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I don’t watch much flat racing but did see some recent races which horrified me as the horses were squeezed for room trying to get so near to the running rails and actually hitting them.Also running so close to the horse in front at such speed…
Found this info: Among record-setting veterans in living memory, pride of place goes to Sonny Somers and Mac Vidi, who both made headlines in 1980.
Sonny Somers was an 18-year-old when he became the oldest horse to win over fences in Britain or Ireland by triumphing in minor 3m handicaps at Southwell and Lingfield in February 1980.
Trained by Fred Winter, Sonny Somers won 25 races over jumps and, although none was of great importance, he came second in the 1971 Cathcart Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
He was an ideal tutor to the stable’s young riders, including John Francome. At the time of his last two victories, this tough, versatile and popular old gentleman knew far more about the game than his 7lb-claiming partner, subsequent Grand National-winning jockey Ben de Haan.
Only a fortnight after Sonny Somers’s last win, 15-year-old Mac Vidi became the oldest horse to be placed in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The 66-1 shot finished third behindTied Cottage and Master Smudge and was promoted to second when TiedCottage was disqualified.
What a fantastic horse! Is he the oldest in training/running at the moment? I know Sonny Somers won aged 18 … Victory Gunner has an admirable record … all those completions (just the one fall in 2005!) and I hope he finishes his career in one piece … even if he doesn’t get another win …
Someone who works at Evan Williams is going to keep the FB thread informed … hope for good news … fingers crossed …
So sad to read this morning that One in a Milan had injured his knee and had to be pts … it was nothing short of a miracle that he wasn’t killed instantly followig that somersaulting fall in the Welsh National … but he did look to have got up OK … I never saw any info that there was any problem with him to this extent so this news comes as a shock … RIP One in a Milan
Awful to hear about both of them. Embsay Crag was yet another to break a hind leg on the flat approaching a hurdle … Stagecoach took a crashing and totally uncharacteristic fall mid-race (he had only ever failed to complete 3 previosu races) … the commentator said he was up quickly so I guess he too must have broken a leg … Wetherby again but I suppose could have happened anywhere … RIP both of you …
I was there and the vet told me he broke a pastern (badly) on the flat … beautiful strong looking grey … so sad but it was nothing to do with the fences …
I’ll second that … it’s what I would wish for all our equine friends … RIP Teeton Mill
I’m glad it appears confirmed, but I think I was careful not to blame the jockey. I always assume – rightly or wrongly – that claimers have less experience/knowledge.
I’m still uncomfortable with this however – the horse appeared to be in difficulty from the off and he just didn’t look comfortable at all.
Appearances can obviously be deceiving but this whole thing was extremely unpleasant to see and can’t help with any horse welfare issues.
I agree … I was worried about him from the first fence …
