Racing Post

Grasshopper said:
Lee, come on - it’s indefensible horse-sh*it.

They lead with ‘Don’t say you weren’t told’ and then produce a list that anyone with the remotest interest in the sport could have pulled out their rear-end.

This is the trade paper. It’s like the Economist advising everyone that Apple and Microsoft shares are maybe worth keeping an eye on. The editor should be embarrassed to have this garbage published, and Jennings should be embarassed to have written it. It is just the latest example of how far into the shitter this execrable rag has fallen.

I’m well past the anger stage, have moved out of the disbelief stage, and am now firmly in the pity stage. It must be excruciating to be publicly associated with this paper - unless one has a complete absence of shame.
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Fair dos, grassy, but I think he was using the “don’t say you weren’t told” only in respect of El Fabiolo
 
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barjon said:
Fair dos, grassy, but I think he was using the “don’t say you weren’t told” only in respect of El Fabiolo
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Given the entire article appeared underneath that banner headline, I dispute that is the case, barjon……though even if it were true, the same applies about the ‘revelation’, given El Fabiolo had hacked-up at at Tramore for Willie Mullins at odds of 2/7, a mere handful of days previously.
 
I could see the need for 'dark horses' that you will need to familiarise yourself with over the coming year, (one last year that highlighted Galopin des Champs or Saint Roi the year before would have been useful). I can see where he might have felt that the sub-editor didn't do him any favours. But who feels the need to tell Racing Post subscribers that they need to watch out for Honeysuckle and A Plus Tard.
 
Grasshopper said:
Given the entire article appeared underneath that banner headline, I dispute that is the case, barjon……though even if it were true, the same applies about the ‘revelation’, given El Fabiolo had hacked-up at at Tramore for Willie Mullins at odds of 2/7, a mere handful of days previously.
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Yeah, the banner is misleading - I suspect he was undone by a sub-editor :). Not that I disagree with your general point.
 
I used to have articles printed in the various incarnations of the Raceform Update and the headlines/titles rarely met with my approval.

I also recall SteveM's not being happy with the headings/titles to some of his dosage articles in the Weekender, feeling they weren't a true reflection of his thoughts on the race.
 
I don't subscribe to the RP but I did notice on the homepage today a headline of "Kick troublemaking fans out of racing - or risk losing the loyal ones", I'd be interested to see the content of this article.

It's the reason why I often swerve going to a lot of bigger meetings, bar Cheltenham, Punchestown, etc... as the sight/sound of p*ssed up groups of 'lads' who have absolutely no interest in the racing, winds me right up. It's one thing I can't understand, why they feel they need to bring themselves to the races, just go and get hammered down the pub, you'll see the same number of horses there.
 
I'd like to see it too now that you pointed it out even though I'm sure the article will just annoy me because I disagree with a lot

I think some people with certain personalities are just annoyed that racing doesn't cater specifically to them, then blame it on people they dislike rather than the reality of their own personal preferences.

I don't like crowded, noisy places (unless I'm the one making the noise.) I went to a family Christmas do with about thirteen people at it and my head was wrecked. People were being loud, there was no space for a moment to yourself, everyone was being overly cheerful and demanding attention. I realise, however, that's just me being annoyed at it. I'm sure for most of the rest of my extended family they had a great time.

I'm the same with pubs. I like a quiet place, especially in a city centre, where I can isolate myself from the hustle and bustle outside. Some people like thronging bars where the music is loud and everyone's having a party.

All the people saying racing should be for the serious racing punter seem to exclude the idea that many serious racing punters like the noise, crowds and party atmosphere. That if you're having a blast and showing it you aren't to be taken seriously on horses, because somehow having exuberant fun is antithetical to racing which must be dour and serious

Tangentially to all this is the "autistic friendly" spaces some racecourses have set up in conjunction with charities. They all seem to be focused on parents of autistic kids, who want their kids to have a fun time. I'm an adult, so of course I know far more adults who are autistic (and a few more who aren't diagnosed, who people just say are a bit weird, but are probably autistic) and if we're talking about catering to pathologised issues (i.e an extreme,) then surely racecourses should be catering in some way to the fifty year old, probably autistic fella who just wants to go racing. Although I think a lot of those people have realised, unfortunately, racecourses aren't for them, but the small racing pub where people are friendly and interested in racing absolutely will make them feel welcome.
 
I'm pretty much the same, FiftyP.

I'm comfortable in a group of two or three but the bigger the crowd the quieter I get and tend just to clam up and play 'spot the moron' inside my head.

I don't go racing any more but would like to. The last time I went (Ayr a couple of years back) was a quiet midweek meeting (via my RTV Club day) but the bars were stowed with lads in slim-fit suits that were bursting at the buttons and ladettes in what looked like outfits they wore to their best pal's recent wedding, seemingly hell-bent on getting stotious.

I wouldn't have minded so much if they - the women - were attractive and well-mannered but they were pure howlers who might have been better suited to an afternoon at the Mecca Bingo. And rude and loud as fvck.

And yet the racecourse seemed to be doing all it could to encourage these people to attend.
 
Whether you like it or not DO, 80% of people at meetings are only there for the drink.

Group of us going to Aintree this year, not one of them could name you a horse other than Tiger Roll. Im going to Cheltenham (Tuesday) on my own this year. Have a spare ticket but none of the Aintree group want it as its a long way to go for a **** up. Literally.

Plus Im not actually going for the **** up, top of my bucket list, and i need to go this year before its 5 days and the whole cards are swapped round. On my own or not, I know I’ll thoroughly enjoy it.
 
Double J said:
Whether you like it or not DO, 80% of people at meetings are only there for the drink.

Group of us going to Aintree this year, not one of them could name you a horse other than Tiger Roll. Im going to Cheltenham (Tuesday) on my own this year. Have a spare ticket but none of the Aintree group want it as its a long way to go for a **** up. Literally.

Plus Im not actually going for the **** up, top of my bucket list, and i need to go this year before its 5 days and the whole cards are swapped round. On my own or not, I know I’ll thoroughly enjoy it.
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I will also be heading to Cheltenham on my own this year, none of my mates really are in to racing and it's not something I want to miss out on for that simple reason.
 
“A new year is meant to bring new beginnings but, sadly for racing, it brings up the same old problems.

On New Year’s Day, a video from Fairyhouse went viral on Twitter showing a spectator throwing what appears to be a pint of beer at Grand Paradis and Davy Russell as they crossed the finishing line in third in the beginners’ chase.

It was an act as moronic as it was dangerous. Thankfully the missile did not hit its intended target, lest a serious incident have been caused.

Fairyhouse officials were quick to act and a post on the racecourse’s social media account later that day confirmed the individual had been identified and removed with his details taken.


If a football fan were to do something similar they would receive a stadium-wide ban – and possibly even face police action – so it can only be hoped those details are shared with every course in Ireland and Britain and that individual is not allowed near a racetrack again.

There needs to be a strong deterrent for such actions and I wouldn't be against widening that ban to all sports stadia. This individual clearly cannot be someone who attends a day at the races regularly, or has much care for the sport and its participants, so would a ban from horseracing make a huge difference to them? Perhaps not.

This is, of course, only illustrative of wider and well-documented issues racing faces with crowds on its bigger occasions.

The Racing Post has this week been carrying an excellent ‘Pulse of Racing’ series, part two of which saw Graham Dench catching up with some die-hard supporters at Lingfield.

Although there were plenty of positives to be gleaned from their experiences, one element which stood out to me like a sore thumb was the admission from two of the punters – of differing ages and backgrounds – that they deliberately avoid most of the higher-profile meetings precisely because of the prevalent anti-social behaviour.

"I hardly miss any of the midweek all-weather meetings here or at Kempton, but racing on Saturdays is different because of the crowds," said one.

This is further confirmation of the long-held fear that the at-times-troubling atmosphere on the big days is driving away the loyal supporters who form the lifeblood of the game. They are the ones who should enjoy those big days more than anyone, yet they are being marginalised.

I am not one who would advocate heavy policing of these events – like most, I am perfectly capable of enjoying a few drinks without acting quite that ignorantly – but when such incidents do occur we must clamp down as quickly and severely as possible to ensure it does not happen again.””
 
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wilsonl said:
“A new year is meant to bring new beginnings but, sadly for racing, it brings up the same old problems.

On New Year’s Day, a video from Fairyhouse went viral on Twitter showing a spectator throwing what appears to be a pint of beer at Grand Paradis and Davy Russell as they crossed the finishing line in third in the beginners’ chase.

It was an act as moronic as it was dangerous. Thankfully the missile did not hit its intended target, lest a serious incident have been caused.

Fairyhouse officials were quick to act and a post on the racecourse’s social media account later that day confirmed the individual had been identified and removed with his details taken.


If a football fan were to do something similar they would receive a stadium-wide ban – and possibly even face police action – so it can only be hoped those details are shared with every course in Ireland and Britain and that individual is not allowed near a racetrack again.

There needs to be a strong deterrent for such actions and I wouldn't be against widening that ban to all sports stadia. This individual clearly cannot be someone who attends a day at the races regularly, or has much care for the sport and its participants, so would a ban from horseracing make a huge difference to them? Perhaps not.

This is, of course, only illustrative of wider and well-documented issues racing faces with crowds on its bigger occasions.

The Racing Post has this week been carrying an excellent ‘Pulse of Racing’ series, part two of which saw Graham Dench catching up with some die-hard supporters at Lingfield.

Although there were plenty of positives to be gleaned from their experiences, one element which stood out to me like a sore thumb was the admission from two of the punters – of differing ages and backgrounds – that they deliberately avoid most of the higher-profile meetings precisely because of the prevalent anti-social behaviour.

"I hardly miss any of the midweek all-weather meetings here or at Kempton, but racing on Saturdays is different because of the crowds," said one.

This is further confirmation of the long-held fear that the at-times-troubling atmosphere on the big days is driving away the loyal supporters who form the lifeblood of the game. They are the ones who should enjoy those big days more than anyone, yet they are being marginalised.

I am not one who would advocate heavy policing of these events – like most, I am perfectly capable of enjoying a few drinks without acting quite that ignorantly – but when such incidents do occur we must clamp down as quickly and severely as possible to ensure it does not happen again.””
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Thank you for posting Wilsonl.

The part in bold is exactly how I feel unfortunately.
 
"loyal supporters who form the lifeblood of the game" pack sandwiches and flasks of tea and don't spend stupid amounts on booze that forms a fair whack of individual courses' income
 
Double J said:
Whether you like it or not DO, 80% of people at meetings are only there for the drink.

Group of us going to Aintree this year, not one of them could name you a horse other than Tiger Roll. Im going to Cheltenham (Tuesday) on my own this year. Have a spare ticket but none of the Aintree group want it as its a long way to go for a **** up. Literally.

Plus Im not actually going for the **** up, top of my bucket list, and i need to go this year before its 5 days and the whole cards are swapped round. On my own or not, I know I’ll thoroughly enjoy it.
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I often go on my own. Most of the time I prefer it. I actually get to look at the horses in my own time and take them in. I have good friends I meet at some courses, or one comes 3/4 times a year and I enjoy those days as well ,but find that the catching up chat means I miss out on the horses. I hardly bet at all, if I do it's a very rare occurrence. I just love the horses and admire the jockeys skill, wishing I could ride like that even just once.
The amount of pee heads who turn is just despairing.
 
Yes, GG, and it’s those like you (maybe with the odd bet thrown in ;)) who are the true life blood of the sport. Like many things, money, money, money has become the clarion call. Money does have its place, of course, but who on earth decided it was right and proper to call our sport an industry, although I suppose it describes what it has descended to.
 
granger said:
Irish race tracks are mostly free of this loutish behaviour but i guess there always be some goon who can go rogue
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That is why I love going over to Punchestown so much. Quality racing, really nice track and facilities and you don't see the 10-strong pack of lads having the 'who can be the noisiest drunk' competition.
 
Have to say without sounding big headed about it, the number of times I really fancy/like something and don't bet on it as money tight, and it then goes and wins, I kick myself repeatedly... in my 'mind' I have to be very, very 'have the feeling' before I put a bet on. One of my best friends, the one who comes 3/4 times a year, knows NOTHING about racing and I mean nothing, has a really scientific method of backing anything with a Scottish or Irish 'connection' , so Belfast Banter, Thistlecrack, Paisley Park, Palmers Hill ( Palmer's her surname) ...... and she always comes out ahead. A bookie on the rail at Ascot on the Saturday before Christmas was so entertained by us with our methods, he gave her a free bet based on how many grandchildren she had, and then offered to change our tickets in the last as we had gone for it and bet £10 to win but said the wrong horse!!! We meant to back Onemorefortheroad with Bryony, both of us like a drink , occasionally obviously, and I like Bryony, and he was number 11 and we said number 9!!! Realised as they walked past us on the horsewalk, so ran over to place another bet and told him what we had done, but I said no no our fault... put £5 on to win , and he was 2nd.
 
Desert Orchid said:
Please feel free to share those urges with us, GG :)
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:) Trouble is, most of time have to be there as it were!
Sometimes get them when trying to do the ITV7 from home. Have known to kick self when something a larger price comes in and I wouldn't have been able to explain why I just knew that was going to win but they do. One of friends say why don't you just put a fiver on when that happens? 'Cos I think too much about it and think £5 is 15 kilos of carrots or 3 bags of nana treats for Muppet, or...or....or......
 
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