hob Nobs and Beverley’s Distance Post are talking points of interest to her?

Feel sorry for her, feel very sorry for her.

I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"

[Richard88]

‘I believe search terms such as “Is Hayley Moore married” trended on social media afterwards.’

What are these people thinking? Were they planning on turning up at her house with a diamond ring if the answer was no? It’s a not uncommon autocomplete suggestion for a lot of celebrity names, male and female. Bizarre.

[IanDavies]

And this despite Mike’s best valiant attempts to get “Is Hayley Moore boring?” trending instead.

I guess the best thing about remote matrimonial intent from afar towards the utterly unattainable is it’s free.

And who doesn’t love a freebie?

I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"

[Nathan Hughes]

Should try listening to Robert Cooper for 5 seconds if you want an instant nap.
his name comes up in the dictionary after the word Boring

Charles Darwin to conquer the World

[BigG]

I can’t help it, I’ve got a soft spot for Robert Cooper. I find him
mildly amusing. There, I’ve said it.

[Cork All Star]

If this was a subject on “Just a Minute”, I think we would all have been challenged for deviation from the subject!

[Author]

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