Merry Christmas. Anyway on to the important stuff. St Stephen's Day selections:
Limerick
Rebel Ivy 14/1 e/w
Kempton
3:40 Marie's Rock 15/2 e/w
Treble: Fil Dor, Ferny Hollow & Epatante
The King George is a puzzle. Maybe Tornado Flyer can pick up the pieces if they go too fast.
Approximately 10,000 people attended the Student Racedays at Limerick and Leopardstown.
11,300 people attended the Irish Derby last year.
Long live Student Racedays.
Whilst I'm really looking forward to the Dublin Racing Festival, the NH season has been underwhelming. There's simply an unhealthy focus on Cheltenham. I'm tired of the conservative campaigning of horses, as well the 'antepost mindset'. There's more to NH racing than 4 days.
Cheltenham thoughts 👇
Supreme
A leap of faith required with Facile Vega and price skimpy now. Marine Nationale a class act, but don't like his prep. Tahmuras can't jump and High Definition could bomb out. Il Etait Temps a cracking e/w bet at 6s.
The calibre of horse that Gordon Elliott has lost and the damage to his reputation/career is punishment enough. A ban will probably will be imposed too. I really do feel sorry for him and his staff. It was a big mistake, but does not define him or the team at Cullentra.
500 people here Thursday to Saturday for the races. Tickets sold out very quickly, leaving many people disappointed
40k at the All-Ireland yesterday. We need to get more people back racing
I think it's reasonable to ask for an attendance of 1,500 to 2,000 people.
Who is your horse to follow for the NH season?
To avoid the obvious I have 3 conditions:
1. Cannot have run at Cheltenham Festival
2. Cannot have won a bumper or point to point
3. Not trained by WP Mullins
Dissertation ✅️
Delighted to have completed this piece of work. Managed to sneak in a few mentions of
@TCDHorseRacing
and
@KillarneyRaces
.
Summer is getting ever closer 😊
The BHA jumped the gun and now realise their mistake. In a time of rumours and uncertainty, the BHA only made matters worse. Forced owners to make quick decisions. Should have just waited for the IHRB judgement, but I know that's easy for me to say now.
BHA welfare chief: it is our intention to get the best horses to Cheltenham
Regulator says horses currently based with Gordon Elliott should be able to run 👇
I'll never forget the 2016 Grand National. I backed Rule The World at 50/1 and Vics Canvas at 100/1. To have the 1st and 3rd in the National is an unreal feeling. Thought I had mastered the game at 14 😂
#GrandNational
Fantastic coverage and promotion of Irish racing from
@racingblogger
over the last few weeks. Pleasure to speak with him for a bit after racing. Great day
@LeopardstownRC
.
Merry Christmas. Anyway on to the important stuff. St Stephen's Day selections:
Limerick
Rebel Ivy 14/1 e/w
Kempton
3:40 Marie's Rock 15/2 e/w
Treble: Fil Dor, Ferny Hollow & Epatante
The King George is a puzzle. Maybe Tornado Flyer can pick up the pieces if they go too fast.
Cheltenham Preview Night this Thursday at 8 in Murphy's Pub Rathmines, Dublin. Top panel and some nice raffle prizes. All proceeds to the Meningitis Research Foundation. Can purchase your ticket on the night or here: .
Rts and likes appreciated ❤️👍🏇
Incredible response to this video. Christian is now on Twitter. Make sure to give him a follow 👉
@Christi31114994
.
I think we need to get Christian on
@itvracing
💥 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT
I've organised a Cheltenham Preview Night! It's in aid of the
@M_R_F
. I'm climbing Kilimanjaro for the charity next August and hope to raise over €4000
I'm delighted with the panel. Should be a great night. Rts appreciated
Tickets:
Really good content by Stephen. I think he deserves more credit for his promotion of racing. There's a lot of begrudery out there but he's working his socks off. Fair play to him.
#racing
Some seriously talented young flat jockeys in Ireland. Gavin Ryan, Oisín Orr, Andy Slattery, Ben Coen, Shane and Nathan Crosse, Joey Sheridan, Mickey and Danny Sheehy, Dylan Browne McMonagle etc.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could give
@racing_student
a follow. It's a new website/publication that
@Rob_Tolan
and I have set up. We hope to encourage college students and the younger demographic to engage in racing journalism. Stay tuned for updates 👍.
Just about recovered after a great weekend. Leopardstown is a fantastic racecourse. Amazing crowds and nice mix of people. €3 racecard, €6 pint, €3 tayto sandwich 👍. A positive experience. El Fabiolo impressed me the most. Would like to see more UK runners. Long live the DRF.
Faugheen has been phenomenal this season. I was fortunate to be at Limerick and Leopardstown for his two Grade 1s this year. Patrick Mullins' flying dismount and old men running to the parade ring are scenes that will live long in the memory. This could be all be topped today
I thoroughly enjoyed
@jhracingcomm
's commentary for the Andy Dufresne vs Captain Guinness duel. If you don't get excited by two top class 2 mile hurdlers battling it out, then find a different sport. Take a look back at Dessie Schaill's Jezki vs Hurricane Fly calls.
Sea The Stars had the full package. He was blessed with speed, stamina, balance and a great mind. John Oxx managed him beautifully and maintained his form throughout the season.
🥇 2000 Guineas
🥇 Derby
🥇 Eclipse
🥇 Irish Champions Stakes
🥇 Arc
I was doing a bit of research yesterday evening for a college assignment.
Irish Derby attendances at the Curragh:
2005: 47,000
2015: 25,000
2022: 11,000
Staggering.
Now that the dust has settled somewhat, it's time for a Cheltenham recap.
Supreme
Marine Nationale is a Ferrari and would love to see him run on the flat. Thought Townend went a bit too soon on Facile Vega, but best horse won anyway.