Racing Needs To Embrace Rising Elite
This is not an apple-with-apple comparison, but when racing became a burden for the government in Singapore, they promptly said, ‘no more’
19th July 2023
13 Comments
Sporting Post columnists share their opinions and insights into horse racing from South Africa and around the world. They are experts who have a deep understanding of the sport of kings, enjoy their thoughtful and fresh articles.
This is not an apple-with-apple comparison, but when racing became a burden for the government in Singapore, they promptly said, ‘no more’
‘The fact that there was nothing to stop the race itself. It’s disgusting. It’s an embarrassment to the racing fraternity on a global scale…’
Back by popular demand – thanks to reader Theodore Roelofsz
They chose to leave their own generation early and risk high handicap ratings
What a tragedy for racing that the current philosophy in place is seeking non-racing solutions for a sport with way more potential than any other form of gambling and gaming to grow into something spectacular
After the Hollywoodbets Settlers Trophy objection on Heritage Day, where a lack of communication was probably more of an issue than the outcome of the reversal of Somerset Maugham over Han Solo, Saturday’s objection outcome was more logical – watch the replay here
‘If all this leads to the collapse of racing in KZN, we may never see another child from KwaMashu rise in this industry again; nor from Umlazi, Ntuzuma or any of the province’s rural communities…’
There is a quote by pre-eminent local owner and breeder Sir Abe Bailey that “It’s said that all those who go racing are rogues and vagabonds. That may not be true. But it is true that all rogues and vagabonds go racing.”
There seems to be a belief that with a few tweaks many of racings considerable problems will all go away and that there is a lot of low hanging fruit ready to be plucked, but nothing could be further from the truth!
‘Race-riding can never be brought down to brute strength. It is about finesse and timing, being at one with your horse, reading a race, pace judgement and having a feel for what is underneath you’
Despite a decrease in the horse population and the sale of just 305 lots – 39 fewer than last year – the sale rose to expectations, achieving an impressive aggregate of R171 975 000 and an exceptional average of R563 852 per lot sold
When the hammer fell shortly before 15h00 on Friday on lot 346, a beautiful grey Ascot-bred son of Heavenly Blue, the scoreboard reflected that 303 of the 316 lots had sold over the two days for an aggregate of R171 425 000
