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I remember sneaking off school in the late 70s to watch the Derby. I would say 80% of the nation were aware of the Derby taking place, now maybe 5% of the nation know that it's taking place.
NB: This year Derby must be the worst ever by a mile.
NB: This year Derby must be the worst ever by a mile.
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I remember Big Mac snatching the microphone away from Chris Evans on the first Saturday Derby.
Evans had the temerity to criticise the change: On Saturday it is a great day for racing; on Wednesday it was a great day for sport. |
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Worst ever ?
With 3 unbeaten horses in the line up and 3 others who have only lost once it's a bit early to be making that call. Regarding your main point when it was on a Wednesday it was Derby Day. Now it's just another Saturday. |
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Back in the 1970's and 80's the Derby grabbed my attention like no other flat race. I used to put my bets on, get a few beers and go round to my mates house were we would spend the afternoon watching the racing. The race has completely lost it's magic for me.
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Maybe 'cos you've got old?
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there are not many events in the racing calendar that get me excited like they used to but I just put that down to getting old.
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naydam ^^^ agreed
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Imagine the Champion Hurdle run at Plumpton. Running the supposed greatest flat race in the World at Epsom is just the same. Anyhow, only the Dawn can save an awful flat season.
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It was a cult thing from all over the country coaches would arrive.................companies up north / Wales "freebe"......................free day out...........................then some greedy crunt decieded to move it to Saturday..................& he broke the mold.
Stand up that man ? £5 a nut .....if in a car to park on the downs |
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@MJK -- it is because Epsom is such a rotten course that the Derby is the supreme test: temperament, balance, speed, stamina.
PS: Dawn Approach won't stay. You heard it here first. Well, probably not first, actually. Just this week Jim Bolger entered DA for the Sussex Stakes, over a mile. |
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It's nothing to do with age ffs. I still look forward with relish to Royal Ascot, the July Meeting and Glorious Goodwood. I just cannot get enthusiastic about the Derby anymore.
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Cheltenham and grand national meets the only ones for me nowadays. used to be the breeders cup too until a couple of years ago.
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Is it 'cos you is into fashun?
 I'm only kidding, by the way! |
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Is it 'cos you is into fashun?
I'm only kidding, by the way! |
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When it comes to racing I am very much a traditionalist. I used to like to old Derby meeting format with the big race kicking things off on the Wednesday.
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Epsom-the biggest **** of a course I've ever been too.
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Bookies don't want it on a wednesday...so it'll never change back ...unless they ban FOBTs
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it was better on Wednesday imo
what with international racing.. just another group 1 nowadays |
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I cant imagine the Aussies ever changing the Melbourne Cup to a saturday
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These nostalgia threads just don't appeal to me like they used to. Back in the 70s and 80s, that was when we had real nostalgia.
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The 4 day meeting was not very good and it is far better as a 2 day event. When I worked in a shop and the race was on the Wednesday there was only me and a few others interested I used to be able to swing the afternoon off but in reality nobody else was bothered.
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How many people who love flat racing will say the Derby is the race of the season ?
Very few I suspect, we never usually know what's a top quality horse till AFTER the race has been run, hence the most eagerly awaited flat races usually come after the first week in June. |
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^
Never the race of the season in terms of field quality no, but IMO thats why the Derby was special ,as there was an air of mystery about it that The Arc or King George could never have. Totally agree with the OP in how diminished the race is as a national event. First time i heard of The Derby was when i was 6 i think, in 1978 ,and it was a conversation i overheard between 2 of my teachers , who were both women in their early 20s . If twentysomething women were pondering what they should bet on i expect every workplace in the country must have had similar discussions . Can't recall the last year i heard anyone i worked with make any mention of it. |
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though i disagree with OP that this year is the worst ever , last year can never be beat surely
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Camelot won the worst Derby ever in your opinion tobermory?
what about Pour Moi's? |
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Sir Percy....
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Its like most things nowadays they just dont have the same buzz as you get older and as you watch your family growing up the feelings we had as kids and youths and in our twenty somethings have all but dissapeared? I like probably 99% of you used to get up on a Saturday morning at 9am for the FA Cup Final and would watch ALL day the 2 teams right through to the final whistle and lifting the trophy even if it wasnt my team? I used to feel the same about the Derby but things in life become more important i suppose? The National still excites me as does the Cheltenham Festival-Maybe its also because years ago the coverage wasnt so much as it is today ie ATR & RUK?
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If only those Ukranian women from Femen would do some activating. No trying to pin the tail on the donkey mind.
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the advent of wall to wall tv coverage has made all great sporting events much more mundane.
In the late 70s/early 80s, when i grow up, there was a mystery about top class sport, be it racing, football, or cricket because you very rarely saw the true greats live on tv. So when you did, there was a sense of anticipation and excitement. That has gone. i do think getting older also dulls your excitement as by the time you reach a certain age you have came across many of the scenarios that happen in sport. I will say this, that no-one in my work has even mentioned the Derby. This was so different when the race was run on a Wednesday. |
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Agree about the Wednesday....made the day special,,,,,used to go every year with my father....day off school of course
 ....train to clapham juntion and then on toEpsom.....everybody on the train were racegoers.....great atmosphere.....the challenge of opening the Sporting life... ......the open top bus journey to the track is one of mymost cherished childhood memories.....obviously age may well dull the sense of occasion bun the fact is back then it was THE race......it is not now sadly. |
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Obligatory Aussie seethe.......
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BJT, I use the term mockingly to all British media who as usual want everyone to think their event is the best around, Premiership etc. Ramruma, that excuse for Epsom is a cop out. I've been at better point to point tracks than Epsom. I'll have to get onto the Irish Turf Club about changing the Irish Derby to Bellewstown!
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A lot of the pikies given council houses without any thought of the effect that it might have on the great day...........
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Dilution. The event hasn't changed, but perceptions of it have.
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I realise there might be political problems but Downpatrick has to be the course for the Irish Derby.
I think Plumpton is ideal for The Champion Hurdle and fakenham should stage the Gold Cup. The GN can stay at the new RSPCA Aintree course. |
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It still is a Big Day in world racing & always will be imo. Roll-on 4pm.
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The Day the Derby doesnt make my pulse race is when i know thats it, my wife has instructions for my ashes to be scattered at the 3f pole......
Id have the race on a Weds evening Primetime though..... |
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I remember going to the Derby in the late 40s early 50s when a million people used
to attend, where there were portable cells in use to lock up welching bookies, three card trick merchants and pickpockets, the weather always seemed good and a great time was had by nearly all. Happy memories. |
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There all on "comminuty service" now collecting £5 per person on the downs
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