Hi, thank you to everyone for welcoming me to the forum. I heard about you from existing members, and have also read in various racing papers. Was surprised and pleased how much knowledge and wit I found here - some forums are drizzle, or dribble, drivel. (?)
I grew up in Calif, my dad broke in quarter horses and took me to dirt tracks as a child. Was a wise man, had a way with animals, we have North American Indian blood. His fav horse was Northern Dancer. Naturally I did not listen to him as much as I should have - but I like to think that he is still with me whenever I manage to make an inspired bit of betting. It was because of him that I followed Sadler's Wells and made the pilgrimage to meet the old sire. I've lived in England for many years and have no intention of 'going home'. Love old racing history, people and horses and feel very strongly that we must preserve it and maintain the wonderful difference of racing and tracks which you are lucky to have in Europe. these horses get forgotten and I hate that. Enjoy the moment too - you never know when it will come again. I like the buzz of the big meetings but love the grit of the little jump tracks. I was very sad when recently read that Brave Spirit has died - a little treasure that Amerca would never understand these days.
I came to England because I was a 'rock chick' and worked in that industry, have given all of that up now and prefer 4 legged heroes. I got tired of the predictability of the rock scene, blonde girlfriends, too many rolls royce's in swimming pools, drugs and rock and roll suicides. yawn.
Have always followed racing and have many favourites, prefer jumps but could never give up the flat either. My soft spot of both codes are the stayers - it was them that got me into racing. I read before I went racing and cannot get into the house for all of the books I own. It was ages before I visited a racetrack here, somehow believed it was just for the elite folks and I am from the wrong side of the tracks really - however I was SO wrong and so glad of that. Everybody has their first equine mates and mine was Double Trigger, but I never saw him in person. His retirement broke my heart and the following weekend I went racing to prevent missing anything else. Jumps was See More Business and Istabraq who first took me to Cheltenham. I work and live in London mostly but retire to an ancient West Country cottage when I can get away. I have bits of both flat and jumps horses with a few trainers, bits of broodmares and two retired racehorses in good loan homes. If I put them all together might have a whole horse! Have won a few races and had places. Obviously I now have no money but lots of dreams.
I am a Nutritional Therapist so if any of you need some advice let me know! Only qualified to administer to people but I use a lot of the knowledge to feed my horses and a few trainers have welcomed suggestions. I also do herbs and what is known as 'vibrational medicine', flower remedies. It works very well with all animals.
Have only been racing for a few years and already clocked up so many fav equines I cannot separate, I live near Double Trigger and this was not an accident, most fun had with See More, love Dessie, greatest flat racehorse known is Mtoto, favourite wayward lad Celeric, but the most amazing horse I have ever been privliged to see and to know is Persian Punch. Best punts on See More who paid for husband and I to attend a whole Cheltenham Festival and stay in a B & B, and I am not a heavy gambler. Have not found any to replace these but live in hope! Loved the 2 mile league last season, Moscow, Zerty and Well Chief. Most missed, One Man, Don'tleavethenest, Punch.
Fav from history - Man o' War, Battleship, Secretariat, Crucifix, Sceptre, Brown Jack and Isinglass. More recent, Oh So Sharp, Nashwan, Generous, Petrushka, Galileo, Montjeu, Nayef, Mubtaker. Naturally Golden Miller, Dawn Run and Arkle.
Finest hour I took part in ? Hard, as See More's wins are foremost especially considering win money, but it is Punch's third Jockey Club Cup at Newmarket when he fought back to just beat brave Millenary, another fav. I had never heard shouting like that on a flat track, great stuff. Not a Group 1 winner sure, but none braver on the flat.
Oh yeah, and I talk a lot.