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That’s what Mick Fitzgerald just said. ‘Tistory has such honest ears’ he opined.
Honest ears. Who’d have thought.
I’m not currently in possession of stats regarding the strike-rate of aurally scrupulous horses as opposed to those who’s ears maybe…well, a touch fraudulant, but I know which one’s I’d rather be backing.
He knows stuff does Mick Fitzgerald.
Mike
Well, when people are only interested in betting…..some people watch racing because they love horses. Period.
Horses can indicate their honesty or lack by there ears; the man isn’t mad. The hon George Lambton in his book "Men & Horses I have known" describes rogues as having "pony ears & prick ears".
Other trainers such as Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker warn of curly ears & many trainers look for big ears as a sign of an honest horse. Lop ears are often a sign of a good battler, you don’t see many lop eared racehorses these days.The hon George Lambton in his book "Men & Horses I have known" describes rogues as having "pony ears & prick ears".
The men or the horses?
Mike
The hon George Lambton in his book "Men & Horses I have known" describes rogues as having "pony ears & prick ears".
The men or the horses?
Mike
Hear! Hear!
In case anybody is wondering what "honest ears" look like, here is a photo I took of Tistory clearing the final flight this evening.
http://www.ors-racing.co.uk/Images/General/Towcester130524TistorySmall.jpg
and here’s a close up
http://www.ors-racing.co.uk/Images/General/Towcester130524TistoryCloseUp.jpg
Fitz is a good man,IMO. He’s probably got honest ears himself. Maybe paul has a close up?
Lovely shots Paul.
I would describe the ears displayed in the first picture as ‘wonky’. The second lot I would describe as, erm,’ears’.
I’m not really getting this am I?
Mike
What percentage of horses are we talking about here with these "honest ears"?
Trust me though, Mick Fitz isn’t as daft as he looks and he could have a point here, have you seen Eddie Ahern’s ears? They’re all small, scrawny and pointed.
Trying to think of horses with notably large or small ears.
Large: Taranis, Kauto Star, Sprinter Sacre
Small: Binocular, Ouninpohja, Rooster Booster
Although it is quite likely that I am backfitting this unintentionally, it is interesting that all three small-eared characters were notoriously ungenuine (O, RB) or inconsistent (B).
Trying to think of horses with notably large or small ears.
Large: Taranis, Kauto Star, Sprinter Sacre
Small: Binocular, Ouninpohja, Rooster Booster
Although it is quite likely that I am backfitting this unintentionally, it is interesting that all three small-eared characters were notoriously ungenuine (O, RB) or inconsistent (B).
Good point. Gary Lineker was incredibly consistent.
Mike
I have gigantic, somewhat wonky ears cast from the same mould as Alexander Armstrong’s
http://i1.cdnds.net/10/34/television_main_library_alexander_armstrong_pointless_bbc.jpg
And yes we are both effortlessly upper-class, dress impeccably, snog the mirror every morning, are a little too sure of ourselves and have never had a proper job…but very, very honest
I can’t speak for Alexander but I don’t finish with ears pricked
It is commonly said amongst horsey people that a horse with big hears is honest and genuine. So what Fitz said makes perfect sense. It is an anthropomorphism, probably based on the fact that horses with big ears have a slightly goofy, friendly look about them. But us horsey people never claim to act with pure logic!
If you’ve ever watched a mule race you might disagree that large ears = "honest"
http://weather.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/ … a_mule.jpgI don’t really follow those old wives tales anyway!! My old horse had massive ears and he was a dodgy *******!!
Rooster Booster was "ungenuine"? I don’t think thats an opinion widely held is it?
I’m with Betlarge – load of drivel surely.
Rooster Booster was "ungenuine"? I don’t think thats an opinion widely held is it?
Really? I know he was very popular, but
not
for his largely-absent battling qualities. Being an older, GREY former handicapper turned champion with a funny name was his big draw. It is hard to think of a horse weaker in a finish or more easily out-battled than Rooster Booster. His tally of second places tells the story.
His limp hoisting of the white flag to Self Defense in the AFGA Hurdle was probably the lowest point for his attitude. Richard Johnson even tried to make the running on Rooster Booster for a few races to blast some sense into him!
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