Make the most of the horses at the racecourse

AHEAD of any big sporting events the main protaganists are given leave to be prepared for combat away from the camera and public eye. Racehorses are no different in being saddled well away from public viewing – many are highly strung and a race can be lost even before they enter the parade ring proper.

But watching the interest spectators had in the Derby and Oaks runners at the Curragh, you wonder are racecourses making the most of the facility.

At both our premier flat racecourses, Leopardstown and the Curragh, where we see the well-known top horses, the best viewing spaces along the pre-parade ring are soon taken and it’s difficult to see from the second row. Some form of steps or graduated incline would be a help, especially where children are concerned. It can be interesting to listen to the interest shown by younger racegoers while watching the preparations.

More and more of the TV presenters are broadcasting from inside and up close to the runners pre-race. At the Curragh for the Irish Derby and Oaks, both At The Races and RTE has presenters in the pre-parade ring. Again you saw more at home than at the racecourse.

It would be an extra attraction for newcomers to a race meeting to see the horses being prepared but it seems an area that is often overlooked.

Minding misfortune

THE unfortunate retirement of Minding, who was one of the best and most popular Group 1 flat horses in her short career, shows how delicate it is to keep a top-class, competitively raced, horse in training for a third season.

For all the calls for horses to race on at four, so many of those who are kept in training fail to make it to the end of their third season.

In the US there was joy a few years ago when the Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra stayed in training but she was simply nothing like the same horse in her third season.

Moment of

the week

WE had fitting classic displays at the Curragh and Group 1 speed at Newmarket but the most enjoyable race of the week came last Friday evening watching Rashaan fly the last two hurdles (photo A26) at Cork to rally and beat the favourite Pique Sous. The chesnut is a credit to all concerned.