The greatest race I ever saw In my racing days...

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 9:30 am

Newbury - Hennessy Gold Cup 2009 - YouTube

tude dog · Post by **tude dog** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 12:42 pm

First of all, I ain't into horse racing. Car racing, or pretty much any other kind of racing.

I do love a good spectacle.

Had the opportunity to go to a race track to watch horse races. It was the everybody gets into the gates and all released at once. I am not a gambler, , , , , , , , never mind, I'll spare you that story and get back on topic.

When I first saw the video was 10min or so, didn't expect to stick around for the whole thing.

It was kind of memorizing watching the riders walking their horses in that circle. OK, warming up the muscles.

Really loved how everybody goes onto the track never stopping and all of a sudden, THEIR OFF!

I was hooked.

Rather than go through the many things I found interesting I'll focus on one that did keep my attention.

Early on a jockey fell off (or as announcer said thrown) a horse. That horse just kept following the pack. Not to surprising there. But every time it came to one of those barriers rather than just fly over it she would hesitate and make more of a hop and I wondered if that action was what threw the jockey.

Anyway, never watched a Steeplechase before. Seen snippets here there.

Thank you, that was enjoyable.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 1:35 pm

Thank You for watching !!!

I suppose to anyone not Into Steeple chasing National Hunt Horse Racing, one race looks very much the same as others.

It's a little like a lover of cars getting so excited at seeing classic cars or the top of the range cars.

With these horses, they are my Ferrari's, Ducati's etc etc.

During their careers, I encounter most of them on the race courses and get very close to them In the pre-parade ring. It's like seeing old friends each time.

Many of them have fan bases In the UK and fans will travel the country not to so much to see the race but see the horse.

This particular race was the greatest steeple chasing feat In racing history due to the calibre of the horses. In the 19 runners, there was Grand National winners, Gold cup winners and the best of Irish Challengers.... I have never seen such a high class field as this.

The Hennessy Gold Cup Is a gruelling race and many get pulled up as their stamina ekes out after about 2 miles.

The winner ' Denman; Is a legend and what made this win so outstanding was that due to the handicapping system here, he was racing with 16 pound of lead weights under his saddle.... they said he'd never do It.

Denman Is known as ' The Tank' here because of his style of leading from the front and running the finish out of his rivals.

The horse at the beginning of the race ' Offshore Account' unseated his rider at the first fence.... typically they drop their shoulders so the Jockey slides out of the saddle. They do It because they have no faith In their rider to get them over the hurdle safely however, they continue to run behind the herd because they see the horses In front of them have no fear and they put their trust In that and follow them.

Although this video Is now out of date... the build up for the Gold Cup was Incredible.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 10:20 am

My second choice now.

Ever seen a horse win a 3 mile race by a mile ? Well, It's very rare...

Boxing Day 2009 we gathered at Kempton Park to see the creme de la creme run this Grade 1 National Hunt Race.

King George VI Chase 2009 - YouTube

This was the most astonishing example of rider and horse In perfect unison... Jockey Ruby Walsh

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sun Oct 21, 2012 8:07 am

After deliberating with myself, this Is my 3rd choice.

It's a flat race which is not my forte but nonetheless an amazing, astonishing feat.

It's the 2011, 2,000 Guinea's Group One

The first part of this video shows why.

2011 Was All About One Horse: Frankel - YouTube

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 5:33 am

For my next choice I have to go back as far as 1977

The 1977 Grand National

Red Rum wins his 3rd Grand National 1977 FULL RACE.avi - YouTube

I remember this so well and the queue for the ladies toilets was horrendous. My brother and me shared a picnic with our Father on the side of the course..... You can't do that now.... health and safety bollocks....My money was on The Pilgarlic .... We watched history In the making and we were all buzzing for weeks.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:55 am

Next choice has to be this...

The spectacle of the Cheltenham festival and the 2008 Gold Cup..

Three stable mates battling In out together from the Paul Nicholl's stables....Kauto, Denman and Neptune Collogne's ( winner of the 2012 Grand National ) The build up to the showdown between Kauto Star and Denman had raged for months and the excitement on the course that day was electric.

The money was on Kauto Star to hold his crown....

Cheltenham totesport Gold Cup 2008 - YouTube

I had the winning forecast on the day but also had a place bet on ' Nowhere'.... who came.... errrr nowhere

R.I.P EXOTIC DANCER

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:12 am

The greatest finish I have ever seen In any race....

dunguib ,Weatherbys Champion Bumper - Cheltenham 2009 - YouTube

The 2009 Champion Bumper Chase at Cheltenham

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 3:30 pm

Next choice, something more recent..... The 2012 World Hurdle

With far too much wagered on Big Bucks than I ever should have risked at such short odds, this race will stay with me forever If just for the heart attack ' Voler La Vedette ' gave me and probably thousands of other punters on the day.

Cheltenham 2012 Ladbrokes World Hurdle - Big Bucks - YouTube

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 7:34 pm

This race at Towcester made racing history but for all the wrong reasons.....

One I'll also always remember If only for the laughs It gave me.

Historic Race at Towcester Racecourse - YouTube