The Horse racing thread

[RealSpiritof98]

happy for weld but surely best horse came second

[Donnellys Hollow]

happy for weld but surely best horse came second

Harzand certainly got the run of the race but US Army Ranger got to within a neck at one stage and went down by a length and a half in the end. I'm not convinced that the winner was doing a whole lot in front.

I wouldn't back either with confidence to win back at the Curragh. I would have a very slight leaning towards Harzand provided there is enough of an ease. You would expect a big Sea The Stars colt like Harzand to improve with racing and for a stiffer and more conventional track like the Curragh. US Army Ranger stepped up a lot on his Chester effort and should find it easier to lie up closer next time in a smaller field.

Hopefully they both run because it has been too long since we've had a proper clash at the Curragh.

[Donnellys Hollow]

Sad day for racing with the retirement of Kieren Fallon and the death of the photographer Liam Healy.

[beer baron]

Pyromaniacs ban stands despite Tony Martin throwing Paddy Mc Guigan under the bus, DH you'd know a lot more about the goings on in racing circles but i would've expected a senior trainer to do his best not to hang an inexperienced rider?

[The Trap]

Anybody got one for Galway?

[Don Johnson]

Very very sad news about JT McNamara passing.

[BennyHarp]

Very very sad news about JT McNamara passing.

That's really sad news! RIP JT!

[Donnellys Hollow]

Such sad news to wake up to. It's hard to describe how gifted a rider John Thomas was. He had more horsemanship in his little finger than most celebrated professionals.

The man was a genius.

[orangeman]

Such sad news to wake up to. It's hard to describe how gifted a rider John Thomas was. He had more horsemanship in his little finger than most celebrated professionals.

The man was a genius.

Lovely tribute by Alistair Down here - http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/alastair-down-jt-mcnamaras-fighting-spirit-never-flinched/2126764/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews

[beer baron]

Charles Byrnes had an interesting evening at Roscommon, well punted treble landed. Will there be questions asked?

[RealSpiritof98]

Davy Russell is some pilot, could believe it when the third one went in.

[orangeman]

Michael O'Leary and Willie Mullins have fallen out of bed.


60 horses removed from the yard. Major fall out.

[Ball Hopper]

Michael O'Leary and Willie Mullins have fallen out of bed.


60 horses removed from the yard. Major fall out.

Over fees...Mullins says fee increase is the first in 10 years.

Anyone know what the fees are for a season...not that I've many horses or anything?

[Donnellys Hollow]

Michael O'Leary and Willie Mullins have fallen out of bed.


60 horses removed from the yard. Major fall out.

Over fees...Mullins says fee increase is the first in 10 years.

Anyone know what the fees are for a season...not that I've many horses or anything?

A lot!

I doubt Mullins will lose too much sleep over it. Apart from Apples Jade, most of his Gigginstown horses are fairly moderate compared to some of the other top quality horses he has in his yard. He won't have much bother filling the empty boxes anyway.

Long term this might not be a bad thing for the Irish National Hunt racing scene which has gone a bit stale recently. Seeing trainers like Colm Murphy packing the game in shows that it's not in a great state at the moment. Elliot should benefit the most from this and I'm sure it's welcome news to Noel Meade who was probably hit hardest out of all the leading trainers after the arse fell out of the economy. Interesting to see how the O'Brien operation in Pilltown develops over the next few years.

[RealSpiritof98]

O'leary is a very hard man to warm to, near billionaire fighting with millionaire over money just pisses me off.