General Chat

[Craigy14]

Like others I feel this might just be the beginning.....really really hope I’m wrong.

But like anything that comes out of a distasteful nature, once one comes forward or releases they all do and rightly so. The fact this is potentially going on behind the scenes of the sport is embarrassing and sad. Yes it will likely be a few isolated incidents but the ramifications for racing will be huge!

People should never be acting in this fashion whether it’s for “a laugh” with the boys or they are just a bit of a c**t.

Let’s hope anything brought out this week and what is already out there is dealt with swiftly and the guilty parties punished accordingly. Then we can try to move on and enjoy Cheltenham but part of me feels the damage has already been done in that respect.

[Carnage at Taunton]

I strongly disagree. Thousands of people who love, care for and respect horses rely on the industry to survive. Why should they be punished because of the deplorable actions of a few people? They shouldn’t. Name, shame, punish strongly, absolutely, but shutting down the sport is absolutely not the way to go.

I think it’s entirely possible that a full investigation will take place across the whole business and it may be that a shutdown whilst that happens is the only way to do that. In the long term it may be the best thing, and we just have to suffer for a bit.
This ain’t going away and looks to be getting worse.
It has to be addressed quickly,firmly and properly.

[charlie]

I think it’s entirely possible that a full investigation will take place across the whole business and it may be that a shutdown whilst that happens is the only way to do that. In the long term it may be the best thing, and we just have to suffer for a bit.
This ain’t going away and looks to be getting worse.
It has to be addressed quickly,firmly and properly.

There is absolutely no evidence to suggest a shutdown is required to investigate this properly. Thousands of innocent people who love horses rely on this sport to put food on the table, and racing is already on its knees. I defy anyone to tell me punishing the masses and making them 'suffer for a bit' because of a few idiotic morons constitutes as addressing this 'properly'.

[Milbear0]

Surely the issue raised here is a PR one?

Whilst shocking to the onlooker, gallows humour is a tool used in dealing with the morbid issue at hand. It has always existed within abattoirs and no doubt farmyards as well.

The content of this media seeping into the limelight is indefensible, and will cause so much disillusionment and discomfort to onlookers far and wide but it’s imperative we take a balanced view before demanding that the industry be shut down pending an investigation into the levels of respect shown to the corpses of animals.

[Hurricane fly]

A full sport shut down is an ludicrous idea, however it is the sort of dangerous idea that gathers moment on social media from the cancel crowd.

Why would you punish Ruth Jefferson for example over actions that have absolutely nothing to do with her and her stable. A full shutdown would kill the sport in one foul swoop.

[Overturn]

I can only echo the thoughts of others here. Such a sorry episode and like many it has absolutely dampened my enthusiasm for the best week of the year.

With regards to punishment for GE I honestly don’t know the answer. I am very much one for giving second chances and I’m sure Gordon will get one- however the damage he has done to the sport makes me think he deserves everything he gets and more - respect is hard earned and easily lost and yesterday, I had two conversations with family members that rarely mention horse racing that have come across this story - the ‘ treated like kings’ line is not a line any of can use to defend the sport for the forseeable..

From a selfish point of view, I have big early positions on Envoi like a lot on here and like many a large number of Elliott handicap horses. I don’t know about anyone else but this episode has left me feeling so flat that 1, I have no inclination to see what the damage would be if the worst happens and horses don’t run and 2, no enthusiasm to cover my position in certain races - I just feel completely flat.

The main thing is that this is addressed properly and with time the sport can move forward again.

[Eggs]

Yeah video is shocking and I’d imagine that would be a possible end to Rob James

....looks like he has a ride in the Bumper today, be interesting if he takes that up.

Sitting astride a dead horse for a photo could be a ‘thing’ in some yards. If it is, I imagine there’s a few nervous people about in racing.

[Tangodelta]

This has been a complete S**t show and is only getting worse with the Kevin James video being circulated. The anti horse racing folk will continually use these images for years to come and you can’t really have a counter argument as the acts are deplorable and indefensible.

If he is allowed to retain his license which I find unlikely he will still lose the superstars he has now. The Cheveley Park Stud horses are currently being found new homes with Mullins and deBromhead at least those are the rumours circulating. I can’t see the Nolan’s or Robcour sticking around either. Gigginstown may move some horses so they can run at Cheltenham and Aintree but they are winding their operation down so may use this to accelerate that plan.

That moment of stupidity will cause his world to crumble around him he could have weathered the storm of the videos of his mistress and wife fighting or the bar he set up in the stable but not this.

I’m not adding anything new to this conversation as others have already voiced their opinions which I agree with.

[doctorwu]

It's an awful disgraceful picture, but I am surprised at how shocked / devastated people are in comparison to the Charles Byrnes story a few weeks before. In terms of context, someone drugging a live horse and jeopardising the lives of all horses and humans in a calculated attempt to make a few quid is way worse than what Gordon did. In terms of animal welfare and animal safety it comfortably eclipsed what Gordon did. I stand 100% behind horses being afforded the same dignity in life and in death, but I wonder if those commenting on Gordons treatment of animals today were condemning the incident in the same vein a few weeks ago? They weren't, not even close, which shows us how powerful a picture like that can be. Gordon's actions will have wide reaching implications for the sport we all love and he deserves to be punished and he will be, but you'd be forgiven for thinking Gordon pistol whipped the horse mid gallop, shot it, then posed for a photo as if celebrating a safari kill given some of the comments people are making. It was deplorable moment, but it was the actions of one reckless idiotic man. I'm not letting Covid ruin Cheltenham, nor will I let Gordon. He will be punished, my guess is severely, and then that will be the end of it.

Finally some sanity. Well said Charlie.

[Craigy14]

Just want to add also, those that think the people taking the videos and pictures are innocent in all this need to take their head out the sand.

They are 100% part of the problem. Yes the person in the photo/video is responsible for their actions but as can be seen from the video he is clearly being egged on and the 4/5 of them laughing and joking. This is likely the same in the Elliott picture but he will have his chance to defend what he has said happened.

These people clearly think it’s a great laugh and a joke to photograph/video such distasteful content and then not report it highlights they feel it’s probably “banter”.

[Carnage at Taunton]

There is absolutely no evidence to suggest a shutdown is required to investigate this properly. Thousands of innocent people who love horses rely on this sport to put food on the table, and racing is already on its knees. I defy anyone to tell me punishing the masses and making them 'suffer for a bit' because of a few idiotic morons constitutes as addressing this 'properly'.

Morning Charlie
Its why i used words like possible and may be, im just summising mate. I dont want to see any shutdown, and no one looks forward to the festival more than me.
I just want it sorted quickly, and to be honest i would take anything right now for that !!
Seeing that photo was awful, and i was thinking ok a one off type thing,it will get dealt with,now the video has really got me concerned for our sport and whats coming out next!!
I sincerely hope we can carry on with racing and have the festival, god if ever we all deserved a pick me up, then this year we do!!
I am worried though mate.

[doctorwu]

Full investigation, lockdown.......Please.
Lets lock everyone up who enjoys a bit of racing & a bet. Maybe find a vaccine for those naughty disreputable peeps who enjoy a drink & a bet.

Less of the deflection. It might be a good idea if some on here look closer to home and get their own sh*t in order before sending someone to the gallows.

[Splinterboy82]

It’s late and I can’t sleep and my mind is racing away. So excuse the rant/moan/speech or whatever this is but I need to get it out.

The excitement about the festival has almost completely gone for me in these last few hours. I can’t sleep but for the thought of that video. I don’t know what to say. It’s hard enough at uni having people against the sport and trying my best to educate but I spent today on four occasions explaining it’s one isolated horrible incident that had been photographed. And now we appear to have some multi-yard leaks incoming. How can we defend that? We can’t. It’s not possible.

I feel sad for the sport but also for the fact that there could be more still to come. It’s really sad. Maybe I’m being OTT but this video is the lowest I’ve felt regarding horse racing ever before.

This sums up exactly how I feel. I’m 38, been doing ante post & getting excited for Cheltenham months / year in advance since I was 18. Never felt so low about NH racing. I’ve got a family & kids now who have their own pony on a livery yard. Can’t even comprehend how racing people feel about this let alone the general public. If it wasn’t a niche sport already, it is now. Terrible stuff

[charlie]

Morning Charlie
Its why i used words like possible and may be, im just summising mate. I dont want to see any shutdown, and no one looks forward to the festival more than me.
I just want it sorted quickly, and to be honest i would take anything right now for that !!
Seeing that photo was awful, and i was thinking ok a one off type thing,it will get dealt with,now the video has really got me concerned for our sport and whats coming out next!!
I sincerely hope we can carry on with racing and have the festival, god if ever we all deserved a pick me up, then this year we do!!
I am worried though mate.

I don't think speed should feature in this at all. Suspensions should be introduced to allow a full and thorough investigation. It has to be thorough. They cannot rush to appease the baying mob.

Of course we will carry on with racing and the festival. There are disgusting people in most sports / walks of life. Talk of shut down / stopping racing is complete and utter nonsense, so don't worry

[Nortons who]

Looking back a couple of days and lthen forward to the months of March and April, this could be one of the most significant periods in the modern era for defining whether NH Racing survives or starts a rapid decline into oblivion.

This might seem like a doomsayers exaggeration and I sincerely hope it is but part of me now feels that we could be on the top of a very slippery slope with few realistic options of stopping safely.

For the sake of thr sport, in my opinion GE will be given a very strong puishment to help assuage public opinion. Any leniency here and the people who are leaking this information, pictures and videos will just put more effort into what is seemingly becoming an orchestrated campaign.

Very soon we need some high profile trainers to come out publicly and condemn what GE and others have done, otherwise their silience will be treated as acceptance rather than condemnation.

In my opinion, how ITV deals with this issue on Saturday could be a defining moment. They could either stoke the fires or help to put them out depending on how they portray this, who the flag bearers are (Fitzy again would be good again but they need some trainers and stable staff, as well as Briony). Also and I'm loathe to think it let alone write it here but there must be an outside chance that ITV could start to think again whether or not to televise NH racing. The last few days will have significantly eroded the good job which ITV has clearly been doing over the past few years to enhance the profile of NH racing.

I said up front that March and April could be key months and that's very much on the basis that anti NH racing activisits will be using both Cheltenham and Aintree to publicise their cause, especially if there are ongoing high profile incidents or a high number of fatalaties at either meeting. Maybe its sctually a good thing that there will be no crowds attending this year, which hopefully will minimise the chances of on course demonstrations.

I hope I'm way off the mark here but I fear I may not be.