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John McCririck, whose unique and colourful broadcasting style made him a household name far beyond the confines of the sport he reported on, has died aged 79.
For more than three decades McCririck was an integral part of racing coverage on British television in his role as betting guru for ITV and then Channel 4 Racing, as well as appearing regularly on what was then At The Races.
For more than three decades McCririck was an integral part of racing coverage on British television in his role as betting guru for ITV and then Channel 4 Racing, as well as appearing regularly on what was then At The Races.
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heard on luck on sunday that an article pertaining to brian toomey's death had been pre-written
shocking
shocking
his jousts with barry dennis on monday nights at Windsor were great entertainment, big mac from the world of lumping on the cecil,stoute,harwood fav in the maiden getting out stakes
My wife met him at a Buckingham Palace garden party, she told me he was very sick, I said why what did he say to you, she said no he's not well, I said I knew that for years. He apparently was a gent, couldn't have been nicer, he was a great character, spoke his mind, upset everyone but was actually a really nice guy
rip John McCririck..I think he did a lot to publicize Horse Racing to the General Public.
It is a pity Horse Racing does not have someone like that know
It is a pity Horse Racing does not have someone like that know
Still mantain his sacking was more to do with his bookie bashing comments which obviously have & will not be tolerated in today's climate rather than an ageist thing that JM actually voiced himself.
I think you are right irishone. I think he's one of those people that the more you got to know him, the more you warmed to him (or less you disliked him). It's one of the reasons why he was generally loved by horse racing followers and maybe not by people outside the sport.
I bet heavily on Big Brother in its early years and the year he went in I opposed him thinking the BB audience would never warm to him, he would likely be up for eviction, and his price would be too short due to horse racing punters backing him blind. This was the way it turned out as he was very unpopular in the early stages of the show. and was up for eviction. The first one he survived, partly due to luck and the second one he was up against Bez, who was the eventual winner of the show. I was very confident he had almost no chance right up until the day or two before the elimination show. His popularity was increasing significantly and I was defnitely worried that had he survived that elimination, with the momemtum he clearly had, that he might go on to win the show, despite very likely being nominated for every elimination.
I bet heavily on Big Brother in its early years and the year he went in I opposed him thinking the BB audience would never warm to him, he would likely be up for eviction, and his price would be too short due to horse racing punters backing him blind. This was the way it turned out as he was very unpopular in the early stages of the show. and was up for eviction. The first one he survived, partly due to luck and the second one he was up against Bez, who was the eventual winner of the show. I was very confident he had almost no chance right up until the day or two before the elimination show. His popularity was increasing significantly and I was defnitely worried that had he survived that elimination, with the momemtum he clearly had, that he might go on to win the show, despite very likely being nominated for every elimination.
1st time poster
Prog might have been After Dark on channel 4
Prog might have been After Dark on channel 4
In the early days of ch4 racing it was Big Mac we had to thank for making bookies honour their eary advertized RP prices for 15 minutes at 10am.Indeed he got ST@NLEY taken of the page or refusing to honor the pricewise selections.
Got me into racing properly
1995 2000 guineas:
He was all for Pennekamp ....and it duly won turning over Jimbo's hot tip the 4/6 jolly Celtic Swing.
A week later ...he was in vintage form and clearly couldn't wait to shoot Jimbo McGrath down on the aftermath on the Morning Line.TBF Jimbo put up a pretty decent defence of Celtic Swing but Big Mac was having none of it "TAKE THE CRIMINAL DOWN!" he kept bellowing, till he drowned him out
Life was never dull with him around
RIP old son
1995 2000 guineas:
He was all for Pennekamp ....and it duly won turning over Jimbo's hot tip the 4/6 jolly Celtic Swing.
A week later ...he was in vintage form and clearly couldn't wait to shoot Jimbo McGrath down on the aftermath on the Morning Line.TBF Jimbo put up a pretty decent defence of Celtic Swing but Big Mac was having none of it "TAKE THE CRIMINAL DOWN!" he kept bellowing, till he drowned him out
Life was never dull with him around
RIP old son
RIP John, a true punters pal, not afraid to rock the boat, an example to the lily livered shower we have these days.
Great man ,with what he did for our sport,and looking at the negative posters on here,highly popular with
those that follow the sport.He wasn't perfect .but then again who is ? RIP John.
those that follow the sport.He wasn't perfect .but then again who is ? RIP John.
fatto
you could be right,cant remember who it was but a few weeks ago heard someone talking about same show and he was a friend of big macs on same show,and said before it went on big mac asked this friend to look after him because he was going to get ripped up for shoitehouse paper by so called lefties
you could be right,cant remember who it was but a few weeks ago heard someone talking about same show and he was a friend of big macs on same show,and said before it went on big mac asked this friend to look after him because he was going to get ripped up for shoitehouse paper by so called lefties
he added a lot of colour with his enthusiasm for betting and was a big part of the C4 success, he brought gambles alive at a time when what was going on in the ring was at the heart of the market and relayed important information to the viewer, what the faces were doing, flip flopping favs etc always surrounded by a crowd of race goers, never dull and much missed, RIP
Bombastic guy, but at least he was an original one off, rather than the current crop of non questioning racing pundits in the media nowadays. I don't believe that anyone should be slagged off on social media when they die. Remember that family and friends will be either suffering or saddened.
1st time poster
Program according to IMDB aired on 9 april 1988.
One of the other guests was Barney curley.
Hosted by Tony wilson of hacienda fame.
Program according to IMDB aired on 9 april 1988.
One of the other guests was Barney curley.
Hosted by Tony wilson of hacienda fame.
He definitely didn't fancy Zenyatta though 
Great days
Great days
Another Channel 4 colleague, the former champion jockey John Francome, said: “He reached outside the sport – the two names that were mentioned by people outside racing were Frankie Dettori and Big Mac.”
Francome added: “He had a persona for TV, he was nothing like what you saw on screen, he was a lovely man.”
R.I.P
Francome added: “He had a persona for TV, he was nothing like what you saw on screen, he was a lovely man.”
R.I.P
Never a dull moment in his company , which I was fortunate to be on a number of occasions .
RIP John
RIP John
That is very sad to hear. A top class journalist and betting pundit. Old school gentleman who always had time for the public. Met him often and he couldn`t be more pleasant to us all and it was genuine. He answered every letter he received from viewers, all hand written replies, and was a true gent. RIP John.
fatto
yeh it was barney curleys interview on the luck show where he talked about big mac needed helping out
yeh it was barney curleys interview on the luck show where he talked about big mac needed helping out
Johnny Mustang: every single public figure of McCricrick's age or health has an obituary written up and ready for publication. Otherwise readers would be complaining about the press being disrespectful by not publishing one as soon as possible.
That After Dark with McCririck and Curley was a cracker. I loved the way the late Tony Wilson finally wound up the discussion at about 3 am by pointing out that Curley needed to be off to attend mass later that morning.
The best tribute that I can pay to McCririck is that I've watched TV on mute for decades, having become deaf, but I would always immediately switch on the subtitles when he appeared on screen. And then switch them immediately off again once he disappeared.
That After Dark with McCririck and Curley was a cracker. I loved the way the late Tony Wilson finally wound up the discussion at about 3 am by pointing out that Curley needed to be off to attend mass later that morning.
The best tribute that I can pay to McCririck is that I've watched TV on mute for decades, having become deaf, but I would always immediately switch on the subtitles when he appeared on screen. And then switch them immediately off again once he disappeared.
probably wrong memory playing tricks,but I have it in my mind that after dark show was on national day
At least he ruffled a few feathers in his day.I found him entertaining and missed him when he got the chop off the TV.
Adios Biggy
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9444848/john-mccririck-tributes-big-mac/
Our thoughts are with U Booby&fam..
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9444848/john-mccririck-tributes-big-mac/
Our thoughts are with U Booby&fam..
I am so saddened by the news. A complete one off, and a thoroughly entertaining fellow. Never one to shirk the truth, he brought racing to the fore with his outspoken, and sometimes venomous rants! Characters are few and far between nowadays, with far too many pundits happy to simply nod their heads and agree with their peers. RIP Big Mac.
Sad news - a part of my personal memories for racing and betting on TV shows like Big Brother.
All the best, hope you're running a book up there in the sky somewhere big John.
All the best, hope you're running a book up there in the sky somewhere big John.
A colourful character and I was a fan....R.I.P Big Mac.
Tributes are being paid to John by figures from the worlds of racing and entertainment.....
"Very sad to hear the news of John McCririck's passing - one of the most recognisable faces from the world of horse racing and a great at promoting our sport," tweeted 20-time champion jockey AP McCoy.
Three-time champion jockey Frankie Dettori, 48, said he first met McCririck as a 16-year-old apprentice and the broadcaster was "a big part of my racing life."
"He was very flamboyant and controversial but I always got on really well with him," said Dettori.
"He did put on a bit of a show but underneath it all he worked very hard and he was very knowledgeable about racing."
The British Horseracing Authority also paid tribute, saying: "Throughout a lengthy & colourful career one thing was always clear - his enduring passion & love for the sport of horseracing. He was a recognisable figure and resonated with the wider public."
Ascot Racecourse tweeted: "He was an unmistakable presence in racing, and one of the most impactful broadcasters of his generation."
Broadcaster Nick Luck, a former Channel 4 colleague, added: "Life without John McCririck will be far less interesting - he was a magnificent journalist first and a great showman. So often very kind to me and many, many others."
"Very sad to hear the news of John McCririck's passing - one of the most recognisable faces from the world of horse racing and a great at promoting our sport," tweeted 20-time champion jockey AP McCoy.
Three-time champion jockey Frankie Dettori, 48, said he first met McCririck as a 16-year-old apprentice and the broadcaster was "a big part of my racing life."
"He was very flamboyant and controversial but I always got on really well with him," said Dettori.
"He did put on a bit of a show but underneath it all he worked very hard and he was very knowledgeable about racing."
The British Horseracing Authority also paid tribute, saying: "Throughout a lengthy & colourful career one thing was always clear - his enduring passion & love for the sport of horseracing. He was a recognisable figure and resonated with the wider public."
Ascot Racecourse tweeted: "He was an unmistakable presence in racing, and one of the most impactful broadcasters of his generation."
Broadcaster Nick Luck, a former Channel 4 colleague, added: "Life without John McCririck will be far less interesting - he was a magnificent journalist first and a great showman. So often very kind to me and many, many others."
Channel 4 + ITV should hold their heads in shame.
John quietly helped a lot of people. He was a gentleman and a great tv pundit.
I loved the guy; I loved his style, his character, his way of presenting. Remember, he lasted a long time on TV. He was good for racing. R.I.P. John.
Jul 5, 2019 -- 11:28AM, stewarts rise wrote:
Great TV when he was paired with Edwina Currie, Wife Swap or something, absolutely no chance of him changing his ways for that odious creature!
Great line! Loved it, and so would John.
Jul 5, 2019 -- 11:40AM, Crawford wrote:
So much humbug and cant on this thread.
themightymac: After Dark went out on Saturday nights. Hence Wilson's remark about Saint Barney attending mass later that morning.
Why has my last line been edited when I said Joan Crawford was wrong to admonish John, who was a very fine journalist and promoted racing beyond any other individual?
I believe you screaming, memory can play tricks as you earlier said.
Phurst met the big hairy in deerstalker at the coursing in the 80,s ,as already mentioned once you knew what he was about the appreciation of his ability to get to the point in a no nonsense direct approach grew on one. Condolences to his family and friends and to say that old cliches about the mold being broken after his creation will never be truer .Respect .
He wasn't afraid of Barney Curly either or Ruby Walsh.
https://youtu.be/nUU0AlrNSt4
https://youtu.be/vVzJ0kq0Vd0
https://youtu.be/nUU0AlrNSt4
https://youtu.be/vVzJ0kq0Vd0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o9cA1msMRc.BEST 7 furlong/ miler ive seen on his dewhurst/ 2000 performance. PS thats the way itv racing should be
What a brilliant man you only have to read what those working closely with him have said today. He was well loved and quite shy and his persona brought racing to people’s attention. The greatest influence in my punting lifetime rip John, thanks for the great times you brought to life for us all there will never be another like you. Another legend leaves our lives.
nice tribute eric. He never sat on the fence and racing was lucky to have a man who was both highly intelligent and a really colourful character. That double rarely comes up.
There as been plenty of threads over the years saying some nasty horrible things about him but I always thought he was brilliant...RIP BIGMAC
It's extremely sad to hear about his death. He did look poorly, and gaunt nevertheless, but still a shock to hear; the bloke could represent a massive chunk of the present horse racing pundits and reporters; the bloke was a racing encyclopedia. He might be controversial, but always speaking for the punters. If only he was still around when Moore rode calamity after calamity each year at Royal Ascot or Coolmore were less sporting in the game.
I think with the present environment punters is facing eg inability to place bets/accounts closed, etc, he could have been extremely helpful in our cause. Strange but true, he's more missed when he was off the air similar to Princess Diana post her death, for me anyway.
RIP, Big Mac!
I think with the present environment punters is facing eg inability to place bets/accounts closed, etc, he could have been extremely helpful in our cause. Strange but true, he's more missed when he was off the air similar to Princess Diana post her death, for me anyway.
RIP, Big Mac!
Sent him a bottle of wine years ago for some help he gave me and received a hand written letter from him which I was not expecting. Always liked him and it`s sad he will not be gracing our screens ever again. Feel for his wife and any other family he may have.
Sad but I'm raising a glass in celebration of the man ... cheers Big Mac!!!
I always liked him even before his channel four days when he extended his his already colourful persona.
I had an old picture of a slimmer Mac from his early days in a well fitting white suit with other journalists interviewing a trainer.
I sent it to Thommo to see what he would do with it on the Morning Line but he passed it over to Mac who E-Mailed saying 'What a handsome chap I was in those days.
I often E-Mailed him and Tanya on racing matters and always had a detailed reply.I wonder why I stopped watching the Saturday Morning racing shows after he got the push ?
My wife was waiting for me at York Station one Saturday and Mac was standing in front of her talking to Emma Ramsden. My wife said she was surprised at how normal he was off screen.
He loved the sport and did a lot for it though he was not used enough because of his reputation.
I had an old picture of a slimmer Mac from his early days in a well fitting white suit with other journalists interviewing a trainer.
I sent it to Thommo to see what he would do with it on the Morning Line but he passed it over to Mac who E-Mailed saying 'What a handsome chap I was in those days.
I often E-Mailed him and Tanya on racing matters and always had a detailed reply.I wonder why I stopped watching the Saturday Morning racing shows after he got the push ?
My wife was waiting for me at York Station one Saturday and Mac was standing in front of her talking to Emma Ramsden. My wife said she was surprised at how normal he was off screen.
He loved the sport and did a lot for it though he was not used enough because of his reputation.
I always liked him even before his channel four days when he extended his his already colourful persona.
I had an old picture of a slimmer Mac from his early days in a well fitting white suit with other journalists interviewing a trainer.
I sent it to Thommo to see what he would do with it on the Morning Line but he passed it over to Mac who E-Mailed saying 'What a handsome chap I was in those days.
I often E-Mailed him and Tanya on racing matters and always had a detailed reply.I wonder why I stopped watching the Saturday Morning racing shows after he got the push ?
My wife was waiting for me at York Station one Saturday and Mac was standing in front of her talking to Emma Ramsden. My wife said she was surprised at how normal he was off screen.
He loved the sport and did a lot for it though he was not used enough because of his reputation.
I had an old picture of a slimmer Mac from his early days in a well fitting white suit with other journalists interviewing a trainer.
I sent it to Thommo to see what he would do with it on the Morning Line but he passed it over to Mac who E-Mailed saying 'What a handsome chap I was in those days.
I often E-Mailed him and Tanya on racing matters and always had a detailed reply.I wonder why I stopped watching the Saturday Morning racing shows after he got the push ?
My wife was waiting for me at York Station one Saturday and Mac was standing in front of her talking to Emma Ramsden. My wife said she was surprised at how normal he was off screen.
He loved the sport and did a lot for it though he was not used enough because of his reputation.
Whenever he was on TV you were entertained. He was great.
elisjohn 05 Jul 19 11:13
my wife only knows 4 things about horse racing, lester piggott, grand national,red rum, and john mccririck.
Yeh The Sun 's pin up boy of horse racing !!!
Hardly a good look was it !!?
my wife only knows 4 things about horse racing, lester piggott, grand national,red rum, and john mccririck.
Yeh The Sun 's pin up boy of horse racing !!!
Hardly a good look was it !!?
Joining The Sporting Life in the early 1970s was the making of McCririck and, in a way, the making of The Sporting Life. His brashness and arrogance made him unpopular with the staff, but Ossie Fletcher, the Life's editor, recognised his worth.
McCririck brought investigative reporting to the Life, and racing has never had a better exponent of it. In 1978, McCririck was voted the Specialist Writer of the Year in the British Press Awards; in 1979, the Campaigning Journalist of the Year.
In 1978, McCririck had exposed a sting based on the fact that Extel, who used to broadcast commentaries into betting shops, gave the off-times for greyhound races in minutes, without the refinement of seconds. By briefly delaying the commentaries, criminals were able to back dogs after a race had started.
The same year, McCririck took the lead in covering the Rochester greyhound coup, which would have won pounds 350,000 for its clever architects, and should have done, but bookmakers refused to pay out.
In 1979, McCririck hit the jackpot with "Totegate". On July 4, at Carlisle, Shine On, at 11-1, and Tinas Gold, at 20-1, finished first and second in an 18-runner handicap. The dual forecast paid 45p to a 10p stake.
Persistence enabled McCririck to establish that the Tote had developed a practice of putting winning off-course bets into the racecourse pool after the race result was known.
Further persistence persuaded a reluctant Home Secretary, Willie Whitelaw, to set up an independent inquiry from which Woodrow Wyatt, the Tote chairman, was lucky to escape with his job.
At the Life, McCririck revealed what he still displays, a tremendous feel for what matters to punters, and what stands at the core of racing and betting issues. It was McCririck who issued an early, 1983, warning against computerised SPs.
McCririck brought investigative reporting to the Life, and racing has never had a better exponent of it. In 1978, McCririck was voted the Specialist Writer of the Year in the British Press Awards; in 1979, the Campaigning Journalist of the Year.
In 1978, McCririck had exposed a sting based on the fact that Extel, who used to broadcast commentaries into betting shops, gave the off-times for greyhound races in minutes, without the refinement of seconds. By briefly delaying the commentaries, criminals were able to back dogs after a race had started.
The same year, McCririck took the lead in covering the Rochester greyhound coup, which would have won pounds 350,000 for its clever architects, and should have done, but bookmakers refused to pay out.
In 1979, McCririck hit the jackpot with "Totegate". On July 4, at Carlisle, Shine On, at 11-1, and Tinas Gold, at 20-1, finished first and second in an 18-runner handicap. The dual forecast paid 45p to a 10p stake.
Persistence enabled McCririck to establish that the Tote had developed a practice of putting winning off-course bets into the racecourse pool after the race result was known.
Further persistence persuaded a reluctant Home Secretary, Willie Whitelaw, to set up an independent inquiry from which Woodrow Wyatt, the Tote chairman, was lucky to escape with his job.
At the Life, McCririck revealed what he still displays, a tremendous feel for what matters to punters, and what stands at the core of racing and betting issues. It was McCririck who issued an early, 1983, warning against computerised SPs.
Diff-rent 05 Jul 19 17:58
He wasn't afraid of Barney Curly either or Ruby Walsh.
Barney ' saved his bacon'
Sparrow.
But then he ' sold out' and became a ' Sun Celebrity ' Tv gave him a loud voice and it became all about him and his ego.
Then followed dumbed down reality cv appearances, which were toe curlingly embarrassing.
For him then to be associated with the Sport of Kings was equally embarrassing.
But then he ' sold out' and became a ' Sun Celebrity ' Tv gave him a loud voice and it became all about him and his ego.
Then followed dumbed down reality cv appearances, which were toe curlingly embarrassing.
For him then to be associated with the Sport of Kings was equally embarrassing.
He was good for Racing which is all I'm concerned about facts as I have no interest in watching all that reality nonsense.
RIP John. A brilliant passionate journalist/TV presence who also loved the dawgs. Times changed and his opinions were no longer welcome as times moved into not being able to speak your mind if it consisted anything deemed offensive. Fast forward to now and that is absolutely 100% remotely offensive. Crying shame and imo Channel 4 were wrong. The sacking (because that's what is was) and the following legal battle, as good as finished him. Never be forgotten by many though. Never see his like again. Shame
Always lighting up our tv screens.
A real character.
R.I.P.
A real character.
R.I.P.
Just reading in the post....''Grow up,teach your children to behave,what is wrong with you?,..you're 55 and look at you!''(to a punter in the ring)..
...classic Mac.
...classic Mac.
It would be fitting if horse racing named a race in his memory.
Very sad news indeed. Channel 4 Racing was in a different league back then compared to the current ITV uneducated buffoons. Thommo, Big Mac, Francome, Jim, Brough Scott etc were just superb. What do we have today? The idiotic thick as two short planks bint Cumani, Bell, Luke Harvey, Weaver, Chapman etc please...and on RUK we get the worst of them all in Naughton! So glad I was around for racing in the 70's, 80's etc. Well done Big Mac you were a true gent and sorely missed. Rest in Peace
God Bless John.God protect his soul.I saw him as a good man.
Has anyone noticed all the MSM who show the famous video 'of John Luke and Barney' have cut the part were Barney tells viewers that you cannot get a bet on with the bookies'You cannot have 2 bananas to a banana with the big bookies'And also the part were Barney mentions Matt always upping these bookie odds.That is very interesting.Wonder who decided to remove that.
A clown in a mad circus , Little more Little else ,Chapman is a poor subsistute .......
Mac was a Punter ,he knew the Game ,he knew the ups and the Downs, he was long gone years back' but somehow
Managed to steal a living out of it , The day he had to take over the Commentary because of a Technical failure Lives
Long in my memory ,was a 4 runner race , I am sure someone on here must remember it , He called the Winner home an was
Roaring about a future gold cup winner ,The horse he thought had won was Love from verona If I remember Correctly, it
was Tailed off last ,Having started at short odds for the RaceIts a long time back ,
I was only a Kid ,But I thought thats the Wrong fooking horse he is calling
Mac was a Punter ,he knew the Game ,he knew the ups and the Downs, he was long gone years back' but somehow
Managed to steal a living out of it , The day he had to take over the Commentary because of a Technical failure Lives
Long in my memory ,was a 4 runner race , I am sure someone on here must remember it , He called the Winner home an was
Roaring about a future gold cup winner ,The horse he thought had won was Love from verona If I remember Correctly, it
was Tailed off last ,Having started at short odds for the Race
Its a long time back ,I was only a Kid ,But I thought thats the Wrong fooking horse he is calling
To give him Due he had taken the Comms over Mid race , and never done another Comm ..
RIP Big Mac
RIP Big Mac
Regarding the Wrong Comm race , I believe the Horse that won was called Henry Kissinger , Someone must be able to put me right or wrong 
Did not like Mcririck spouting his political views but thought he was a top man when talking about racing , like many of said he knew the game and the way it worked , was a an abrasive but entertaining and thought proving character rip
The old nanny,I think the favourite was Venture To Cognac.
He was a great supporter of the sport of horse racing but not a particularly nice human being as can be gauged by the tone of many of the tributes that have been paid to him.
He had a taste for the finer things in life, an extraordinary sense of entitlement and was a snob who looked down on the “little people”.
He used to be a regular diner at the Ivy where he’d always demand to sit at one of the better tables so that he could see and be seen by everyone dining there. Last time I saw him was in the BA lounge at San Diego after the 2017 Breeders Cup. He was loud and boorish as he got his wife to run around for him catering for his every whim. Lots of racing folk were in the lounge. Many exchanged pleasantries with his wife but they invariably steered clear of Big Mac, He looked ill then and was probably already beginning to suffer from the cancer that eventually killed him.
He had a taste for the finer things in life, an extraordinary sense of entitlement and was a snob who looked down on the “little people”.
He used to be a regular diner at the Ivy where he’d always demand to sit at one of the better tables so that he could see and be seen by everyone dining there. Last time I saw him was in the BA lounge at San Diego after the 2017 Breeders Cup. He was loud and boorish as he got his wife to run around for him catering for his every whim. Lots of racing folk were in the lounge. Many exchanged pleasantries with his wife but they invariably steered clear of Big Mac, He looked ill then and was probably already beginning to suffer from the cancer that eventually killed him.
Good post Cash. I certainly think you are correct but I suppose any talented person wants to avoid "cattle class" for the most part. Especially when your in a business where image counts for much and a sport where your public school background can help so much.
When one does not have kids, and a property pension initiated by his booby's investment in real estate to live on was it wrong to enjoy the finer things in life? The bloke deserved it galavanting from one meeting to the next mixing with individuals and entities who could be taxing at times; he was also extremely generous with friends and charities he supported too.
The bloke was a top man in his profession, and he loved the sport that gave him his living and enjoyment. He was not afraid to speak out about poor jockeyship at the expense of punters eg Carson dropping his hands and getting caught on the line for a win and/or place; betting entities cheating punters on deduction; the manipulation of dividends by the Tote, etc.
Yes, his politics was not the cup of tea for most - no surprise there, would you being an Harrovian? I hope his 'booby' all the best for the future; try and adjust to life without him; enjoy the finest things in life; put herself 1st. And, hopefully be as happy as she'd be.
The bloke was a top man in his profession, and he loved the sport that gave him his living and enjoyment. He was not afraid to speak out about poor jockeyship at the expense of punters eg Carson dropping his hands and getting caught on the line for a win and/or place; betting entities cheating punters on deduction; the manipulation of dividends by the Tote, etc.
Yes, his politics was not the cup of tea for most - no surprise there, would you being an Harrovian? I hope his 'booby' all the best for the future; try and adjust to life without him; enjoy the finest things in life; put herself 1st. And, hopefully be as happy as she'd be.
mouse muldoon 05 Jul 19 21:01
They're more tragic sign now.
Facts 05 Jul 19 21:06
As was McCririck
elisjohn 05 Jul 19 11:13
my wife only knows 4 things about horse racing, lester piggott, grand national,red rum, and john mccririck.
Facts 05 Jul 19 21:09
Yeh The Sun 's pin up boy of horse racing !!!
Hardly a good look was it !!?
Facts 05 Jul 19 21:18
But then he ' sold out' and became a ' Sun Celebrity ' Tv gave him a loud voice and it became all about him and his ego.
Then followed dumbed down reality cv appearances, which were toe curlingly embarrassing.
For him then to be associated with the Sport of Kings was equally embarrassing.
Diff-rent 05 Jul 19 17:58
He wasn't afraid of Barney Curly either or Ruby Walsh.
Facts 05 Jul 19 21:13
Barney ' saved his bacon'
Numerous gleefully enthusiastic attacks, across threads, on a dead man? What is wrong with you, how did your parents ever manage to produce something so grotesque? Are you a human being? If so, you`re a despicable one.
They're more tragic sign now.
Facts 05 Jul 19 21:06
As was McCririck
elisjohn 05 Jul 19 11:13
my wife only knows 4 things about horse racing, lester piggott, grand national,red rum, and john mccririck.
Facts 05 Jul 19 21:09
Yeh The Sun 's pin up boy of horse racing !!!
Hardly a good look was it !!?
Facts 05 Jul 19 21:18
But then he ' sold out' and became a ' Sun Celebrity ' Tv gave him a loud voice and it became all about him and his ego.
Then followed dumbed down reality cv appearances, which were toe curlingly embarrassing.
For him then to be associated with the Sport of Kings was equally embarrassing.
Diff-rent 05 Jul 19 17:58
He wasn't afraid of Barney Curly either or Ruby Walsh.
Facts 05 Jul 19 21:13
Barney ' saved his bacon'
Numerous gleefully enthusiastic attacks, across threads, on a dead man? What is wrong with you, how did your parents ever manage to produce something so grotesque? Are you a human being? If so, you`re a despicable one.
Reg the episode of 'After Dark' referred to earlier in the thread;
Tony Wilson was joined by McCririck, Curley, Brian Radford, Duncan Keith,
someone who was referred to as an 'Aintree Resident' who stated he was a communist,
and an anonymous 'problem gambler' who sat in shadow for the whole show.
Keith claimed that he stopped plenty of horses by going too fast out in front.
McCririck thought it sad that a once great front running jockey was now resorting
to these tales. Wilson then suggested to McCririck that perhaps some of these rides
that he considered bold attempts at leading all the way were in fact Keith stopping
the horse !
Radford ( who is still writing and must be absolutely ancient) reckoned, in
customary Radford mode, that he was about to reveal a story that would shake racing.
He said it involved a well known trainer putting weights in the foreleg bandages
of his horses. Not altogether surprising that nothing more was ever heard of this.
Tony Wilson was joined by McCririck, Curley, Brian Radford, Duncan Keith,
someone who was referred to as an 'Aintree Resident' who stated he was a communist,
and an anonymous 'problem gambler' who sat in shadow for the whole show.
Keith claimed that he stopped plenty of horses by going too fast out in front.
McCririck thought it sad that a once great front running jockey was now resorting
to these tales. Wilson then suggested to McCririck that perhaps some of these rides
that he considered bold attempts at leading all the way were in fact Keith stopping
the horse !
Radford ( who is still writing and must be absolutely ancient) reckoned, in
customary Radford mode, that he was about to reveal a story that would shake racing.
He said it involved a well known trainer putting weights in the foreleg bandages
of his horses. Not altogether surprising that nothing more was ever heard of this.
Nice tribute by Claude Duval on Luck on Sunday. Don't know whether anyone has mentioned but Big Mac had lung cancer.
These people suggesting that when someone dies you can only mention positives where do you draw the line?
I find it hard to believe that many outside the bubble would have viewed him in a positive light.
Even his worthy stand against the use of the whip was completely tainted by his love of blood sports.
My impression was that he was massively insecure and consequently lived his life through an act.
I find it hard to believe that many outside the bubble would have viewed him in a positive light.
Even his worthy stand against the use of the whip was completely tainted by his love of blood sports.
My impression was that he was massively insecure and consequently lived his life through an act.
Has "Posh Bird" Lesley Graham issued a tribute? She now lives (with Raymond Henley) in Glenlyon, Perthshire having headed north after abruptly resigning as CEO of Racing Welfare back in 2015.
The list of people he didn't get on with is not a short one!
All evil leftie virtue signalling pc`ers, hating truth, decency and common sense
Barrow , not sure you're right. Jimbo gave a very nice piece to the media only just touching on plenty of different views. He knew Mac would think he was livening up the programme as the main aim.
Look Gents, don't get too locked up in the never speaking ill of the dead, Big Mac was a populist anxious to jump on any popular bandwagon that would ingratiate him to the public. Be controversial was his mantra and thereby milk the public, did no one listen to Jason Weaver when he revealed yesterday that during an ad break Big Mac suggested they could have a contrived falling out on air, presumably to make the programme more interesting for the viewers. Total money-obsessed fraud! Sorry he's died but that's a fate that awaits us all!
I haven't looked in for a while but I liked the man. Especially when he pointed out the poor overrounds by the bookmakers. These were actually shown by CH4. I also liked the banter when ALL racing was off on a Saturday and the big man would sit with the likes of Francome and Jimbo talking about the game and also smoking his cigar and drinking champagne live on the box!
RIP John.
RIP John.
Do you think a former work colleague will ask for the funeral date to be changed as he is opening a betting office that day !!!
timbuctooth 07 Jul 19 15:27
All evil leftie virtue signalling pc`ers, hating truth, decency and common sense
Oh dear !
All evil leftie virtue signalling pc`ers, hating truth, decency and common sense
Oh dear !
Especially when he pointed out the poor overrounds by the bookmakers. These were actually shown by CH4
Of course that was knocked on the head when the books started advertising on TV..
Of course that was knocked on the head when the books started advertising on TV..
Agree with you cardiff although the comment from timbuctooth calling people "evil leftie virtue signalling pc'ers was clearly ridiculous.
No it wasn`t. If in doubt, compare the names of the disrespectful on this, and other, threads with the long list of `evil leftie virtue signalling pc`ers, hating truth, decency and common sense` who pollute both too many threads, and our very life on this planet. The names are the same. No surprise, of course, as they hate, despise and fear the very concept of `individualism`, preferring globalised under-performing uniform non-entities. Usually because they themselves are not at ease with themselves, recognising the dark soul that lurks within, unhappy with the thought of having to think for themselves, needing Nanny`s reassurance that `we`re all equal, nobody and nothing is right or wrong, nor better or worse, your truth is equally valid; here`s your dole money and participation trophy, you can now go back to your safe space and continue reading `The Party Line`.
Pathetic specimens, with oafs like facts and study/scandy being particularly fine examples
Pathetic specimens, with oafs like facts and study/scandy being particularly fine examples
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