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For longevity , different sport but still racing Destreous a pacer retired about five or six years ago in OZ , 488 starts for 103 wins , 78 of them at Albion Park. They are more like greyhounds in that they can back up for weeks on end . Bit different than flogging round three miles plus over jumps .
Grand Military and Royal Artillary meeting races always had some old ones , in 84 i went to Grand Military , Grand Canyon from NZ via USA raced in it , he had been off track for few years and according to racebook that i still have amoungst hundreds of others , he was residing at the Household Cavalry barracks .
Also riding earlier in the card was Davy Jones .
I think i was there for Du Pluvinal win as looking at result i think i backed Roscoe Harvey in 2nd . Will look when i get time .160 odd runs , thats some effort . I remember another Jimmy going round the same time , Jimmy Chips he was called , no where near thd level of JM .
Mac Vidi was just before my time but have heard of him
The two old battlers i remember from just after that period were Jimmy Miff and Du Pluvinal who went round in the Military races at Sandown .Well done to Henderson for fronting up , it did seem v odd . Go Fund me refunds must be going out I’d guess .
In Australia they are getting a handle of the ex racers issue in NSW and Victoria , a big lump out of prize money per race is into the fund for aftercare , as prize money is huge in NSW and Victoria the deductions are well worthwhile . It’s not perfect and the ones in the outback probably bit dicey after racing .
I think the UK are probably a fair way behind retirement schemes sadly . Australia were forced into sorting themselves out after bad publicity .My gut feeling is within hours this will be sorted by racing , but if this happens to a Champion you’d have to be a bit worried for the ones out the back on a cold Monday in winter . Puts a bit of doubt to the we love our horses bit , is it we love our winning racehorses when they are racing ??
But he is not just another horse , like some syndicate horse sacked after few runs out the back and owners all unaccountable . He’s a dead set Champion , lauded now for his feats in the past . He wasn’t just dropped off and truck driven away . They would have researched the retirement home , left provisions , contact numbers for emergencies . This Go fund me thing seems very odd in this case .
I assume the horse appears from time to time at races and events ?? . The new owner had no contacts at all in racing before Go Fund me to contact and say hey the number one champion 2 miler of past 20 years in sick give us a hand , blimey is that not odd in the extreme .I have a read , whats the combined worth of those connections , it really shouldnt have to go to go fund me page . Ive heard of tight but thats extreme those guys dont front up asap , honestly it dont get to 5k they going to put him down ??? .
He won 1.1 mill , if Hendo , Ex Owners , ex riders dont get together and fund this asap the money and days out that horse gave them its a stain on their character , FFS 1.1 mill in bank for them , shouldnt even have to ask anyone .
Totally agree Marlingford , the wastage rate of burnt out 2 year olds from factory stables being rammed round in OZ for the Golden Slipper etc would be many times Hendersons .
The best course of action now for Hendo is
1) talk up Lalumba
2) Run him at Southwell on AW in CH race
3) Suppliment him for Champion Hurdle
4) Talk about entering him in Ascot Gold Cup
Its the obvious answer .He sent two to Fakenham , added a bit of interest to the card , got beaten , thats racing . Willie Mullins is a dead set genius who gives it a go everywhere . I like to see the guy win and win he will big time at Cheltenham .
As for Patrick , if he is not paid to ride he isnt a pro so not sure the big deal .Very sad tale , I think the poor horse was clearly not going to make it as a racehorse after 2 runs , 300 to 1 in that field is all you need to know . A sad ending .
Its high risk for racing , something happens to him in CH the heat will be unreal on all concerned , horse that cannot jump warms up for jump race on flat as he is so dangerous then runs in biggest hurdle of year .
If i hear them say pre race ” we just want him home safe ” , they will be losing a grip of reality .It is the madest thing ive seen in racing and ive followed the sport daily for well over 40 years .Prepping a kamakazi deathtrap of a racehorse on all weather at Southwell ,BHA needs heads read allowing entry off back of that . Madness .
Three in a meeting , on back of multiple at Leopardstown . Is there a point where a fan says enough ? , each person has own point i suppose , i still follow the jumps out of old habits , used to love point to points , gping jumps racing but tbh if it was gone id be over it pretty quick and wouldnt make too much of an effort to go anymore , iam at the tipping point , still got a toe in interest wise .
