New Posts For Thread: Check this re Ron Barry and Townendhttps://community.betfair.com/horse_racing/go/thread/view/94102/31899417/check-this-re-ron-barry-and-townendRon Barry led the 1971 Grand National with 50 yards to go when his mount Sandy Sprite went lame. Immediately stopped riding and eased off. Finished a close 5th. Had he kept riding he might still have won. Horse welfare has taken a step backwards in tLighten up leif…..Betting rings were much the same cigar smoke bellowing and tic tac shouting….packed out,nowadays it’s just bookies staring into their machines…Mortuary material….https://community.betfair.com/horse_racing/go/thread/view/94102/31899417/check-this-re-ron-barry-and-townend?post_id=565318659#565318659Lighten up leif…..Betting rings were much the same cigar smoke bellowing and tic tac shouting….packed out,nowadays it’s just bookies staring into their machines…Mortuary material….Sun, 12 Apr 2026 08:04:47 -0500Shouting at the extel blower up in the corner of the smoke filled room,those were good times tbh..Not if you were non-smokers that worked there, given the passive smoking issues that came to light in more enlightened times.https://community.betfair.com/horse_racing/go/thread/view/94102/31899417/check-this-re-ron-barry-and-townend?post_id=565318605#565318605Shouting at the extel blower up in the corner of the smoke filled room,those were good times tbh..Not if you were non-smokers that worked there, given the passive smoking issues that came to light in more enlightened times.Sun, 12 Apr 2026 07:19:09 -0500Utter stupidity is worse than greedhttps://community.betfair.com/horse_racing/go/thread/view/94102/31899417/check-this-re-ron-barry-and-townend?post_id=565318587#565318587Utter stupidity is worse than greedSun, 12 Apr 2026 07:05:54 -0500Staring i should say.https://community.betfair.com/horse_racing/go/thread/view/94102/31899417/check-this-re-ron-barry-and-townend?post_id=565318569#565318569Staring i should say.Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:45:54 -0500Shouting at the extel blower up in the corner of the smoke filled room,those were good times tbh..https://community.betfair.com/horse_racing/go/thread/view/94102/31899417/check-this-re-ron-barry-and-townend?post_id=565318565#565318565Shouting at the extel blower up in the corner of the smoke filled room,those were good times tbh..Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:45:12 -0500Good point. Back then, we could only complain in our living rooms, or the bookies, or later down the pub.https://community.betfair.com/horse_racing/go/thread/view/94102/31899417/check-this-re-ron-barry-and-townend?post_id=565318561#565318561Good point. Back then, we could only complain in our living rooms, or the bookies, or later down the pub.Sun, 12 Apr 2026 06:41:44 -0500The big difference between then and now is Social Mediahttps://community.betfair.com/horse_racing/go/thread/view/94102/31899417/check-this-re-ron-barry-and-townend?post_id=565318553#565318553The big difference between then and now is Social MediaSun, 12 Apr 2026 06:36:48 -0500At the time Ron Barry said he felt something amiss crossing the Melling Road. I backed Sandy Sprite and watched it closely and it was only close home she faltered. No-one had a go at Ron, as I recall.On the Gold Cup line, I'd had a big bet on Bannowhttps://community.betfair.com/horse_racing/go/thread/view/94102/31899417/check-this-re-ron-barry-and-townend?post_id=565318343#565318343At the time Ron Barry said he felt something amiss crossing the Melling Road. I backed Sandy Sprite and watched it closely and it was only close home she faltered. No-one had a go at Ron, as I recall.On the Gold Cup line, I'd had a big bet on BannowSun, 12 Apr 2026 04:13:50 -0500Differentdrum, thanks for the correction was going on memory only. Have just checked the Timeform Annual for that season, Turnell chose stable companion April Seventh over Summerville. Summerville broke down after the second last and was dismounted ahttps://community.betfair.com/horse_racing/go/thread/view/94102/31899417/check-this-re-ron-barry-and-townend?post_id=565318183#565318183Differentdrum, thanks for the correction was going on memory only. Have just checked the Timeform Annual for that season, Turnell chose stable companion April Seventh over Summerville. Summerville broke down after the second last and was dismounted aSun, 12 Apr 2026 01:16:31 -0500Jeff King was riding Summerville.https://community.betfair.com/horse_racing/go/thread/view/94102/31899417/check-this-re-ron-barry-and-townend?post_id=565317989#565317989Jeff King was riding Summerville.Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:46:51 -0500