[Tom]

The rider of the second obeyed the whip rules and lost the race – is that fair?

[Tom]

This year’s race has not been a good advert for the Grand National and I am sure it will bring a bigger backlash against the sport than usual.

[Tom]

Mr Lungo looked several times as if he was going to be a force to be reckoned with but it never happened.

But every time he put a runner out it had to be respected.

[Tom]

Did the RP give such details on a daily basis up till a couple of years ago.

[Tom]

I have been going racing on a regular basis since 1960. betting successfully since that date till 1990.

Over the years I have noticed the standard of those who go racing has dropped alarmingly. Unsavory incidents are seen regularly at race meetings that one would not see in the past.

It looks like this board is mirroring the race crowds as I put an innocent statement at the start of this thread and yet look at the nasty personal attacks from ‘apracing’.

Behave Sir,

[Tom]

The BHA have, this week, announced that from next year the fit and proper person test will be more robustly implemented for trainers and jockeys renewing their licenses. They are also in discussion with the Racehorse Owners’ Association about prospective owners now not merely completing a form, but being interviewed to demonstrate their own fitness and properness to own a racehorse and foot the associated bills.(Today’s Racing Post )

Not before time, not before time.

And also ask they what there plans are for their animals after their racing careers are over.

[Tom]

It seems a natural and sensible process for jockeys to stay in the industry after they give up riding. If they have the knowledge and sense to move on to a particular position in horse racing. Not jobs for the boys, theyare the best for the particular job by all means give it to them.

like everything else, experience means so much.

[Tom]

did Elaine have the correct qualifications to get a license?

If she has, could the racing authorities be 100% sure that her husband would not make one decision connected with the training of the horses till his year’s suspension was up?

With the latter I feel it would have been impossible to have given such an assurance, so the decision was the correct one.

[Tom]

The Wylie’s are to the north, to what the arabs are to the south as far as owners are concerned.

Does anyone know how many winners they had lasy year?

[Tom]

Mr Wilson, you certainly have put the cat among the pigeons.

[Tom]

"However, members of the racing industry have reacted with anger, calling it "unbelievable" and "appalling"

"Appalling"? Maybe not appalling if one also take into account the pain and suffering a horse has to endure under when in a jump race.

"Racing’s governing body in Victoria had conceded that the sport was in decline because of mounting safety concerns"

So it is maybe only the old racing die-hards that are moaning. One could say that this sport was a dying sport anyway in Victoria and the authorities has just put it to sleep a little quicker.

"Animal rights campaigners have described racing over hurdles and fences as not only shameful and barbaric but "morally wrong".

They have a point.

"An official review of the industry last year recommended a raft of new safety measures, all of which were adopted by authorities in Victoria. Despite the changes, the fatalities have continued, with eight horses dying in races this season."

The raft of changes did not go far enough, so another move had to be made and the one eventually made would ensure that no horse would die in a Jump race in Victoria. That is called improvement. That is moving forward in making the world a more caring place for all creatures.

"Steeplechase events in Victoria will go on for another year in an attempt to soften the impact of their abolition on those involved"

So the authorities have not been draconian – they have softened the blow to owners, trainers and jockeys by giving a year’s grace. looks like one side in this argument is playing fair, and the other not.

"Neighbouring South Australia, the only other state in the country that allows jump racing, has said its programme will continue and hopes to attract trainers and horses from Victoria. However, officials in South Australia are not celebrating and have expressed deep concerns about the long-term viability of their steeplechasing industry."

Like everything throughout history, once change starts is grows like a snowball as it rolls on and on and on. No doubt its last port of call will be England and Ireland but the walls of NH racing will eventually fall in these countries. That is certain.

[Tom]

one person cannot be barred for having a criminal conviction and another let-off.

Every law has to be seen to be fair.

[Tom]

Bob – "And what can we do stop the plans to build 1200 houses in an area that will basically finish off Newmarket as one of the worlds leading training centres."

Surely that is a bit over the top Bob? we all have to make a little sacrifice on our over crowded country/planet.

neil – "When i went in September I thought it was a fantastic and wonderful place looking across the Heaths and seeing the huge Millenium Stand which hits you as soon as you see it and gives you Goosebumps.
"

So because neil has goosebumps 1,200 families are denied a home and workers will be out of a job instead of building homes?

[Tom]

Tor – "Not this again"

Is this to be a taboo subject, a subject to be swept under the carpet? I must admit four fatalities in four consecutive days does not racing any good.

happy – "should be under ‘MEMORIALS’ Must have taken a lot of will power to put them all on rather than one at time"

So you treat such happenings with humour?

Pinza "So unless your aim is to get everyone to lobby for the banning of NH Racing, I respectfully suggest that you accept that you have preached your sermon, and stop repeating it. It is becoming counter-productive."

You mention banning the sport, not me. But could more not be done to protect the horse. (I will come to that in a moment)

Paul – "An average of 8 people die on Britain’s roads every day."

I don’t think you want to go down that road Paul. If you do we could compare the population of the country with the number of horses taking part in racing each year.

King – You mention the police officer killed in the Cumbrian floods. Well, lets us use this terrible tragedy as a yard stick to our debate.

There will be an enquiry into the death of this police officer, so should there not be an enquiry into the death of each horse that is fatally injured on the track?

take for example. …

"Exhausted, collapsed, died" – Should the animal have not been pulled up before it got into such an exhausted state?

a horse who is jumping badly through out a race and eventually has a fatal fall, an enquiry into why the animal was not pulled up?

[Tom]

Even the Racing world has to move with the times.

Peole are crying out for homes and the punter cannot stand in their way.

[Tom]

ticket insepctor only doing his job.

terrible when a tallented guy becomes so petty.

[Tom]

So we will never know if he would have retained his ability as a 4-y-o or his he was better that 2010’s 3-year-olds

Sea The Stars is the *STAR* of 2009, but we will never know if he would have been a superstar or not.

Superstars no not run away from competition.

[Author]

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