Kevin Blake
@kevinblake2011
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Horse racing pundit ( @AtTheRaces , @Betfair , @itvracing ), Race Planner for @JosephOBrien2 , breeder (), marathon runner and boxer.
Golden, Ireland
Joined April 2011
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There are no words. What a devastating tragedy. RIP Jack De Bromhead. 😔
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My phone is melting, so I just want to say a huge thanks to all that have got in touch. It’s a massive to buzz to hear from so many people that did the treble. I’m doing this long enough to know how very rare days like this are, so please forgive the trumpet! 🙂
@itvracing
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You may be interested to hear how an Animal Rising representative responded when I asked him on
@bbc5live
what their plan was for the 50,000 thoroughbreds in the UK if they achieved their goal of having horse racing banned. Very revealing indeed.
#StandUpForRacing
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Thanks for the kind words re this interview and to
@PiersUncensored
/
@Roolockwood
for having me. We are awful for squabbling amongst ourselves in this industry, but I'll you tell what, we have a breed, a sport and an industry that is worth uniting & fighting for.
@StandUp4Racing
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There will be lots of nice things said and written about Danny Mullins after his brilliant winning ride on Flooring Porter today, but here's a story from an interview with trainer John Ryan in the RP last year that stayed with me. Hard not to wish the best for a fella like this.
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Horse racing needed a hero after what was the most challenging year it has ever faced. Rachael Blackmore has stepped up to the mark and delivered results at Cheltenham and Aintree that feel incredibly important for the sport in the broadest sense. Today was simply sensational.
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When the sport needed a big lift, the Cheltenham Festival delivered! The game is far from perfect and we must keep pushing to make it better, but that was some serious sport this week. Human and equine heroes everywhere. What a joy to watch. 🙌
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Grand National day. For those of us that live and breathe the game, this day can be an emotional rollercoaster. Excitement, worry, elation, frustration, relief. In amongst all of it, don't forget one key truth. After the naysayers fire their arrows at our sport in the pursuit of…
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Say hello to Mrs Deirdre Blake! For obvious reasons we couldn’t celebrate the day with all of our family and friends, but yesterday this very special lady officially became my wife. Here’s to the future. 🙂
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You think you’ve seen it all in horse racing, then you see two rabbits getting caught in the act in the middle of a race at Dundalk. 🐇🐇
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Dramatic and indeed sad scenes at Fairyhouse. It was always going to be a big gamble to pop the question on a public stage like that, but in fairness to the lad, he bounced back quickly!
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Still utterly in awe at what we witnessed in the Mares’ Hurdle. The strength the de Bromhead family and their entire team have shown in the last six months has been incredible. Sport mirrors life and Honeysuckle channeled that strength today. Never known an atmosphere like it. 🥲
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Rachael Blackmore is just incredible, but where she came from makes it so much more remarkable. She turned pro in 2015 in her mid-20s after riding just seven winners in five years as an amateur. She was going no where. Who could have dreamed she'd end up here? She did.
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THAT is what National Hunt racing can be! That, somehow, exceeded all expectations. Huge credit to both sets of connections for making it happen. Two proper horses, but what a beast Shishkin is to overcome all that went wrong to grind it out. Magic!
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I went on
@SkyNews
this morning to discuss the Grand National with Ben Newman (yep, the chap that ran onto the track during the Derby last year). Very annoyed that I forgot to mention .
Thank you for having me on and being a fair referee,
@KayBurley
.
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I’m not really one for putting personal stuff on social media, but I asked
@DeeMoloney85
a very important question on Sunday night and got the answer I was hoping for. 💍💍 Thanks to everyone at
@CliffatLyons
that helped make it extra special. I’m a very lucky man. 🙂
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Hugely-emotional scenes as Ruby Walsh announces his retirement. In such a brutally-tough sport, to walk out at the very top on his own terms at the age of 40 is fantastic. With professionalism and mental strength to match his talent, we'll be a long time waiting for one like him.
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Unfortunately, I didn’t hear back from Sky News. HOWEVER, I was contacted by
@PiersUncensored
and will partake in a debate with one of the founders of the group planning to protest at Aintree on Saturday. Approx 8:25pm on
@TalkTV
. 🍿
@StandUp4Racing
@KayBurley
Good morning, Kay. If you are looking for someone to discuss the facts and practical realities of this subject in a sensible manner, I’d be more than happy to contribute. I have followed you and your team can feel free to DM me. Thank you.
@StandUp4Racing
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If the cabin fever is really getting to you, maybe bring a bag and pick some litter when you’re out for your daily walk. The roadsides are in a bad way in a lot of places and could do with the help.
#fillabagchallenge
#gloveup
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@KayBurley
Good morning, Kay. If you are looking for someone to discuss the facts and practical realities of this subject in a sensible manner, I’d be more than happy to contribute. I have followed you and your team can feel free to DM me. Thank you.
@StandUp4Racing
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This really is the most incredible of sports. It can have you floating on air one minute, then boot you right in the guts the next. This week has been very full-on at both ends of the scale. Despite the lows, there is no better sport than this. Long may it prosper.
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Brilliant to hear from so many people that had a few quid on an Irish 1-2-3-4 in the Grand National, but once again the whole thing is 100 times more pleasurable thanks to the reaction of my favourite sparring partner
@MCYeeehaaa
! 🤣🎺
@itvracing
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Back at the Breeders' Cup in 2009, Lillie Langtry was misbehaving and hurt her rider just before morning exercise, so her trainer Aidan O'Brien jumped on and rode her out. 13 years later, Aidan has saddled her daughter Tuesday to win the Filly & Mare Turf!
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Very sad to lose Special Tiara today. There have of course been better two-mile chasers, but not many took the breath away over a fence as often as he did. Here he is at Kempton a few years ago taking off in one parish and landing in another. Gutted for his connections.
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If everyone that thinks fireworks are great craic was made to sit and watch the impact they have on the animals they terrify, they might think twice about whether some sparkles and loud bangs are worth it. I’m a hard fella to properly wind up, but this really does it. 😡
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Floored by this. A world-class jockey, but more importantly a world-class man. The selflessness and bravery he showed during his illness was remarkable and inspired so many. So sorry for Frances, his children Hannah, Paddy, Sarah and all his family/friends. RIP Pat.
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Performance of the week so far? The outstanding
@RichardHoiles
finding time in one of the busiest weeks of the year to debate a PETA representative and put him right on our behalf. Thank you, Richard.
#StandUpForRacing
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The words hero and legend get overused all the time, but as racehorses go, Tiger Roll couldn't fit those bills any better. Incredible longevity, an unbelievable CV and what a way to bow out with a huge run on the biggest stage. Thanks for the memories, Tiger. 🐯
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Today was the day we were to be married. Alas, such is life in lockdown. Disappointed, but we have our health, our families and our friends. Some day, hopefully in the not-too-distant future, we’ll all be able to come together to celebrate our day. She won’t get away that easy!🙂
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Wow!!! 86-year-old legend John Kiely combines with 18-year-old John Gleeson to win the Champion Bumper on A Dream To Share, bred and raised by the winning jockey’s father Brian. The Gleeson and Kiely families are very close, this will mean so much to them all. Fairy tale stuff!
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An invigorating, pulsating, sport-affirming week has come to an end at Cheltenham. Constitution Hill and Galopin Des Champs were sensational and may reign for many years to come, but the scenes the Mares' Hurdle produced will live on for decades. So much more than a horse race.
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Four years on from one of the great Cheltenham Preview moments! Down in Un De Sceaux country in Glanmire, his owner Colm O'Connell said he was worried that Cheltenham wasn't getting enough rain to suit him. So,
@_Davy_Russel_
decided to ring a hotel there for a weather update...
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This lad has been confined to his stable for the vast majority of his first two weeks due to the rotten weather. Great to give him a chance to stretch his legs this morning. 🙂
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The legendary Tommy Kinane, 85-year-old former jockey and father of the great Mick Kinane, showing off athleticism that most lads a quarter of his age would struggle with! Video courtesy of his granddaughter Heleena Waltham.
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We have a new resident on the farm. An Irish stoat! He makes an appearance most days and we’ve seen him carrying off all sorts of vermin. A quirky alternative to a yard cat!
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Grand National day.
For us that live and breathe horse racing, this day can be an emotional roller coaster. Excitement, nerves, elation, upset, frustration, relief.
In amongst all of it, don't forget one key truth. The annual naysayers will fire their shots at our sport in…
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I'll tell you what, after what has been the toughest year that the horse racing has had in decades, the last two days have been exactly what the sport needed. They will remind an awful lot of people why they fell in love with racing. I can't wait to get back to the track! 🏇
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This was only 17 years ago, but it feels like a completely different era. The best taking on the best at Sandown in December. Everyone living in the moment rather than focusing on Cheltenham. Listen to the roar!! We can get back here, but change is needed.
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What an incredible ambassador Tiger Roll is for our great sport. His career has been remarkable, but what he did today was truly special. As well as the accolades for him, Davy and Gordon, don’t forget about
@donoghue_keith
. He has played a huge role in this story.
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Happy retirement to Un De Sceaux. There have been more talented horses than him, but very, very few have shown the longevity and consistency at the very highest level that he did. A proper character and the horse of a lifetime for
@OConnellGroup
.
#legend
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Attendance at the Dublin Racing Festival was 34,591, up 40% from 24,929 last year. 27% of all tickets were purchased from the UK. Absolutely fantastic! A meeting that focuses on quality over quantity really engages the National Hunt audience. Well done all.
@LeopardstownRC
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Disingenuous lies. This very small group of extremists showed their true colours this week both in terms of their real goals and criminal recklessness. Hopefully the media outlets that have been so willing to have them on will now stop giving them the attention they so crave.
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This week's column: Thinking outside the box in pursuit of a new audience for horse racing. RTs appreciated.
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Absolutely thrilled with this! So many people to thank, but I'd like to use this platform to give my utmost gratitude to everyone that has read, shared and engaged with my articles over the years. Without you, I'd be nowhere. The retweets really are appreciated!!
Winner! ’s
@kevinblake2011
is Specialist Writer of the Year at the
@HorseraceMedia
#DerbyAwards2019
! 🎉🎉
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If ever one race summed up how absolutely mental this great sport can be, that was it! Wild, wild stuff!
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I often get frustrated that leaders in horse racing don't stand up strongly enough for our sport when it is attacked, often via misinformation. Today was one of those days. I'll be working with
@StandUp4Racing
to try and redress the balance. Please give us a follow.
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Remember that time a drunk female racegoer hopped the fence into the parade ring at Bellewstown and rode off on a horse? Crazy!
She ended up getting six months in prison, but has since turned her life around and is now a two-time champion jockey in Azerbaijan. What a sport!
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Who recovered better, Rachael and Gin On Lime today, or Ruby and Killultagh Vic back in 2016?? Staggering athleticism/balance from both. 🤯
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One of the few things that seems to unite Racing Twitter is a love of foals with big ears, so here is a fine filly by Gleneagles with a mighty pair of lugs at just one day old. 👌
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The first foal of the year arrived here last night. A belter of a colt by my old friend Dandy Man out of a winning daughter of Montjeu. Fair play to both for playing the game by posing so well for the camera! 🙂
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A remarkable story at Limerick as 66-year-old Liam Burke (father of jockey Johnny Burke) has trained/ridden Teuchters Glory to win the bumper. Liam made a comeback as a jockey in 2021 and this is his first win in the saddle since May 1988 (12,723 days!).
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I went back on
@PiersUncensored
with
@Roolockwood
this evening to discuss the threat of illegal protests at Epsom this Saturday with a representative of the protest group. Many of her views contradicted those given by another of their reps in this piece.
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Very excited to be a small part of the
@itvracing
team for the Cheltenham Festival. Unfortunately, travelling to the track wasn’t an option, so via the wonders of technology I’ll be broadcasting from my big green chair in Golden! Here’s hoping for a great week for the sport.
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Massive day. Very important to get off to a positive start. Then, this.
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We did it! 3:42.30 and even managed a small kick at the end. Thanks so much to
@trevcummins
, his wife Vicki and my own
@DeeMoloney85
for being on my shoulder all the way. There’s still time to donate to
@InjuredJockeys
!
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To get an idea of how remarkable it is that Edwulf is alive, never mind winning the Irish Gold Cup, this detailed account of what he went through at Cheltenham last year is essential reading:
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Glendalough. Another one for the “how in the name of jaysus had I never been here before” file. This is an unbelievable country. So much to see and do on our doorsteps and plenty of us take it for granted.
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This smasher of a filly by Holy Roman Emperor was born on Sunday. Already an inquisitive lady. 👌
#goldenfarm
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And there’s much more to come. Genuinely blown away and somewhat overwhelmed by the depth of support that
@StandUp4Racing
has received in less than a week. This game is generally a bad spot for an optimist, but I think this could develop into something really impactful. 🤞
We are delighted to announce that the latest addition to our Stand Up For Racing media representation team is
@nickluck
. Nick is one of the very best racing broadcasters anywhere in the world. We are thrilled to have him on the team.
#StandUpForRacing
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Welcome to Ballydoyle.
Don’t show this to Richard Newland, it might ruin his day.
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What a fabulous horse race! That is the most tactical adversity that Enable has ever had to face in a race. It didn't go to plan at all, but it didn't matter. Cherish her. Enjoy every second of her. She is very, very special.
#enable
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Plenty of well-deserved praise for Jim Bolger, but don't forget about Kevin Manning. He is 53 years of age and has worked for Bolger since he was 15. A tall man, for him to have such a long career is a serious testament to his discipline and professionalism.
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The FOBT max stake being reduced to £2 is a great result for British society. While likely to lead to some short-term hardship for both racing and bookmakers, it was the right decision. Those within racing that campaigned against the reduction should hang their heads in shame.
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The snigger from
@MCYeeehaaa
at the start of this really sets it off lovely! 🙌😂
Mrs Milner at 33/1! A long-range Cheltenham Festival shout for the ages!
What was your biggest priced winner earlier this week?
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I put the Dandy Man foal into a different paddock today and he’s already found a new way to entertain himself!
#borntorun
#turnonasixpence
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All of us can be ambassadors for horse racing this week and every week. Arm yourself with the facts via and away you go. And if anyone says thoroughbreds are much safer out in fields than in training, hit them with this one:
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Three years ago, I ran my first marathon and had a rough experience. After eight months of training and losing 2.5 stone, I’m ready for a rematch! I’m running on July 12th and am raising funds for
@InjuredJockeys
. Any RTs/donations are greatly appreciated.
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Not even 36 hours old, yet look how friendly this Kodi Bear colt is! Temperament matters and he couldn’t be sweeter. He’s the first foal out of a Caravaggio mare and he’ll end up as a grey too (the grey hair around his eyes gives it away). I’m very sweet on Kodi Bear as a sire.
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A lot of dreams, sweat and tears have gone into developing Golden Farm in the last decade or so. In advance of the launch of a new website for the farm later this month, here is a look at the journey so far.
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The Coral Gold Cup takes place at Newbury tomorrow. Every year around this time, the memories of Denman's performance in the 2009 renewal come flooding back. Returning from a disappointing season, running off a rating of 174 under 11-12 and he delivers this. Awe inspiring.
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Thanks so much for all the tweets. Ventura Tormenta is one hardy colt! Still can’t believe it. Huge congrats to
@rhannonracing
and
@MprUpdates
. Midnight Oasis has been the most incredible mare, an absolute dream. That’s her and her colt foal by Camacho this evening.
#legend
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The temperatures picked up a bit here today, so the foals were turned out for the first time. The Acclamation colt wasn’t long finding his feet, this was only about a minute after he stepped foot on grass for the first time!
#allaction
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Can’t have that decision. Fury outboxed him all the way and two knockdowns aren’t enough to cancel that out. How could anyone score it 115-111 Wilder?! Great fight though, Fury’s ability to recover is unbelievable. Looking forward to the rematch.
#WilderFury
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Jockeys being needlessly put in avoidable danger, results being unfairly impacted, highly-valuable fillies being bashed around like bumper cars. Who actually benefits from the ridiculously lenient approach to the stewarding of interference in Britain and Ireland? 🤷♂️
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Interference has taken place, but no horse came down and you’d have to say the best horse on the day won. Results stands and (*sticks finger in the air)… Three days for careless riding for the lad that finished second.
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This point from the debate last night is an important one that can be used whenever the subject of racing-related risk is raised. For information, the insurance quote I was given was 3.25% of value for a yearling at grass and 3.5% for a two-year-old in training/racing.
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The entries for the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle at the
@punchestownrace
Festival are in and
@paddypower
have announced a €100k bonus for any British-trained winner of the race. Come on
@sevenbarrows
, let's do this! This is how legends are made. The Queen versus The Machine!
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It’s so rare to get two top-class chasers that are unbeaten and untested over fences squaring off against each other like this. This could be the start of an epic rivalry. Spread the word, gather your friends, 15:35 on Saturday, don’t miss it!! 🙌
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A sad day for us yesterday. Midnight Oasis passed away during surgery after suffering a bout of colic. She had been here on Golden Farm for over 15 years and was very special to us. Both her and her progeny gave a lot of joy to a lot of people. Very lucky to have had her. 😔
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State Of Rest!! Endless veterinary hoops to jump through, travels 20,000km to get there, weeks of training by himself in quarantine in Werribee, wins the Cox Plate and survives the stewards!! What a horse, what a team, what a story! I love Australia! 🇮🇪
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This week's column: The stewarding of the interference rules in Britain and Ireland has to change before there is a tragedy. RTs appreciated.
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In amongst all the usual furore around the Grand National, whenever you read or hear someone saying “They only care about racehorses as long as they can make them money”, show them this video. A wonderfully powerful story.
@TheJockeyClub
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Very sad to hear of John McCririck’s passing. A huge personality that wasn’t easy to agree with, but he knew the media game and played it very well. Working with him on camera was a genuine thrill. Off camera, he was a gentleman. My thoughts are with Jenny and all his family.
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Foal
#2
arrived on Friday night and it was a very important one. A colt by Sea The Stars out of Sweet Affection. I should try to play it cool, but I can’t tell you how exciting it is to have a Sea The Stars on the farm! A huge thrill for all involved in Golden Farm Thoroughbreds.
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Big news at Galway as Kevin Manning announces his retirement from the saddle after riding Vocal Studies to victory. 55 years of age, he has worked for Jim Bolger since he was 15. A notably tall man for a jockey, his career has been a testament to his dedication and discipline.
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We had a tough one here yesterday morning, as we lost a foal at birth. Today was a better day, as Rush gave birth to a healthy colt by Dark Angel just before the first race at Cheltenham. This game is some roller coaster. Just keep kicking.
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Enable didn't look herself there to me. She didn't carry Frankie with the enthusiasm that we are accustomed to in the early stages. She just looked flat. So disappointing, but what a mare she has been. If this is her swansong, it has been an absolute pleasure to watch her career.
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The canine version of Special Tiara winging fences around Kempton! 🚀🚀
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So ends a magical week at Royal Ascot. Hundreds of thousands of people thronging to this magnificent stage to watch these awe-inspiring animals fulfil the dreams that created them. Imagine anyone thinking they have a chance of bringing this to an end? May it forever prosper.
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You are never too far away from a thoroughbred in Ireland. Went for a walk around Stradbally Cove in Waterford and came across this picturesque scene. 🙌
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The 2.5% share in Flightline just sold for $4.6m at Keeneland! 🤯
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They don’t always behave themselves. Yep, right in the goolies. 😳
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I can’t be the only one that finds it incredibly perverse that top stallion prospects worth 10s of millions (eg Paddington and Auguste Rodin) are often campaigned with more rigour, adventure and less fear of defeat than top National Hunt horses these days? 🤷♂️
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Great excitement here on Saturday morning with Midnight Oasis giving birth to a healthy colt foal by Starspangledbanner. A half-brother to George Bowen et al. He was very sure-footed here considering this was his first time in the paddock!
#dreaming
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This was the first race at Naas today. The rider of the runner-up got a four-day ban for careless riding. Four days. What kind of carnage would have to ensue for Irish/British stewards to pass down a verdict of dangerous riding? This obscenely lenient stewarding won’t end well.
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