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That’s not strictly true, Cormack, as on Jan 16, 2020 (“Where’s Old Ginger Spice” thread) he stated “The Princess Latifa thread was the reason I started my holiday from TRF…”, so there is a direct causal link to his self-imposed exile (though opinions may differ from mine as to whether his absence has deprived members of anything!)
One of the most insightful pieces I have come across in relation to this (well worth the read) –
Greg Wood’s latest piece in The Guardian is the only example that I have come across of a racing journalist prepared to write about this – chapeau! Its content, however, provides confirmation of the collective within-industry wish to ‘turn the blind eye’ – and of the responses of those within the industry to journalists who do start asking the right questions.
But for how long can the industry persist with such a response? Debate about racing and horse welfare (viz. the recent A Life Well Lived report) is now framed in terms of a social licence. It focuses attention on the integrity of the sport with respect to the welfare of the horse. With this judgement the integrity spotlight is turned firmly to racing’s capacity and willingness to govern its human participants, and to the standards that the rest of society recognises as appropriate. For economic reasons racing might want to turn the blind eye. The key question may yet be can it afford to socially?
Can confirm my exile was entirely self-imposed, although had everything to do with my original thread being moved. This subject subsequently left me lacking enthusiasm for TRF – and to a degree Horse Racing itself.
Couldn’t (still don’t) see any reason why we could not have had a debate back in October in this HORSE RACING section; about whether Sheikh Mo should be “welcomed” with open arms by HORSE RACING (both by authorities and public alike). ie Not even necessarily banned/found unfit.
Whatever the case then… Glad Cormack now believes the court judgement makes this subject/Paul’s thread a relevent “Horse Racing“ debate.
However far more importantly:
Pleased with the court judgement and hope there’s a change – at least to how Sheikh Mo is “welcomed”. If shunned by the sport he enjoys so much it adds to pressure.. and maybe alter his attitude towards family.Free-ee Prin-cess La-ti-fa!
Thanks
Value Is Everything.
The downside of losing the Sheiks support is that it will never affect him as much as it might, the industry, stable staff etc. Those people have kids to feeds and its easier to take a moral stand against somebody when you have nothing to lose.I think the primary stand here should come from the UK Government and should be done through diplomacy.
SHL
Of course the “primary stand here should come from the UK Government” SHL, diplomacey is good.
But we (Racing) should not turn a blind eye either.Yes, it will hurt British Racing and people may well lose their jobs. But should the fit and proper rules only apply to some?
That’s imo asking for even more trouble.
How many horses would you suggest an owner should need in order for the fit and proper rules to be void?
Why should small owners need higher standards?Value Is EverythingThe downside of losing the Sheiks support is that it will never affect him as much as it might, the industry, stable staff etc. Those people have kids to feeds and its easier to take a moral stand against somebody when you have nothing to lose.
As a stable staff, I can assure you that the expulsion of Mr Mo would affect neither myself nor 99% of all stable staff one iota. Those who work for Charlie Appleby or SbS will be able to walk into a new job the very next day. They would be very employable in an industry crying out for good workers and most wouldn’t even have to move house. Same can be said of the breeding interests.
Please do not use myself, my peers or my profession as a justification to appease this repugnant “man”.
I’ve tried not to join this thread but hey everyone allowed an opinion , he won’t get thrown out , he has too much influence for that to happen , sadly this is a sad reminder of how unfair and wrong the world is much of the time , it’s the prince Andrew situation ….to much clout therefore they don’t have to be accountable for there actions …
What a sad indictment for British racing that we have become so dependant on Saudi money. Coolmore may be a giant operation that wins an awful lot but they are a well run organisation. I’m surprised anybody is surprised about the sheiks family as it’s been common knowledge for years. Let’s see if any the racing community stand up and be counted. Self interest in sure will win the day. A lot of folk need to have a good look in the mirror.
I do feel for those whose livelihood depends on the Saudis. As has been said it’s easier to take the moral high ground when it doesn’t affect you. Football fans have long since turned a blind eye to where the billions comes from that buys all the top players. Morals only come into it when it’s someone else’s club. I’d like to see a phased withdrawal by the saudis so others can come in. I’m sure there are a few out there willing to invest but the battle between coolmore and godolphin has driven prices way out of most people’s reach.
The BBC are going heavy on this story today. Been the lead story on both The World at One and PM on Radio 4; also prominent on their website.
May be the BBC making this headline news will make “Racing” think about using their fit and proper person rule on all owners. Suspect it’ll remain under the Axminster though.
Value Is EverythingShe comes across as pretty lucid in that video and not like a mentally ill person who needs to be locked up for ever “for her own good”. Is her sister Shamsa still alive, does anyone know? It’ll be 20 years this year since she was abducted from an English street by her father’s henchman and bundled into a plane.
They are rather inconvenient chattels for Mo to own. I wouldn’t be surprised if they both inexplicably suffer “fatal heart attacks” or “tragically take their own lives” (if suicide isn’t considered shameful) – unobserved till safely dead of course and with a tame pathologist with a big brown envelope in his back pocket performing the autopsies.
I would say there is about as much chance of Sheikh Mohammed being thrown out of racing as there is of Roman Abramovich being thrown out of football.
Our once supposedly “Great” Britain unconditionally welcomes money nowadays and never asks any questions about the morality of either those supplying it or the devices by which it was obtained.
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