Grand National meeting.

Skib said:
Polo ponies normally travel. Even when a match is played on a private polo field, there will be stabling only for the owners horses, not for the visiting ones.
Click to expand...
Yes but not after a really bad fall like BB had. You’re describing normal travel.

The vet has passed him to travel which I don’t think they would unless they were very happy. Also I dare say the vet has checked he’s a very happy traveller and doesn’t get stressed.
 
Maddie Moo said:
Broadway Boy loading up to go home

https://twitter.com/x/status/1908825057725415459
Click to expand...
I can see why they preferred to use a low-ramped box. Poor chap doesn't half look sore. Not surprised though!

We had a pointer that lost his jockey and bogged off. For some daft reason, he decided galloping on the tarmac was a better bet than the grass and slipped up in spectacular fashion, actually barrel-rolling a couple of times. He looked like BB does in the vid and really struggled getting on and off the lorry. He was fine, and raced again three weeks later. Lots and lots of bruising and scrapes.
 
Tiddlypom said:
Having seen the video of a very sore, stiff and rather tottery Broadway Boy loading up for a 150 mile journey I fully stand by my earlier comments that I think that it was too soon after his fall to travel him so far yet.

But hey ho, racing is racing.
Click to expand...
Yes, I’m sure his trainer, groom and the vets who are with him know nothing compared to you ….maybe message them and let them know where they are going wrong.
 
bonny said:
Yes, I’m sure his trainer, groom and the vets who are with him know nothing compared to you ….maybe message them and let them know where they are going wrong.
Click to expand...
I’d cheerfully have told them face to face if I had been there and able to influence them.

How did Broadway Boy look to you as he was being loaded?
 
Crazy_cat_lady said:
I think the betting is a problem - is don't watch much horsey stuff anymore bar racing especially now badminton and burghley are paywalled, but if someone had a run out or refusal there, they will often pull up and save for another day but there's no expectation on them bar their own

If you have a dodgy jump racing if still in contention, you are still expected to continue because otherwise you'll be held to account by the stewards, because there's potentially vast sums of money been placed (I'm glad they've stopped the betting man on itv celebrating the amounts, often hundreds of thousands, put on at the big festivals, i know the people doing it can afford it but it was sickening especially in a COL crises)

It's a shame the jockeys can't be given more autonomy over when they pull up.

Celebre absolutely walked over the 2nd last, and wasn't in contention yet he still tried to make him take the last, ban should probably be bigger especially as it led to him collapsing, after the 2nd last he should have pulled him up
Click to expand...
There seems to be a complete misunderstanding about pulling up at such races. I know for a fact the jockeys are briefed before the race and are told that they must not go too fast at the start and they must pull up if they have any concerns or the horse is too tired to continue, or is just too far behind. This is for horse welfare purposes and it is also a terrible look for the sport to see exhausted horses continuing. What the stewards don't like in normal races is to see horses just going around at the back to get a low handicap mark. Pulling up is always encouraged and doesn't affect the handicap so has no particular issues for the jockey or trainer. The jockey is much more likely to be sanctioned for continuing if there is a problem with the horse, although the stewards will inquire into why a well backed horse has been pulled up to check the there is a reason and that reason will be released into the public domain.
 
He does look very sore still. I'm guessing he's had some strong painkillers too, poor lad. Hopefully he'll recover physically, but I've seen a lot of comments on FB wishing him a speed recovery so he can get back to his job. I personally don't think it's fair to expect him to race again and potentially risk another fall like that.
 
Darcey69 said:
There seems to be a complete misunderstanding about pulling up at such races. I know for a fact the jockeys are briefed before the race and are told that they must not go too fast at the start and they must pull up if they have any concerns or the horse is too tired to continue, or is just too far behind. This is for horse welfare purposes and it is also a terrible look for the sport to see exhausted horses continuing. What the stewards don't like in normal races is to see horses just going around at the back to get a low handicap mark. Pulling up is always encouraged and doesn't affect the handicap so has no particular issues for the jockey or trainer. The jockey is much more likely to be sanctioned for continuing if there is a problem with the horse, although the stewards will inquire into why a well backed horse has been pulled up to check the there is a reason and that reason will be released into the public domain.
Click to expand...
Why ruin a perfectly good anti racing thread with actual facts 😀
 
Darcey69 said:
There seems to be a complete misunderstanding about pulling up at such races. I know for a fact the jockeys are briefed before the race and are told that they must not go too fast at the start and they must pull up if they have any concerns or the horse is too tired to continue, or is just too far behind. This is for horse welfare purposes and it is also a terrible look for the sport to see exhausted horses continuing. What the stewards don't like in normal races is to see horses just going around at the back to get a low handicap mark. Pulling up is always encouraged and doesn't affect the handicap so has no particular issues for the jockey or trainer. The jockey is much more likely to be sanctioned for continuing if there is a problem with the horse, although the stewards will inquire into why a well backed horse has been pulled up to check the there is a reason and that reason will be released into the public domain.
Click to expand...
That may be so but it clearly doesn’t happen in the heat of the moment. They don’t give a stuff about welfare then, just about winning, or sometimes just finishing. I couldn’t agree more that exhausted horses being pushed does make for a terrible look, they don’t care about that either. Maybe that’s why so many are against it.
 
Darcey69 said:
There seems to be a complete misunderstanding about pulling up at such races. I know for a fact the jockeys are briefed before the race and are told that they must not go too fast at the start and they must pull up if they have any concerns or the horse is too tired to continue, or is just too far behind. This is for horse welfare purposes and it is also a terrible look for the sport to see exhausted horses continuing. What the stewards don't like in normal races is to see horses just going around at the back to get a low handicap mark. Pulling up is always encouraged and doesn't affect the handicap so has no particular issues for the jockey or trainer. The jockey is much more likely to be sanctioned for continuing if there is a problem with the horse, although the stewards will inquire into why a well backed horse has been pulled up to check the there is a reason and that reason will be released into the public domain.
Click to expand...
I didn’t watch the whole Aintree meeting but my impression of the National (as I say my impression) was that more jockeys than I’d normally expect to eased up their mounts and came out of the race when clear wasn’t gonna be their day anywhere.
 
bonny said:
That’s Forever Young and

Anyone reading this could be forgiven for not knowing that we ride horses, jump them, make them go in endless circles, jump massive fences etc etc
We use horses for sport, if you don’t agree then campaign for it to stop but for now it carries on and today should be about the racing.
Click to expand...
and we ride them on roads....
 
Tiddlypom said:
Having seen the video of a very sore, stiff and rather tottery Broadway Boy loading up for a 150 mile journey I fully stand by my earlier comments that I think that it was too soon after his fall to travel him so far yet.

But hey ho, racing is racing.
Click to expand...
I strongly suspect that's why he went home in an ambulance, rather than with a transporter or in the yard's lorry. Ambulances have very low ramps, some can drop the floor to make it level and they are fitted with supports to keep a shaky horse secure. I'm sure he will be happier in familiar surroundings, with his regular routine, staff and vets. If they're not passed fit to travel, they don't travel. Arkle spent two months at Kempton racecourse stables, I believe. No way he could have travelled home as he was. Though I'm sure everyone would have liked him back as soon as.
 
Darcey69 said:
There seems to be a complete misunderstanding about pulling up at such races. I know for a fact the jockeys are briefed before the race and are told that they must not go too fast at the start and they must pull up if they have any concerns or the horse is too tired to continue, or is just too far behind. This is for horse welfare purposes and it is also a terrible look for the sport to see exhausted horses continuing. What the stewards don't like in normal races is to see horses just going around at the back to get a low handicap mark. Pulling up is always encouraged and doesn't affect the handicap so has no particular issues for the jockey or trainer. The jockey is much more likely to be sanctioned for continuing if there is a problem with the horse, although the stewards will inquire into why a well backed horse has been pulled up to check the there is a reason and that reason will be released into the public domain.
Click to expand...

That is such a good summary of the position.
 
The worst thing is not a horse dying on the track .far worse is a badly injured horse ,hundreds of miles from home , in agony. I have yet to meet anyone who has a contingency plan for that crashing fall.
I was faced with this once. I was merely the box driver but unofficial assistant trainer for the day/night .It got complicated because Jockey club were doing a spot check on security and the guy on the gate couldnt let me in as usual. When SH hit the ground and didn't get up I simply asked the guy who he was more afraid of .He got the message and I went to my horse. It was BAD ,horse couldn't travel home so I went to the stewards and asked who was the nearest trainer who could take SH in.I was introduced to a trainer with a local yard (family run) Yes bring him round we will have a box ready for him .That's the jump racing crowd!. Next problem ,trainer was up at Redcar ,we were at Uttoxeter and I had already completely P,d off trainer with my earlier horse at Leicester . Traffic on motorway ,jockey not arrived , horse declared so had to book a jockey . He was not a happy bunny especially once the stewards had said in no uncertain terms that his assistant trainer had done exactly what the rules required . Glad I was already half way to Uttoxeter when that conversation went down.
meanwhile ,trainer hot footing from Redcar to Uttoxeter ,we needed a plan. Horse was family pet . we will use this . Instruction to groom ,In front of owner and trainer ,say that sh will suffer ,surely there must be somewhere he can stay for the night.And I was ready for her cue.I just happen to know a yard..........The look of hope in the owners eyes and the look of relief in the trainers. Horse safely delivered to a wonderful caring yard to recover . ............Oh shit , we still have a horse at \leicester to collect from afternoon racing and its 2 am.Feck . We got back to Epsom as first lot were going out .
I am immensely proud of our team than night ,but it shouldn't have to be like that.
 
Bob notacob said:
The worst thing is not a horse dying on the track .far worse is a badly injured horse ,hundreds of miles from home , in agony. I have yet to meet anyone who has a contingency plan for that crashing fall.
I was faced with this once. I was merely the box driver but unofficial assistant trainer for the day/night .It got complicated because Jockey club were doing a spot check on security and the guy on the gate couldnt let me in as usual. When SH hit the ground and didn't get up I simply asked the guy who he was more afraid of .He got the message and I went to my horse. It was BAD ,horse couldn't travel home so I went to the stewards and asked who was the nearest trainer who could take SH in.I was introduced to a trainer with a local yard (family run) Yes bring him round we will have a box ready for him .That's the jump racing crowd!. Next problem ,trainer was up at Redcar ,we were at Uttoxeter and I had already completely P,d off trainer with my earlier horse at Leicester . Traffic on motorway ,jockey not arrived , horse declared so had to book a jockey . He was not a happy bunny especially once the stewards had said in no uncertain terms that his assistant trainer had done exactly what the rules required . Glad I was already half way to Uttoxeter when that conversation went down.
meanwhile ,trainer hot footing from Redcar to Uttoxeter ,we needed a plan. Horse was family pet . we will use this . Instruction to groom ,In front of owner and trainer ,say that sh will suffer ,surely there must be somewhere he can stay for the night.And I was ready for her cue.I just happen to know a yard..........The look of hope in the owners eyes and the look of relief in the trainers. Horse safely delivered to a wonderful caring yard to recover . ............Oh shit , we still have a horse at \leicester to collect from afternoon racing and its 2 am.Feck . We got back to Epsom as first lot were going out .
I am immensely proud of our team than night ,but it shouldn't have to be like that.
Click to expand...
I think that probably times have changed a little, not least that there many many more equine hospitals and clinics than there ised to be. 20 years ago there were only a tony handful, plus the ones at vet schools, now they are everywhere so there is almost always one close to a course.
And I can't speak for UK trainers, but I have know many Irish horses who have had to stay behind in the UK for anything from a few days to a few months, and there has always been a plan.
 
There is plenty of precedent with injured horses staying on in the local area for the early part of their recovery after the Aintree meeting, pending being fit enough to travel home.

The locals prep for it. The other injured horse, the one who had heat stroke, is staying on at a local livery yard for a bit.
 
Racing TV on demand which I think is free to view, they have Danny Mullins jockey cam on Meetingofthewaters, lovely pop round.
 
ITV main news yesterday evening showed a short video clip of BB arriving back at NTD. Looked a bit sore but not obviously lame and as above certainly on painkillers.

His jockey broke his wrist in the fall.

I am always concerned after a GN, especially in hot weather as it was this time, whether the horses running have been 'bottomed' and likely never able to race to their previous level again.

I will be interested to see how some of both the finishers and those pulled up near the end fare in future. I also don't particularly enjoy seeing horses that have pulled up in the GN running again in the Scottish National soon after (12th April this year). I know that has proved a success for some in the past but I just feel it's such a big ask.
 
reynold said:
I am always concerned after a GN, especially in hot weather as it was this time, whether the horses running have been 'bottomed' and likely never able to race to their previous level again.
Click to expand...

I think it's good that you are concerned Reynold.

And I'm sorry, I've tried not to interfere in this thread which I know was for people who enjoy watching racing, but how can it be right to even be able to write such a thing about a live animal being used for people's entertainment?
.
 
Last edited:
What concern me is the hot weather and horses having heat strock.

We are only in April and i know that the NH season is nearly over but what about flat racing ??

Here is Switzerland, we have flat racing from April till October, I sometimes lead horses and even if we have vet assistance and bucket of water at the finish, it always a worry,

Last year, only one meeting was cancelled in July when the temperature reached 34 degree but otherwise they don't like cancelleing due to the betting and financial loss.

Also they usually run from 11am till 2 pm at the hottest time of the day, also due to tv coverage and betting.... .

At least, things are getting better here, they banned the whip in flat racing, restricted the use of the whip in trotting races and banned 2 years old running.

Things are changing very slowly, now France is also talking about restricting the use of the whip in flat racing, we are going in the right direction hopefully.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top