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.
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.
ReplyDeleteWell I never knew that - about your female Melbourne Cup winner. Excellent.
DeleteMichelle 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.
DeleteCheers Adele
Oh dear, I thought that "Ride Like A Girl" was on a very different subject. Silly me!
DeleteLike you, I am not keen on sports that involve animals - or machines, such as car racing.
ReplyDeleteBut 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.
I think that the horses that die are collateral damage. They are disposed of behind screens and get minimal reference.
DeleteHow much did you win?
ReplyDeleteNowt. The only betting I do is on The National Lottery and Littlewoods Pools.
DeleteNot forgetting Velvet Brown winning the Grand National with The Pie in National Velvet. Great film.
ReplyDeleteThirteen mares have won the Grand National. It was a great day for women and the Irish. Rachael is a lovely lady.
She seems lovely and humble too - just like me and you Northsider - though neither of us are jockeys.
DeleteThere 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.
ReplyDeleteIt seems a pretty ruthless industry. Money being the key driving force.
DeleteI hope never to be so wealthy that I am no longer humane.
DeleteOne or two horses killed in each race, all over the world, plus deaths in training, is too many. What a loss.
ReplyDeleteThere have been many deaths at the last few Melbourne cup races
The racing industry likes to draw a veil over these regular tragedies.
DeleteWell 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.
ReplyDeleteI guess those in the industry might shrug and say - "It's collateral damage. There's more horses where that one came from."
DeleteShe 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".
ReplyDeleteMust 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.
I totally agree with you about motor racing CG.
DeleteI'm with you. I am not a fan of sports that exploit animals.
ReplyDeleteI am not even sure about pigeon racing.
DeleteThis makes me angry. A horse dead for entertainment. Reminds me of gladiators.
ReplyDeleteIt happens all the time but Shhhh! They don't like to emphasise this horrible truth Lily.
DeleteI have to say that I found your last comment quite disturbing.
ReplyDeleteAnd so it should have been.
DeleteI didn't realise that 'Littlewoods Pools' were still going. My Dad pinned all his hope on them but they never did oblige, lol
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
I won £1500 three years ago but I have given Littlewoods far more than that over the years.
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to one racing day and have no intention of ever attending one.
DeleteThe 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.
ReplyDeleteI remember it as a big national event too. For most people it was the only horse racing event they watched each year.
DeleteI 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