Cup Final was Sat May 9th, Lockinge was Friday May 15th. Only thing I can think of off the top of my head was that the Lockinge was a a Group Two in those days becoming a Group One in 1995. Maybe that's why they moved it to a Saturday ?
"The owls are not what they seem"
The link below is to an entertaining and very honest interview done recently by Pat Smullen with Kevin Blake. I can think of certain other jockeys who wouldn’t have taken kindly to Kevin’s line of questioning. Today is Pat’s birthday. May there be many more of them.
https://soundcloud.com/user-275456286/racingonly-bettor-lockdown-lowdown-pat-smullen-speecial
Last edited by Grey; 22nd May 2020 at 1:34 PM.
Diamond Geezer (22nd May 2020)
Well I can’t imagine Sir Anthony, or even Ruby, taking kindly to being asked to discuss what they thought were their worst rides. How long would it be before either would start asking Blake how many winners had he ridden?
Surely when you get to a certain level within your profession any interview questions are agreed beforehand?
Illegitimi non carborundum
Listened to about twenty minutes of it and turned it off. Found it painful Blake trying to be funny on about high elbows etc. Is there any racing/betting podcast that isn't painful these days?
Agreed DO. But how many interviewers would even dare suggest such questions to certain jockeys?
Last edited by Grey; 23rd May 2020 at 11:16 AM.
It was hardly Lydia Hislop vs McCoy?
Blake’s apprenticeship on the Ff podcast showing, every question put in half-jokey form.
I think plenty would dare suggest them but not many interviewees would agree to them.
It's one of the reasons I favour interviews in the immediate aftermath of a race while the jockey is still in a state of elation. They sometimes say things they wouldn't in a rehearsed interview.
Illegitimi non carborundum
It would be inappropriate these days for an interviewer to be trying to skewer Pat Smullen. What would be the point? As it was the format of the interview encouraged him to speak more freely than he would have done if he was still riding.
On June 3rd 1992 Dr Devious won the Derby for trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam and jockey John Reid. Unusually his previous race was the Kentucky Derby. As far as I know Dr Devious was the last descendant of the Byerley Turk to win the Derby.
On June 3rd 1964 veteran, Australian jockey Scobie Breasley won his first Derby aboard the Mick Rogers' trained Santa Claus. Santa Claus was the last descendant of the Godolphin Arabian to win the Derby.
It's been the Darley Arabian sire line all the way since 1992.
Scobie must be the only jockey to be jocked off a Derby winner.
His reception from connections was muted after the race by his account; they never asked him why he did not extend the horse fully, he never explained to them the horse was feeling the firm ground and he claims to have advised Bill Pyers how to stretch SC on Nasram in King George.
Dr Devious named after Demi O'Byrne, coolmore vet , the name given to him by Billy McDonald.
Eleanora Duse (4th June 2020)
10 years ago the great one made his debut.
It's been emotional!
All comers, all grounds, all beaten!
This perfect mix of poetry and destruction.
On this very day in 2016 Goshen was foaled
Just saying
"The owls are not what they seem"
Must have been looking for his birthday cake down the far side so today.
Ten years ago today on my second day at Festival I did a multi ew docket, French Lieutenant (Ballymore ) Boston's Angel(RSA) Captain Cee Bee (Champion Chase) What A Charm (Fred Winter) Carlito Brigante (Coral Cup) Raise The Beat (Bumper) .
Seeing they all Irish trained and deciding Ireland was unlikely to win every race that day I removed Carlito !
DOH!!!!!!!!
Now that was painful!
prince regent (29th May 2022)
May 29
On this day in 1868 Blue Gown won the Derby, one of seven trained by John Porter.
A print of Blue Gown graced the front room of The Beehive bar, Montpelier, Cheltenham.
One drunken night I regaled the story over and over about Lord Roseberry, the Gypsy and the blue gown.
Winter 1867 coming from theatre, his club or some other function Lord Roseberry met a gypsy selling flowers outside.
"Tell me gypsy, what wins the Derby ?" he asked
"What I am wearing, my Lord, a Blue Gown " came the reply
" What about my horse ?" he inquired.
" While many Derby winners will carry your silks , none , alas will do so for you "
The good Lord at this stage pushed his luck with the gypsy, not being man enough to leave well enough alone only to be told that not only would he not own a Derby winner, he would not see another Derby.
Anyways, Lord Roseberry died in March, Blue Gown won his Derby and the next Lord Roseberry greeted three Derby winners, Isinglass, Sir Visto and Cicero in the primrose silks.
I managed to secure a print of Blue Gown and now repeat the tale when sober !