Keep it simple

Thanks to some big priced winners I was only a few quid down after Glorious Goodwood. But with hindsight it could have been a whole lot better.

My thoughts on the Stewards Cup began “Khaadem looks the class horse in the race”. He was. And he won. At 4/1. Shortish in a big sprint handicap but that looks massive now.

While in the Summer Handicap I thought “King’s Advice looks obvious in the 2.25. He is seven from eight this season with his only defeat coming in the Northumberland Plate where the trip may have just stretched him too far. He is up 7lb for his last win but that may not be enough to stop him” He also won.

I backed against both.

It can be that simple sometimes. The best horse in the race sometimes wins.

Enbihaar really surprised me. In a good way. I expected a battle with Dramatic Queen, with maybe Pilaster getting close. But she blitzed them. It was a career best and she could improve again. She will surely be trying a Group One next.

It is a shame that Too Darn Hot will not be running again. His return to form in the Sussex Stakes was another highlight but he suffered an injury which ended his racing career. But he will be going to stud and hopefully there will be some of his progeny trying to emulate his feats in the next four years or so. The family, however, do seem to be a bit fragile. Something for breeders to take into account.

One of last years heroes, Roaring Lion, had to have a second operation due to colic. He is better but not out of the woods yet. But his catheter has been removed and has been eating and drinking. We have everything crossed for a full recovery.

The whip has been a talking point again after Animal Aid posted ”Ban The Whip” ads on London buses this week.
I am now going to repeat something I have been saying on Twitter for weeks now.

WE NEED TO STOP CALLING IT A WHIP!

To the general public, and me too, a whip is something that Indiana Jones uses. Or John Belushi when singing Rawhide in the Blues Brothers. Or more relevantly, a thing used by wicked squires when trying to scare Black Beauty.

I have just googled whips (which is risky considering what images could have come up) and bullwhips, stockwhips, and cat o’nine tails all look nasty. There was a whip that is made specifically for the loud whipcrack sound which is used to help celebrate Easter in Silesia. Not even used on animals.

What the jockeys use is more of a riding crop. And even that is more cushioned than the old style crops used in the early part of the last century.

Education our main weapon

Make no mistake. These groups want to ban racing totally. We keep giving an inch and they will keep asking for more.

Education is our main weapon. We have to enlighten people. One of the pundits said maybe invite some of these animal activists to a stable the day after a horse has had a race to see how there are no ill effects afterwards.