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The idea of ‘Then and Now’ is to compare racing in 2020 against the sport as it was in 1990. I propose to write a piece each week throughout the year, contrasting the basics such as the fixture list, the racing program, the finances etc – but also indulging in some nostalgia and reminiscence. Hopefully each piece will lead to discussion and and the memories of other posters.
I chose 1990 as being far enough back to be quite obviously different, but also within the lifetime of (I hope) the majority on TRF. It also falls within the era recorded on the Racing Post database to provide results, meaning that I’m not entirely dependent on my memory and my diary and Timeform books for accurate factual information.
In order to avoid the thread growing too large and to make reference back to earlier posts a little easier, I’ll split this up into twelve monthly sections. I plan to post the first January piece on Tuesday.
AP
Looking forward to it as well. As it happens, 1990 was the first year I followed racing seriously, so I should be able to remember the events that will be mentioned.
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Sounds interesting
I’m looking forward to this. I went to my first race meeting in 91 so should bring back some good memories.
1990 Then and Now
David Elsworth had runners in both the Epsom Derby and Cheltenham Gold Cup that year. Cant be too many other trainers with that claim to fame from any era I’d imagine.
Cav,
And the previous year, 1989, he’d spanned the full range of distance by training the Grand National winner (Rhyme N Reason) and the King’s Stand winner (Indian Ridge).
A remarkable man, whose name will certainly appear more than once in these threads in the months ahead.
David Elsworth had runners in both the Epsom Derby and Cheltenham Gold Cup that year. Cant be too many other trainers with that claim to fame from any era I’d imagine
I hope Luke Corner isn’t reading this.
David Elsworth had runners in both the Epsom Derby and Cheltenham Gold Cup that year. Cant be too many other trainers with that claim to fame from any era I’d imagine.
Must get half a point for
2018 Irish Gold Cup – Edwulf & 2018 Irish Derby – Latrobe
Both won as well
But, almost nothing more famous than Galileo (British and Irish Derby) and Istabraq (Irish Champion Hurdle, but no Festival that year) both in 2001 and both trained by the same man.
We may as well get the O’brien treble up Ruby. Thank God for Wikipedia
1953 Vincent O’brien
Irish Derby – Chamier
Gold Cup – Knock Hard
Grand National – Early MistOne of the big differences between then and now is that in 1990 you were able to watch a day’s jumps racing without any contests being turned into flat races.
Taunton the latest course to run these farcical races with no jumps in them.
I thought we were talking 90s onwards. Races or meetings we were able to attend live, not something that happened in ancient Rome.
Probably a better chance of viewing racing close up in 1990 than now partially compensated for by the prevalence of big screens now (I know which I’d prefer).
A better spread of horses then with fewer big stables with mega sized strings dominating.
Bad memories (or my suspect memory anyway)of 1990 include Cheltenham and Aintree being run on jarring quick ground which is unlikely now
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