Racing Parlance Question

Desert Orchid

Desert Orchid

Senior Jockey
Joined
Aug 2, 2005
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Watching RUK, I'm bemused by the frequent use of the expression "on debut".

My brother, who has the Timeform 50 booklet, says they use it a lot too.

I'm just wondering how long it has been in use. I've never seen it in the RP or Weekender or Form Book or on ITV or C4 before that or the BBC before that and, frankly, it just sounds wrong to me.

Is it a translation of a French phrase en début*, which is what it sounds like to me?

Anyhow, I find it really on tits...

(* Another phrase I've never heard of but I admit it's over 30 years since I read a French racing paper.)
 
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Yes, but why not "on his/her/its debut"? That's what I'm getting at.

You wouldn't say, "... ran well on first appearance.." without the possessive in there.

"On debut" just doesn't sound like idiomatic English.
 
Of course you would it might not be IN there it can come before rather than within

whats wrong with "Owned by the Queen, this son of Frankel ran well on debut"

When people use the phrase/words they almost always mention the subject matter or no one would have a clue who the hell they were talking about
 
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