11 April 2021

Milestone

I must admit that I do not like any sports that involve animals. However, I take my hat off to Rachael Blackmore who rode Minella Times to victory in yesterday's Grand National at Aintree, Liverpool. It is the oldest and most famous annual steeplechase in the world. In coming home first, Rachael Blackmore - a 31 year old Irish jockey - became the first woman in history to win the race. After 182 years, to see a woman on the winners' podium was something really special.

Afterwards, she told a TV Interviewer, "I don't feel male or female right now. I don't even feel human."

By the way, only one horse had to be euthanised  after yesterday's taxing four mile race - a seven year old (gender unknown) called The Long Mile. May he or she rest in equine peace.

32 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:00 am

    A couple of years ago a female jockey rode the wining horse in the Melbourne Cup horse race and very humble she seemed to be. I am not sure whether to be pleased or angry that 'only one' horse died as a result of the race.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well I never knew that - about your female Melbourne Cup winner. Excellent.

      Delete
    2. Michelle Payne's epic win in 2015 is the subject of the 2019 movie Ride Like A Girl. Well worth a look for her back story of a loving daughter and sister. The trailer is on Youtube and the film also stars our most loved Kiwi actor Sam Neill as her Dad. If you like Aussie films check out Rams.
      Cheers Adele

      Delete
    3. Oh dear, I thought that "Ride Like A Girl" was on a very different subject. Silly me!

      Delete
  2. Like you, I am not keen on sports that involve animals - or machines, such as car racing.
    But I respect anyone who has the tenacity and perseverance to achieve something like that, no matter what gender. It should not be at the cost of another one‘s life, though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that the horses that die are collateral damage. They are disposed of behind screens and get minimal reference.

      Delete
  3. How much did you win?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nowt. The only betting I do is on The National Lottery and Littlewoods Pools.

      Delete
  4. Not forgetting Velvet Brown winning the Grand National with The Pie in National Velvet. Great film.

    Thirteen mares have won the Grand National. It was a great day for women and the Irish. Rachael is a lovely lady.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She seems lovely and humble too - just like me and you Northsider - though neither of us are jockeys.

      Delete
  5. There is a group here that collects old racehorses or horses that aren't quite fast enough to achieve the level of success the owners want. They say that normally they are just sold to dog food companies, which is a heartbreaking thought. They run a racehorse retirement home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It seems a pretty ruthless industry. Money being the key driving force.

      Delete
    2. I hope never to be so wealthy that I am no longer humane.

      Delete
  6. One or two horses killed in each race, all over the world, plus deaths in training, is too many. What a loss.
    There have been many deaths at the last few Melbourne cup races

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The racing industry likes to draw a veil over these regular tragedies.

      Delete
  7. Well done to Ms Blackmore for her achievement, but a rather unpleasant experience for the horses involved, being driven so hard that some die as a result.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess those in the industry might shrug and say - "It's collateral damage. There's more horses where that one came from."

      Delete
  8. She did well to win. I don't like sports that involve animals either - horse racing or dog racing in particular. It's all about making money isn't it? If people didn't follow racing or bet, then the whole industry would collapse, and compulsive gamblers wouldn't continually lose a fortune on "dead certs".
    Must admit to not being a fan of sport in general, and especially the appeal of watching motor racing. Spending hours on end waiting for a car to come past in a blur, seems a complete waste of time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally agree with you about motor racing CG.

      Delete
  9. I'm with you. I am not a fan of sports that exploit animals.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am not even sure about pigeon racing.

      Delete
  10. This makes me angry. A horse dead for entertainment. Reminds me of gladiators.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It happens all the time but Shhhh! They don't like to emphasise this horrible truth Lily.

      Delete
  11. I have to say that I found your last comment quite disturbing.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I didn't realise that 'Littlewoods Pools' were still going. My Dad pinned all his hope on them but they never did oblige, lol
    Briony
    x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I won £1500 three years ago but I have given Littlewoods far more than that over the years.

      Delete
  13. I was a huge fan of the Dick Francis mysteries, but have been to one horse race in my lifetime. I don't feel any need to go back.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have never been to one racing day and have no intention of ever attending one.

      Delete
  14. The Grand National was always an 'event' in our house as children - not least because my father was an avid horse racing fan. It was one of the milestones in the year; all gathered round to watch Grandstand on a Saturday afternoon. I sense that is not quite the same now - perhaps it is just me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember it as a big national event too. For most people it was the only horse racing event they watched each year.

      Delete
  15. I don't like cruelty to animals and their subjection to the whims of someone beating them with a whip. What is it with the human race and 'first past the post' I wonder.

    ReplyDelete

Mr Pudding welcomes all genuine comments - even those with which he disagrees. However, puerile or abusive comments from anonymous contributors will continue to be given the short shrift they deserve. Any spam comments that get through Google/Blogger defences will also be quickly deleted.

Most Visits