[Other Sport] From the book of terrible excuses

[Weststander]

The people in the industry love their horses.

The renowned ex-jockeys and current trainers interviewed on SSN can’t believe what a stupid act it was by Elliott. They’ve never witnessed anything like it. The idiot brought his sport into disrepute.

 

[KZNSeagull]

That's revolting. I see his main client is sticking up for him which is unsurprising really.

 

[Wardy's twin]

Crap excuse and a weird thing to do but is sitting on a dead animal that died of a heart attack really worth him being “cancelled” over?

.

Yes IMO , who knows what else he gets up to behind the scenes.

 

[Dave Fishwick]

As with everything in racing, this has quickly turned into an English v Irish bunfight.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

84 in 180 odd years, so lots of rare Grand Nationals.

Isn't that roughly the same proportion as the children Jimmy Savile met that he sexually assaulted?

Rather a blase attitude to dead horses by some on this thread. The spot of Kings, though so, perhaps I should jog on.


Edit from the Independent web site:

"The number of horse deaths on racecourses has now reached its highest level in six years, according to figures released by the British Horseracing Authority in January, with 201 out of 93,004 runners killed last year"

There are 380 EPM matches each season with, on average, 25 players used per game. That's 9,500 'runners' (men in a game) each season. In ten years that's 95,000 'runners'. Did 201 EPL players die on the pitch in the last 10 years? No, I think you'll find the number is none.

Still, horses, though? Who cares, eh?

 

[RossyG]

Yes IMO , who knows what else he gets up to behind the scenes.

You can’t just cancel people on the off-chance that they might have done something.

 

[Wardy's twin]

You can’t just cancel people on the off-chance that they might have done something.

he did something which he was caught doing, seems unlikely that he was so unlucky that it was his first and only offence and when the evidence indicates he is a liar it does stack up against him.

 

[Iggle Piggle]

Isn't that roughly the same proportion as the children Jimmy Savile met that he sexually assaulted?

Rather a blase attitude to dead horses by some on this thread. The spot of Kings, though so, perhaps I should jog on.


Edit from the Independent web site:

"The number of horse deaths on racecourses has now reached its highest level in six years, according to figures released by the British Horseracing Authority in January, with 201 out of 93,004 runners killed last year"

There are 380 EPM matches each season with, on average, 25 players used per game. That's 9,500 'runners' (men in a game) each season. In ten years that's 95,000 'runners'. Did 201 EPL players die on the pitch in the last 10 years? No, I think you'll find the number is none.

Still, horses, though? Who cares, eh?

First things first. That photo of Elliott is hideous and he deserves everything he gets thrown at him. I'm not sure what he was thinking but given one of his biggest owners is Michael O'Leary and some of the stories from his yard, horse welfare isn't top of the list there. Compare that with Paul Nicholls, Fergal O'Brian or Henderson and it is night and day in terms of attitudes. Racing isn't perfect but the vast majority of people within it do love their horses.

The Grand National is much, much safer than it was. Only 1 horse has died since 2012 when Aintree upped its game with regards to safety following a number of high profile deaths in that year and those preceding it, in particular that years Gold Cup winner. They were too steep - Beeches brook in particular - and the lack of run off areas on the Grand National course was an accident waiting to happen. That's all been improved which your once a year punter has probably not even noticed. The fences are now more akin to Cross country ones which they can brush through and it is a far safer race. There were only 4 fallers in 2019 which compared to the 80's, 90's and early 2000's there were often very few who finished. There are courses that could do more (i'm no fan of the 3rd last in a 2 miler round Cheltenham for example) but they have got their act together on some courses and are making strides in others.

The comparison with footballers is off as well. We don't tend to shoot footballers - not even Palace ones - when they break their legs.

Lastly, If I could come back as anything in a future life it would be an unbeaten Group 1 flat horse. 2 to 3 years of racing and then off to stud where I'd be treated like a king to cover the best mares in the business. What a life. Less so, one in Elliot's yard.

 

[vegster]

Isn't that roughly the same proportion as the children Jimmy Savile met that he sexually assaulted?

Rather a blase attitude to dead horses by some on this thread. The spot of Kings, though so, perhaps I should jog on.


Edit from the Independent web site:

"The number of horse deaths on racecourses has now reached its highest level in six years, according to figures released by the British Horseracing Authority in January, with 201 out of 93,004 runners killed last year"

There are 380 EPM matches each season with, on average, 25 players used per game. That's 9,500 'runners' (men in a game) each season. In ten years that's 95,000 'runners'. Did 201 EPL players die on the pitch in the last 10 years? No, I think you'll find the number is none.

Still, horses, though? Who cares, eh?

How many more end up with injuries in training and get put down I wonder ? It's all an un necessary "sport " which exists only because it exists.

 

[Creaky]

First things first. That photo of Elliott is hideous and he deserves everything he gets thrown at him. I'm not sure what he was thinking but given one of his biggest owners is Michael O'Leary and some of the stories from his yard, horse welfare isn't top of the list there. Compare that with Paul Nicholls, Fergal O'Brian or Henderson and it is night and day in terms of attitudes. Racing isn't perfect but the vast majority of people within it do love their horses.

The Grand National is much, much safer than it was. Only 1 horse has died since 2012 when Aintree upped its game with regards to safety following a number of high profile deaths in that year and those preceding it, in particular that years Gold Cup winner. They were too steep - Beeches brook in particular - and the lack of run off areas on the Grand National course was an accident waiting to happen. That's all been improved which your once a year punter has probably not even noticed. The fences are now more akin to Cross country ones which they can brush through and it is a far safer race. There were only 4 fallers in 2019 which compared to the 80's, 90's and early 2000's there were often very few who finished. There are courses that could do more (i'm no fan of the 3rd last in a 2 miler round Cheltenham for example) but they have got their act together on some courses and are making strides in others.

The comparison with footballers is off as well. We don't tend to shoot footballers - not even Palace ones - when they break their legs.

Lastly, If I could come back as anything in a future life it would be an unbeaten Group 1 flat horse. 2 to 3 years of racing and then off to stud where I'd be treated like a king to cover the best mares in the business. What a life. Less so, one in Elliot's yard.

I would dispute that the “vast majority of people” in racing love horses. They certainly love the money and/or kudos that goes with being associated with a horse but that is nowhere near the same.

Your numbers regarding horse deaths is ingenuous as well, if we take the last ten years 5 horses died in the Grand National but even in the 8 years you chose 9 horses died on the Grand National Course. In any case for every horse that dies during a race many, many more die, are killed or are abandoned in the quest for the perfect runner. People who truly love horses would never treat them in the way they do.

As for the dream of becoming an unbeaten runner put out to stud - for every one of these thousands, if not tens of thousands, lead a far more miserable life.

 

[Poojah]

Shade's of Wayne Hennessey's 'Nazi salute':

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47996638

"The Nazi's? Nope, never even heard of them mate. Are they a punk metal band or something?"

 

[Guinness Boy]

You can’t just cancel people on the off-chance that they might have done something.

"I'm sorry Dr Shipman, I know it's only ONE pensioner but could we just take a look at your records?....."

 

[dazzer6666]

Crass, insensitive thing to do (wonder what the horse’s owners think ?)
.....but even more crass to make up a ridiculous excuse that anyone seeing the pic instantly knows is bullshit

Gets no sympathy from me.......wouldn’t be surprised to see a majority of owners take their horses elsewhere and for the Boards to chuck the book at him.

 

[JackB247]

Just been suspended by the BHA so won't be Elliott horses running at Cheltenham and Aintree.

Absolutely soul destroying to be honest to see so much damage done in one day to a sport I both work in and love. Can promise that the image is completely at odds with attitudes of 99.9% of people who work in horseracing.

Some pretty ill advised remarks about racing in general on here - can I suggest some of you read the Horse Welfare Board's plan, A Life Well Lived, which details how the sport is working to improve safety standards and reduce sad equine deaths.

 

[Mr Putdown]

It’s not a photo that I’d choose to pose in, but I genuinely can’t see what all the outrage is about.

The horse is dead, it apparently died of a heart attack, so he’s not causing it any further pain from its life as a racehorse.

I totally get the outrage about perceived cruelty in the sport, but that’s different.

 

[studio150]

Isn't that roughly the same proportion as the children Jimmy Savile met that he sexually assaulted?

Rather a blase attitude to dead horses by some on this thread. The spot of Kings, though so, perhaps I should jog on.


Edit from the Independent web site:

"The number of horse deaths on racecourses has now reached its highest level in six years, according to figures released by the British Horseracing Authority in January, with 201 out of 93,004 runners killed last year"

There are 380 EPM matches each season with, on average, 25 players used per game. That's 9,500 'runners' (men in a game) each season. In ten years that's 95,000 'runners'. Did 201 EPL players die on the pitch in the last 10 years? No, I think you'll find the number is none.

Still, horses, though? Who cares, eh?

So 0.216% of horses die in a year while racing.

A very low figure which I suspect is exceeded by chickens crossing the road.

 

[RossyG]

"I'm sorry Dr Shipman, I know it's only ONE pensioner but could we just take a look at your records?....."

If the police unearth evidence of wrongdoing, that’s a very different matter.

The poster was saying that we should assume guilt of various hypothetical crimes as the trainer looks the type that’d be up to no good.

Hardly the same thing!

 

[Iggle Piggle]

I would dispute that the “vast majority of people” in racing love horses. They certainly love the money and/or kudos that goes with being associated with a horse but that is nowhere near the same.

Your numbers regarding horse deaths is ingenuous as well, if we take the last ten years 5 horses died in the Grand National but even in the 8 years you chose 9 horses died on the Grand National Course. In any case for every horse that dies during a race many, many more die, are killed or are abandoned in the quest for the perfect runner. People who truly love horses would never treat them in the way they do.

As for the dream of becoming an unbeaten runner put out to stud - for every one of these thousands, if not tens of thousands, lead a far more miserable life.

My Twitter feed has a lot of racing on it and there is clearly a lot of love for the horses in their care. I'd agree that is the stable staff rather than the owners. I can't imagine Shiek Mohammed cares too much for those of his that run in a class 5 round Lingers given we can't find his daughter and its not a stretch of the imagination for some of the other owners or trainers too. Some people thought Micky Quinn was hard done by FFS.

At Cheltenham and Aintree they need to stop or lower numbers in the amateurs only races which, without delving into the numbers, is where the accidents seem to occur. The National Hunt chase is invariably a tough watch and the argument seems to be that the race has been that way for a long time which is no argument. Can racing do more? Of course it can. Has it make changes too slowly? Absolutely. It needs to take this issue, serious and quick though else it will be the beginning of the end.

 

[JC Footy Genius]

You can’t just cancel people on the off-chance that they might have done something.

The wonderful world of social media justice .... twitter mobs replacing a day out to the stocks/local hanging. Jon Ronson has covered this phenomenon in some depth, a bit lengthy but worth a watch IMO.

https://www.ted.com/talks/jon_ronson_when_online_shaming_goes_too_far?language=en

 

[dangull]

To be fair, horses do have a better life nowadays than the era of the cowboy v Injuns battles for example.
Not sure how this guy thinks this is funny or clever to pose like this on a photo though.