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A bit disappointed to hear this I am, Nathan, but thanks aplenty for the news anyway. Like I said, you just can’t win ’em all, eh……..
”Ah well, never mind……You can’t win ’em all, old son!” is what they used to say to me a long….long time ago……
I say bring back our old friend Ricky Lake….
Now there’s a guy who is guaranteed able to liven up this place a bit!…… Come back……All is forgiven……
An absolutely fabulous finish to the world’s greatest 2-mile flat race. Two brave horses and two marvellous jockeys engaged in a ding-dong battle throughout the final 300 metres – nip and tuck, neck and neck, head to head, nose to nose.
Very impressive riding from one of my two all-time favourite flat jockeys, Kerrin McEvoy, who never resorted to the whip in the final 100 metres but simply out-rode the ‘Magic Man’ with his hands and heels, nudging and propelling his mount forward. Even more impressive, perhaps, was the way Joao Moreira congratulated his rival the moment they crossed the line, after a protracted struggle. Such respect, chivalry and sporting comradeship! Smashing effort from both guys.
Btw, the other great all-time favourite of mine is none other than the famed ‘Kentucky Kid’ himself.
I’ve noticed quite a few horses currently in training in the UK who bear the same or very similar names as former well known horses of the past four or five decades. In the past week alone, two winners in particular of minor races have caught my eye – Grand Canyon and Popsies Joy. A blast from the past, I thought. For their more illustrious counterparts, Grand Canyon was a grand ‘chaser of the late 1970’s who famously won the Colonial Cup in the States in 1978; and Popsi’s Joy – albeit spelt slightly differently but sound the same – was a popular staying handicapper on the level who won the Cesarewitch in 1980, with a certain L Piggott, no less, on board.
The first UK import I came across who plied his trade in HK was (I think) the former inmate of John Dunlop’s, Shining Finish, whilst on holiday there in the early eighties. As I recall, he was given a Chinese name which was loosely translated as ‘Brilliant Victory’ or ‘Famous Victory’. Quite a good translation, I thought at the time. Well, I do remember wondering way back then what’d happened to that horse, whom I liked following back in the UK. Small world and all that!
And, of course, there was no Google to google, back then……….. Sprinter Sacre – What a horse!
Nicky Henderson – What a trainer!
Nico de Boinville – What a jock!!
Absolutely fabulous!
“Different Gravey – does exactly what it says on the packet!”
Now that’s what I call Wit !!
Fantastic.
You must be correct with your answer there, Charles Olney, although I believe Saeed Bin Suroor was an actual serving policeman in UAE before he became a racehorse trainer.
Like you, I can’t remember any details of the Royal Ascot winner in the 1980’s either but something right at the back of my mind tells me there was a winner back then with police connections.
I can only concur with all the points made by fellow posters above.
Right now, at the time of writing, John Jenkins seems to be enjoying a fairly good run with the few runners he has on the AW Flat, and he is showing a healthy level stakes profit over the last couple of weeks, as is the case with his NH Flat and AW Flat runners for the past 12 months. His runners are definitely worth a second look at the moment, particularly at Lingfield and Southwell. Seemingly Mr Jenkins has his string in pretty rude health as we speak! Strike while the iron’s hot is my motto.
Another trainer whose runners are worth a second look is Malcolm Jefferson, imo. But only NH, mind! (particularly at Sedgefield). Definitely not Flat Turf, though.
Indeed, while I’m asking, is anybody reading this post “non-white”?
Yeah, Hong Kong Chinese born and bred. Far too westernised for my own good now, but still very fond of the Orient as I am of this country.
As it happens, about half the time these days I find myself assisting family in their tiny catering business outlet, which quite literally is a little more than a stone’s throw from Redcar racecourse. Even so, the number of times I have visited the course for the racing over the years can be counted on one hand, primarily for reason of disapproval of my better half, sadly :-(. Besides, I’m usually far too busy preparing, serving and/or delivering fry-ups to some hapless locals all around the racecourse! Only kidding really….
…. but those who frequent the shop do seem to like our food, fortunately.Nowadays I don’t even go in the bookies’ any more, preferring to watch the racing on TV or my laptop, in my own time. One can see and learn more, in a way, watching it on TV, I feel.
One lovely spring day, just a few years ago, I made a point of attending the races at Redcar, knowing Alistair Down had been enticed to pay his inaugural visit there. Rather surprisingly, I found myself to be the only person who bothered to look on, by the railings paddock-side, while Mr Down was being interviewed on RUK the whole time! Mr Down, if you happen to be reading this post, you may recall a casually dressed and rather ‘nosey’ Chinaman glancing on, while pretending to be studying the racing pages of his favourite tabloid at the same time.
However, there is one other popular attraction at Redcar racecourse throughout the summer months, and that is the Sunday car-boot market. Now to this, my family have absolutely no objection whatsoever! In fact, it is warmly welcomed. Indeed, they themselves can be found there every single week, without fail! Being a bit of a DIY nut myself, I love scouring the stalls for cheap tools and the like. But….psst!….there’s an even better and far bigger car-booty at Sedgefield racecourse! Lovely place (been there once for the racing, btw). So we sometimes call on both the venues, one after the other, on the same day! With me being the permanently-booked chauffeur, for my missus and the in-laws, of course!
Happy days.
By the way, come to think of it now, I can’t say I noticed any other non-white race-goer being present on the few occasions I was at Redcar races; and the one time I was at Sedgefield races, I did get some curious but thankfully warm, friendly and welcoming glances from the staff and other patrons. But then, I was so preoccupied with the horses, racing and form studying, none of this even crossed my mind at all, at the time.
Jim
Hi, just popped in, for once in a blue moon.
Interesting to read Triptych Jac’s comments re never having been a fan of AP McCoy. Think I’ve seen this comment several times from the good lady on this forum before. Wonder why.
Me, I was a big fan of AP, though not in the latter half of his career I must admit, but rather very early on, in the mid-1990’s when he started riding in England as a 20-year-old conditional, I think. This was before everyone had cottoned onto his talents.
In those days I used to spend many a lunch break from work in the local bookies (sandwich in one hand and tabloid racing pages in the other), where in winter I enjoyed watching a few early jump races. Having witnessed a couple of AP’s wins (at juicy prices) I checked the race-cards and thought to myself, “Who’s this young lad AP McCoy? Where’s he sprung from? He can ride a bit, can’t he?” Thereafter I followed him almost religiously and had a fair bit of fun with my minimum-staked patents and lucky 15’s etc incorporating his mounts, as AP would invariably bag a winner or two at least, at fair odds, on a regular basis. Those were the days.
Having said that, I haven’t seen the film but may catch up on it later.
Btw, Marmite on Toast?? Naah! not for me. Wholemeal’s fine, toasted and buttered, with a generous layer of orange marmalade on top and a pot of PG, white, no sugar – any morning.
Jim
………………..the Bangalore Removal Company thread was swiftly removed………………..
Aww, what a shame! And here’s me thinking I might have the identity of the OP of the removed thread sussed out. Was about to make a post to reveal my thoughts too……….Damn, damn!
Ah well, never mind……….
Yes, very sad to learn the demise of one of my many favourites in this game.
R.I.P. Old boy.
PS – Excellent opening post!
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>stevecaution wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>homersimpson wrote:</div>
Could this be the first “Colour” winner for me in the Derby
The last one Golden Wonder in 1982 was a little before my betting time. In fact I don’t think I’ve ever backed the Derby winner. Plenty of seconds though.Golden Fleece won the Derby in 1982.
Golden Wonder’s crisps were fine and their nuts were said to be “Jungle Fresh” but their horse didn’t win the Derby in 82.
Oops
Don’t know where that came from Wasn’t there a hurdler called Golden Wonder? Jenny Pitman, perhaps?
So Drone is absolutely right in his evaluation, then. No surprise there, the master.
Hard luck, you guys who own the reluctant beast. May you have much better luck in your next venture/ acquisition!
I know what to do. Why not give Doctor Dolittle a call? He will surely talk a bit of sense into that beast of yours!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061584/
Sorry, but I just couldn’t resist it.
And, of course, there was no Google to google, back then……….. 
The last one Golden Wonder in 1982 was a little before my betting time. In fact I don’t think I’ve ever backed the Derby winner. Plenty of seconds though.
Don’t know where that came from 