RIP Vincent O'Brien
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Bar the Bull
At the Start
Who were his best horses in terms of Timeform ratings?
Nijinsky, Sir Ivor, Roberto?
Nijinsky, Sir Ivor, Roberto?
Can only echo all that has already been posted.
My own insight on Vincent O'Brien, albeit secondhand, came to me from reading 'Horsetrader', which is actually a bio of Robert Sangster. To read chapter upon chapter on the great trainer was absorbing, and written so much better than the typical racing fare. Describing him evaluating the Minstrel was amazing, and he saw something in horses most, if not all, are unable to. A one off.
My own insight on Vincent O'Brien, albeit secondhand, came to me from reading 'Horsetrader', which is actually a bio of Robert Sangster. To read chapter upon chapter on the great trainer was absorbing, and written so much better than the typical racing fare. Describing him evaluating the Minstrel was amazing, and he saw something in horses most, if not all, are unable to. A one off.
Nefertiti
At the Start
I can only echo the sentiments, tributes and accolades expressed by everyone. A legend has passed into history - RIP.
Harbinger
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Derby riders will pay tribute to O'Brien
BY LEE MOTTERSHEAD3.00PM 2 JUN 2009
THE flags at Epsom were flying at half-mast on Tuesday in honour of the late Vincent O'Brien, who will be remembered formally on Investec Derby day, when the big-race riders will wear black armbands as a mark of respect to the legendary trainer.
Having first sought the approval of O'Brien's family, Epsom announced that the death of the six-time Derby-winning trainer will be marked by the reading of a tribute during the Classic's preliminaries. A lasting memorial to O'Brien is set to be decided and put in place before next year's Derby.
Epsom managing director Nick Blofeld said: "At our instigation, the Derby jockeys will be wearing black armbands and we will be staging a small tribute as the horses go to post for the Derby.
BY LEE MOTTERSHEAD3.00PM 2 JUN 2009
THE flags at Epsom were flying at half-mast on Tuesday in honour of the late Vincent O'Brien, who will be remembered formally on Investec Derby day, when the big-race riders will wear black armbands as a mark of respect to the legendary trainer.
Having first sought the approval of O'Brien's family, Epsom announced that the death of the six-time Derby-winning trainer will be marked by the reading of a tribute during the Classic's preliminaries. A lasting memorial to O'Brien is set to be decided and put in place before next year's Derby.
Epsom managing director Nick Blofeld said: "At our instigation, the Derby jockeys will be wearing black armbands and we will be staging a small tribute as the horses go to post for the Derby.
maythehorsebewithyou
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EC1
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Its always sad when someone who has played such a big part in a sport you follow dies..from a selfish point of view a little bit of your own life is removed. There have been a few that have left that feeling through my life when they died..Shankly, Clough, Best....Ali because of his illness ...left that similar feeling.
Very few people deserve the accolade ...legend..Vincent was definately the epitomy of the word.
When I first got interested in racing in the 70's I was unaware of his exploits over the sticks..and I still thought he was a genius just with what he did on the flat.
I read his book some time ago and was astonished by some of the stuff in there.
Can't see another one like him coming along....another thought I have on these occasions
sorry for the babble
RIP Vincent
Very few people deserve the accolade ...legend..Vincent was definately the epitomy of the word.
When I first got interested in racing in the 70's I was unaware of his exploits over the sticks..and I still thought he was a genius just with what he did on the flat.
I read his book some time ago and was astonished by some of the stuff in there.
Can't see another one like him coming along....another thought I have on these occasions
sorry for the babble
RIP Vincent
It's nice Epsom are putting on some sort of tribute - I hope it is done from the point of view of love and respect rather than great solemnity because I reckon the last thing VOB would have wanted is for anyone's enjoyment of The Derby (or any race, come to that!) to be impaired!
92 is a wonderful age to realise and it's definitely a case for celebrating his life, not mourning his passing, in my view.
92 is a wonderful age to realise and it's definitely a case for celebrating his life, not mourning his passing, in my view.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/o...th-national-hunt-and-flat-racing-1694550.html
This is probably the most informative of the obituaries I've read
This is probably the most informative of the obituaries I've read
EC1
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EC1
On a break
aye
the word instigation does look a little out of place I suppose
the word instigation does look a little out of place I suppose
Harbinger
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nice stuff on beeb at the moment
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He was undoubtedly the greatest of trainers but we shouldn't portray him as some sort of saint. He was hugely instrumental in the "pack 'em off to stud early" movement of the seventies and early eighties. He wasn't always straight in his dealings with the media, either. I can well remember being at Newmarket the day Lomond was booed as he came back after winning the Guineas, largely as a result of the misinformation which had been put out by the stable about the participation of the long-time ante-post favourite, Danzatore.
Allowing himself to be called "doctor" also seemed a bit pompous to me. They were honorary doctorates, after all. You can't be responsible for what people call you but you can let it be known if you dislike it and he never did.
I've difficulty recalling the detail but didn't private investors lose a lot of money on the Classic Thoroughbreds venture, as well?
That said, he was obviously a genius with horses and his achievements will never be matched.
Allowing himself to be called "doctor" also seemed a bit pompous to me. They were honorary doctorates, after all. You can't be responsible for what people call you but you can let it be known if you dislike it and he never did.
I've difficulty recalling the detail but didn't private investors lose a lot of money on the Classic Thoroughbreds venture, as well?
That said, he was obviously a genius with horses and his achievements will never be matched.
There's no chip on my shoulder, old boy. I'm sure the man wouldn't have claimed to be a saint but some of the coverage since his death has bordered on the hagiographic.
On the specific point about Danzatore, the controversy had nothing to do with whether or not the horse had trained on and everything to do with the lamentable failure in public relations.
Fair enough point about Classic Thoroughbreds but it wasn't his finest hour.
On the specific point about Danzatore, the controversy had nothing to do with whether or not the horse had trained on and everything to do with the lamentable failure in public relations.
Fair enough point about Classic Thoroughbreds but it wasn't his finest hour.
