Long shot scores for footballers' syndicate

WE concluded the 2010 season in high spirits at Hexham last Sunday when Dougall romped home by 25 lengths. He is affectionately known as Banana at home due to his elongated shape, common in many horses sired by Oscar, his father.

The trainer, Jonjo O'Neil, once told me his best "Oscar" horses were those with an extra rib "dey may look odd but dey usually gallop forever" he explained in his soft Cork accent. "Dem dat look de part are normally useless", he chuckled.

I remembered his words when I first saw Banana in my yard last January. He had been spotted in a field near Tipperary by an ex-trainer who owns a few with us. Unbroken and thin as a rake, the horse arrived in the yard a few weeks later. The purchaser is a shrewd judge of a horse, so we trusted his judgment and began getting the sorry-looking creature fit, well and raceable. A few months later the newly formed syndicate arrived to look at their racehorse acquisition.

Three immaculately turned out fashionistos turned up and stood looking uncomfortably out of place in their spotless white sneakers. Feeling slightly underdressed, I shook their baby-soft hands and introduced myself. "And what do you guys do for a living?" I asked.

"Play football", one replied, his piercing blue eyes momentarily distracting me. "Oh great" I said pulling myself back to earth, imagining he meant for the local sports club or trendy gym they worked out at.

My blissful ignorance continued while we watched the newly-named Banana canter and I explained the plans I had for him. After a tour of the gallops and a trip to the local hostelry for a few drinks (non-alcoholic – they had a match on the next day) I left the guys excitedly talking tactics.

It was only while chatting to Tom, my brother, a few days later I happened to mention the new owners who liked to kick a ball around.

When I told him their names he nearly dropped the phone. "They only play for the best team ever", he shouted, "Leeds United. I hope you asked if I could meet them and if they'd give me their autograph…and I can't get tickets to the match on Saturday…wait till I tell my mates, they'll never believe this."

Obviously I had to apologies the next time I spoke to the new owners for my ignorance regarding football. Their response? "Actually we really enjoyed it, for once we were just ourselves, normal guys who arrived in your yard.

"People always have an opinion on football and us – its nice to escape sometimes."

As sportsmen they can understand the training regimes and injury risks.

I held an end of season picnic for all the owners at Cartmel Races on Wednesday. The temperature soared and the drink flowed at a strong pace.

The Hunter Chase was oversubscribed, from 40 entries only nine went to post due to the limited stabling capacity which always causes problems there.

There were 112 hunter chase races scheduled in 2010, those runners took

up spaces horses in the professional races could have had, thus reducing the number allowed to run in other races scheduled that day.

Why should this happen when there is a logical way to solve the problem?

If all courses with less than 95 stables had a secure wagon park, the hunter chasers could remain there, leaving stabling free for runners in the other races.

The BHA admit this would work. They are so doggedly unenthusiastic about hunter chasing that unless we push for such action these races will certainly disappear from the racing calendar in a short time.

CW 5/6/10