A thought for the day

The sad demise of No more More Heroes has once again but to the fore how fragile these beautiful creatures are.

As a younger man i gave no real thought to their well being. Growing up as a boy sitting with my dad and grandad watching the racing the thrill and excitement was in trying to pick the winner. Cheltenham week, i would race home from school to try and catch the last race on BBC. Desert orchids triumph was my first visit to Cheltenham. I backed him and was overjoyed to see him stay up that famous hill to clinch victory. I gave no thought to Ten Plus who sadly lost his life in that race. It was only after Shadow Leaders last hurdle fatal fall in Istabraqs first Champion hurdle on a later visit to Cheltenham that it began to hit me. The crowd were going wild for Swan and Istabraq but all i could do was look back down the track, straining my neck to see if the horse i had backed had got up.
The same thing happened a few years later. I backed Looks like Trouble ante post at a good price to win the Gold Cup but i missed the end as i was watching to see if the brilliant novice Gloria Victis had got up at the second last. Sadly he hadnt.

We all love this great sport but the sight of horses like The Govaness giving their absolute all and losing their lives has now begun to leave a bitter taste in my mouth. I no longer go to Cheltenham yet i love this meeting. I know the authorities are doing all they can to minimise these deaths and i dont claim to have any miraculous answers. I wish there was. If i was lucky enough to own a horse it would feel to me like losing a family pet and my commiserations and heartfelt thoughts go out to all connections.

I just felt like saying something and putting my thoughts out there. Its feels like the old saying "stuck between a rock and a hard place". I love this meeting and know i will watch it yet i dont want to watch it!!!!