QUALITY AT THE DUBLIN FESTIVAL

New rod for Xmas ?

Not like the OP to start an ireland is better than england thread

Especially as he had it on his toes to Greece as soon as Covid hit Ireland

Thought you wanted to talk horses...

Cheltenham beginning to lose its appeal

If the best of the English were coming over to Leopardstown I might agree. But all we are seeing is the Mullins/Elliott roadshow. Still think Cheltenham very much more exciting.

Very poor……

Leopardstown operations manager Jane Hedley has acknowledged the track could have provided a better experience for racegoers on the Saturday of the Dublin Racing Festival.

A lack of staff meant long queues were commonplace and, in some cases, bars and restaurants ran out of supplies causing frustration for the 12,957 in attendance.

Leopardstown uses the same catering service as the Aviva Stadium and, with Ireland facing Wales on Saturday in the Six Nations, Hedley said the agency responsible for staffing prioritised the rugby over the racing.

The issue was raised in a meeting between management at Leopardstown after racing on Saturday and, according to Hedley, the service provided to racegoers on Sunday was much better for the 11,972 who came through the gates.

She said: "There is no doubt that Saturday was a very, very difficult day for us. Anyone who has ever run a racecourse will know that, on your first day of the season, there are always teething problems. For us to have our first day with crowds in over two years and go straight into a near capacity crowd was difficult.

I have to say I was very disappointed with the racecourse this year ,the problems on Saturday have been acknowledged to a degree,however there was no excuse for not giving those like myself who had also bought seats no badge to wear so staff could know who was entitled on the upper levels ,a very basic thing to do and when I asked well before racing they seemed surprised I thought badges would be needed,Sunday badges were given out,both days there were no racing posts available at the racecourse again when asking at the information kiosk they seemed surprised that somebody would want a racing post,

That all said two terrific days racing’s from the best viewing track anywhere roll on next year.

Incidentally I have only missed one Dublin festival which was when the fixture was ran behind closed doors and the previous years have been excellent.

I think the quality of the horses is much better , just looking at them in the paddock they appear well ahead of their overseas rivals. There was a few at Fontwell a couple of weeks ago were well in their winter coats. So was that posh bird who trained Paisley Park....lol

Also because the big steeplechases over there seen to have so few runners lately and remain uncompetitive

Sounds like a shambles of a meeting. Will take many years till they get the punters confidence back.

oh be jasus...u do talk some ****

I personally don’t like to wait for 45 mins to an hour to get served at the bar as there is only 1 bar staff serving. If the reports are correct.

Jimnast can confirm if correct as he was there.

I think quite a few of those you saw placed at the weekend will come good at Cheltenham.

Shishkin is the biggest English banker imvho

6 runners in the next hcap chase at taunton
7 runners in the next hcap chase at market rasen

Just lacking competition over there

I can't think of another sport where patriotism matters less, personally I couldn't give a rats ar53 if the Irish win 28-0 just as long as I've backed a few of them, which is hard enough in itself and I bet that 99.99999999999 of all other punters think exactly the same way.

Spot on Duffy.

Yes Duffy I would also agree with that

Hibore

Not sure it was an hour but from what I was told in the evening it wasn’t good,I had no intention of having a drink on Saturday until after race 5 as I am sure you will agree race 6 was totally out of place on the card,we were on the premium level where in theory it should be less of a problem it took my wife around 20 minutes to get served,

Earlier in the afternoon we found the coffee bar where no alcohol is allowed it’s a nice place to spend between races they had both the rugby and racing on with no sound ,sold nice snacks at a fair price all in all just a pleasant 1/2 hour ,so when returning on Sunday I was astonished it was closed for the day,I will soon give leopardstown my feedback and to be fair they are a very helpful racecourse to deal with,they got it wrong this weekend customer experience wise on the whole ,but even so they still did a few nice touches free bus from and back to the tram station and plenty of golf buggies to get those who needed a bit of help to get up the climb to the entrance gates.

As stated on an earlier post I will be back next year and god willing I will be there until the day I can’t.


One another note you would be very surprised which horse statue over looks the winners enclosure.

Nothing to do with english irish patriotism
Its pretty well recognised irish national.hunt is better than u k national hunt
So it follows that the dublin festival in terms of quality is better than cheltenham

We were in the premium level both days, Saturday getting a drink was a nightmare.
Sunday they seemed to have got things sorted Badges etc.
Will we be back next year !! without doubt we will be going again.
Best two days racing and value for money !!!

Wish i could say same about hotels, flights etc.

Clayton was a farce go lightly we were there 3 nights no servicing the rooms,no entertainment,no papers all due to COVID,in hotel cafe only open Monday to Friday.

I was at cheltenham before xmas for the showboat meeting
For a snowflake society I was a bit shocked to find every server in the restaurant I was in was black
Bit racist aint it ?

Not to mention the exhorbitant prices for a bit of lunch

Despite GB having less horses in big races, on any ground, I think we will win every handicap chase! The handicapper is dropping horses marks so quickly and will stitch up the Irish imo.
The hurdlers are harder to do due to being so unexposed.

I think it’s bizarre for someone who hates everything British that he bothers to go to Cheltenham multiple times in a year. Especially when he says it’s crap horses, ground and Nicky Henderson is there

He didn’t go to the DRF which is the best NH racing in the world ? Strange that.

Barnes

Hope you are right mate
Hate watching hollow victories
If they have to stitch the Irish to win so be it
The bha have been trying to do that for yearsyears
Way things are going over there
This great sport is on a downer

Feb 7, 2022 -- 3:49PM, jimnast wrote:

I have to say I was very disappointed with the racecourse this year ,the problems on Saturday have been acknowledged to a degree,however there was no excuse for not giving those like myself who had also bought seats no badge to wear so staff could know who was entitled on the upper levels ,a very basic thing to do and when I asked well before racing they seemed surprised I thought badges would be needed,Sunday badges were given out,both days there were no racing posts available at the racecourse again when asking at the information kiosk they seemed surprised that somebody would want a racing post,That all said two terrific days racing’s from the best viewing track anywhere roll on next year.

Never been with hopefully all restrictions gone next year i quite fancy it with the other half, any hotel recommendations. Love Cheltenham Nov and Jan, festival too chaotic for me now.

JJ agree with that
We dont do certain meets now
Cheltenham gold cup day
Galway ladies day
Aintree ladies day
Ascot ladies day

Nightmares........all off the agenda because of overcrowded bars, pushing and pulling, stress and rude people

Goodwood is my nearest course that has a big meeting, hated the last couple of years gangs of coked up boys and girls, like couple of beers in between races but getting to the stage where i'm not bothering the queues are that bad and leaving before the last race to avoid the inevitable punch ups.

JJ

I've been many times to Dublin and to Leopardstown - it is a fantastic experience and the Feb meeting used to offer excellent value as you could book a table for lunch for a fifth of the price Cheltenham charge. Not quite the same now as prices have increased but well worth it. I've taken my misses their half a dozen times and she loves the experience.

We now always stay at the Arlington Hotel, on the Liffey, which used to be a hive of activity every night but seems less so now. You get a good breakfast and easy commuting distance to Leopardstown by taxi, Dart or Tram. Also lodged at Wynnes hotel which is just around the corner - a typical old fashioned Irish hotel with plenty of character(s). Did the Punchestown festival from Wynnes one year and as I recall they arranged to take us to the course each day.

Like all capital cities Dublin is no longer cheap - cheapest pint of Guinness was actually at the racecourse!!!!

never understand why people take drugs at the races always bemused walking past sniffer dogs at newmarket

Thanks for reply sawyer, i'm expecting it to be an expensive weekend to be honest, just cant do the festival anymore, i know everywhere has the crowd their just for the craic, but it seems on the tv at least more people are actually there for the racing at Leopardstown, i honestly think those sniffer dogs are just there as a tick box to see if anyone draws attention to themselves by walking away from the queues or they are specialist in other areas i.e explosives or something because the amount of people that just walk straight past them that i see in toilets in ridiculous.

One thing i like about australian and american tracks is that you feel very safe.

I’ve attended Cheltenham all 4 days for the last 5 years. Totally agree with the comments that Gold Cup day is painful and not much fun if you are in Club or Tatts.

However, we have paid for the Cheltenham lounge near the shopping tents and Guinness village on a couple of occasions for £40 per day and £60 on Gold Cup day. This was fantastic as you easily got a table even at 2pm and had access to a bar and food throughout the day without any queues of any note. It’s a short walk to the viewing areas as well.

Next time you are at the festival it’s well worth having a look. It may change your mind about attending the best day of the festival.
Tickets sell out quick so book by December or you may miss out.

On another note I may have 6 x reserved seats opposite the winning line in the members area for sale. We are just awaiting confirmation of alternative hospitality so would be a shame if these tickets/seats were unused. PM me if you are interested.

Seats are all together for all 4 days.

One of worst saturday cards in memory tomorrow....where have all the mules gone?

5 in the denman
5 in the game spirit ?

Come greyhound racing at your nearest horse race teack in the u k

Only 4 in the game spirit now irish

If there had been five it would have been an above average number of runners compared to the last ten years!!!!

Hibore, do you really think the Friday is the best day of the festival?

It only really has the Gold cup, and the second best race- the Grand annual has been moved.

I’ve always loved the Tuesday. Thursdays used to always be a great spectacle with two handicap chases, but it depends what appeals to you I suppose.

Barnes, to me Cheltenham has 27 races and the Gold Cup. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Fair enough, it’s not really appealed to me since Kauto star was taking on Denman.

Champion hurdle is the one for me, despite all novices nowadays going chasing.

Lads you need to realise
That you are witnessing
A change in international horse racing
Nicky Henderson is the only uk trainer
That can stand up to irish dominance
...and lets be fair
Some of the best he has are either Irish bred or owned
The only trainer left after him
Who can stand up to Mullins
Is Gordon or if lucky Henry
Cheltenham puts ten billion into your economy
All the while that the Irish invade
Take away the Irish albeit due to a useless BHA
.....and the game is gone in the U K

thx Irish,,,u got any good news? i like to see the bright side of things,,,from a neutral stand point and not with your green white and orange pants on for once

If u read between the lines it could be useful,other than this neutral bollax,so many get hung up with these posts rather that learn from them.also some wet themselves when it's an English Arkle fav.
Like you I want winner's but that's the 2nd post along those lines from you so whe is the one hung up with their patriotism

The love for the sport should overcome the patriotism, but it doesnt. Read between the lines ....

"Addressing the leaked BHA report into the allegations and the suggestion that this may have prejudiced the hearing, Barker said: "It is an unfortunate fact that the preliminary process has been overshadowed by extraordinary and unprecedented leaks, either one leak or two leaks, of confidential information.

"In relation to that, the independent enquiry continues. The fact of that leak has led to both distress and unhelpful speculation."

Distress !!!! Hhhmmmm so thats unfair RIGHT ? (To either party)


So how does that fit with the infamous integrity review of 2016 where the same BHA stated ...

" The BHA does not want itself to be put in a position where somebody is charged , those charges being publicised, and then having those charges withdrawn prior to a hearing.  The BHA wants to ensure that investigations are complete, thorough and subject to sufficient checks and balances throughout and certainly prior to charges being issued. The BHA should ensure it is properly cognisant of the impact upon people involved in investigations to ensure fairness is achieved"


Ensure fairness is acheived ?????

4.    "There are some things which the BHA as racing’s regulator is required to investigate, and it will rightly continue to do that.  However it must do so fairly.  The BHA must ensure there are systems in place which deliver a rigour in investigations"

So where was the rigour in the Dunne case ?


5.    "The BHA is determined to learn lessons from these particular cases, and others"

So lessons were learnt in 2016 and guess what.....

2021 they have learnt feck all

Exactly Bentring ....... Not only on this forum , the BHA the sane

Apart from the politics....

Is there annyone on here backing the U K to win the Prestbury Cup ?

Everything’s got it’s price!

I can see us winning a minimum of 7, so we just need to pull another 8 out from the back of the sofa ;)

really Bent ,,,you dont have a clue about me...I would not lose a seconds sleep if the Irish won every race...i come on here to extract as much info as i can from whoever....its the author who loves to go on about Ireland and how great you are,,,,im English and not lived in old blightey for 21 years......I will be making my first trip in 4 years to see my old my mum with her granddaughter she hasnt seen in 8 years after Chelts...you know what im popping over to the emerald isle to see an old friend in skerries and play some golf....and i backed Italy to beat us in the euro final,,,thats how patriotic i am...good night

Struck a chord there me thinks and Alan Carr is you're favourite comedian.
One of the worst Saturday cards posted 4.40pm so your not austrailisia and can't be that expensive to get from anywhere else

As i said its not about the patriotism
Its about trainers from one country
Showing up another country
To be poorly organised , lacking leadership and not recognising where this is goung.

I can see it happening very quickly as well
Something is wrong with the way the game is going in the U K

We are all enthusiasts in this sport ,never mind english, scottish or taiwan

The U K model is going downhill too quick

It has been steady switch that has been going on for a long time.

In the 80s and 90s the best Irish and French horses were bought and put into training with English trainers.

In the last 20 years most of the Irish top prospects are bought and kept in traing in Ireland. Even top English owners are having their horses trained in Ireland.

Mullins has obviously got very good people working for him spotting top French breds too. French horses are still a very successful breed in the NH game.

I think it is a worry that 2 stables are building a monopoly of the top horses.

The only thing owner's get out of racing in UK is the bonus of free tickets to some chart stars it isn't prize money.
There needs something done soon from bottom upwards at least 50% increase from lowest band of prize money and in increments the further up you go,this is only way owner's will become involved if they see a possible return for their investment

Brandagree with a lot you say

Isnt that steady switch you refer to....been as a result of poor leadership by the bha ?

Yes, you're probably right Irish.

One of the major problems imo is there is far too much racing and as a result small fields.

In handicaps horses are getting unfairly raised for finishing 3rd or 4th in small fields. Some days you will get 3 or 4 low grade handicaps where if you had fewer meetings these horses would all be in one race. Resulting in horses running off a fair mark.

bent,,,bent bent,,you are a comedian,,,whos alan carr ffs just googled him ,never heard of him....it was a poor saturday card was it not? im in the land of ladyboys,,u should try might put a smile on your face,,,,Emirates just rebooked my flight from march 20...covid benty boy,,thats the reason ,coming back here is a right pain in the arris  (haha}

How does the prize money compare between England and Ireland?

I had a quick look at Exeter and Punchestown yesterday. Didn't seem much between them.

I do not think anyone buys a horse thinking prize money will give them a return on investment.

Irish prize money far greater than English , but two things are at  play

Firstly the exchange rate.

Secondly the governments involved. Snowflake politicians in U K dont want to lose the anti votes. Irish government supports horse racing .

99% owners don’t go into horse racing expecting to make money or worry about prize money either side of the Irish Sea. Very few make any money at all….how much does JP lose per year ?

I was at Seven Barrows yesterday seeing my two horses there. Took my mum and my daughter who both had a fantastic time. Even though the monthly fees can be very very expensive it’s worth every penny. Nicky Henderson and his wife are great hosts.

Did you get a selfie

Surprised the Irish didn't send anything over to plunder the Betfair Hurdle

Nicky wanted a picture but I told him I didn’t want the publicity.

Correct bentring
The better prizemoney has led to an increase in english owners buying horses and stabling them in Ireland. Also by passes the tax problems since brexit.
What I really laugh at is some of the idiots in the racing clubs, I know one pays £99 a month in johnjo oneils racing club and then calls all his entries "my horse" .....hardly owns the lip hair off any of them ! Then a few weeks later they find out a horse was only leased to the club...and its gone back to its previous owner.
Then you go to a little off the beaten path track and there's a mob of club/syndicate owners taking selfies in the paddock and the jockey comes in and times it so he doesnt have to talk to the half pi55ed gang, jumps on the horse and fecks off to the track a s a p.

I hate to agree with Irishone but owners group and similar racing clubs are near criminal with the 7000 shares @ £55 for a £40k horse for ONE Year ! Then pay again in year two….

Imagine they are run by same companies that do payday loans. Plenty of mugs out there.

Speaking of which ....1.01 nap landed...fetch the keepnet bentring

Well done Irish. You can have another £1 on PTKO at 10/1 for the Champion Chase.

Shes biting tonight !

TYPICAL EXAMPLE....

Day one of the Cheltenham Festival could be a memorable one for the 22 owners in Middleham Park Racing’s Marie’s Rock as she teed up a tilt at the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle with Listed-race success.

The Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old was badly hampered early in the Lanzarote last time but bounced back to her best when beating Get A Tonic and 2020 winner Indefatigable in the Virgin Bet Warwick Mares’ Hurdle.

Marie’s Rock, who was cheered on by 13 of her owners, was shortened to 12-1 (from 20) for the Mares’ Hurdle with Paddy Power and will also have an entry in the Coral Cup, for which she was cut to 16-1 (from 33) with the sponsors"D

22 owners......13 probably pi55ed up in the paddock


hardly own a fetlock yet everyone would say theY owned the horse!
Like to know how many get in the cheltenham paddock l o L

The only real owner is Tom Palin, partner and National Hunt manager for Middleham Park Racing.

.....and he thinks the mares hurdle is wide open ....PMSL

22 is quite a lot for Middleham but good luck to them. They will all make a few bob when she retires whatever she does at Cheltenham.

How many horses do you have running at Cheltenham? Sounds like jealously to me.

Do they get a share in prize money? If so, I’d say it was partially there horse.

I must admit I got involved in a syndicate over Christmas just to see what’s it’s like as I thought it would be fun and something new. It was just a cheap Christmas present which only cost £100 all in with no monthly fees so I wasn’t expecting much.
I did a bit of research into trainers that I rate, but they were a few grand a pop to get involved in their syndicates but sometimes you get what you pay for.
I was interested in Elliotts, but the syndicate are only leasing horses starting off in bumpers and maidens in the first season, so I had my doubts that I’d see the horse at the track much, plus this was for one horse which was something like £169.

For my money I get video updates on the gallops of the current horses involved in the syndicate which is five or six, mainly younger horses, emails of current entries, and a video on the morning of a raceday that the syndicate has a runner with the trainers thoughts.
Besides that, the jockey riding it is interviewed on his thoughts of the race. A ballot is also available to attend the racecourse when one of the horses run. I’ve not attended any yet, but it’s seems decent enough for what you pay.

Obviously with it costing just £100, you don’t get any prize money for that, have no say in where the horse runs, or any future plans. From looking back, I think any horses that turn out good, get moved to an existing owner in the yard pretty quickly, and funds from this sale are distributed back into the training of the current syndicate horses and the purchase of a replacement.

It’s given me an insight though, but I doubt I’ll renew.

I have a list of poor trainers in my head to buy horses off, send them to someone decent and watch their handicap marks rocket, but need to get a decent multiple up to get that plan off the ground and plot it’s way upwards. Everyone has a dream, and that’s mine!

England, the 22 owners have purchased the horse for £60k between them (min 2.5% share) and pay £1,200 minimum to have it trained per year. Most owners will have double that. Yes they get the prize money and actually own the horse to sell for breeding once the racing is over.

It’s £93 per month per 2.5% share you own. That covers training and vet bills all in.

There are muppets about who say "my horse" or "i own horses" , 1\20th they actually own, others think 12% gives the ownership ....clueless

They actually believe they have a say in what or where the horse is going to run in.

Fact is the clubs aint running the clubs for nothing.

You can get a horse trained in Ireland for 1700E  a month (about 1500 sterling).. You can go and see it whenever you want, have it in your back yard when its racing is done.... And when the trainer gives you the nod you can ask him to give you his money to put on your horse ......then you know you know !

This mickey mouse jackdaws castle and the three black spots club are money down a black hole

are you suggesting Irish racing is crooked?

If you pay £15k - £20k towards a horse I think most normal people would think you can say you own a percentage of it.

You didn’t answer how many horses you have running at Cheltenham?

By the way your favourite horse is owned by a syndicate. What an Idiot.

Cobra, Irish racing is straight. It’s just horses held up 50 lengths of the lead in their first 3 runs improve 30-40lbs when running in their first handicap. Irish Horse racing authority is run by amateurs. Just ask Ruby !

You live with a racehorse everyday sam you know when its up for it. I never took a count of the number of trainers in Ireland that  have said "it will run well" before the race and acted surprised after losing the race, but I am sure it is just as common in the U K as it is in Ireland. Owners ......should be privy to good information ,thats the difference. You tell the muppet racing club members and the price goes, if the horse wins the trainer "to  the stewards room" call comes just as much in Ireland as it does in u k.....  Integrity in u k is just as much a joke as it is in Ireland.....

If not straight throw the book at them eg Hong Kong. No 2nd chance as deterrent.

The book aint got many pages left in it

Turns out willie has a few more up his sleeve