The BHA MUST do something about this.

Should be classed as non-runners really.

Flying pursuit had no chance - came out blind-folded for a few strides.

Might be totally wrong here but don't the starter shout
'Blindfolds' just before letting 'em go?

Exactly, leif. That horse ran part of the race wearing undisclosed headgear. It should be disqualified

if finishing in the money and all bets voided.

Also there is an integrity issue . I'm not suggesting that it was the case in the Carlisle race,

but what a perfect way to throw a race.

Even if he does, Penzance, he shouldn't start the race until all blindfolds are off in my view.

Can anyone think of any other racing jurisdiction in the World where runners are loaded wearing

blindfolds. other than possibly Ireland ?

plank walkers?

been tumblin down the handicap, admittedly it's an 8yr old now.
Be handy if they dropped it a couple of pounds more after this dismal effort.

A vet was astounded horses wore redhoods going down to the start during the heatwave. The headgear would make the horse feel even hotter, and more likely stressed too.

Why can't they run blindfolded?

Would prob be easier to steer and only need to be mildly whipped.

Obviously no use over jumps, hurdles perhaps, jockey could shout 1-2-3 jump, but wouldn't trust it in a  chases.

Can’t see that working most Jockeys are unable to count to 3

Not just blindfolds but horses which "need" to be loaded last . If they don't like being in  the stalls , then they need to be trained to accept it and if they still can't hack it then they can't run.

It’s thick uk what do you expect ? Sense

Probably one of the most Sensible Threads started on here in years.

I entirely agree with the OP's remarks ... and other sensible suggestions posted.

It'll get worse. Letting these horses wear red hoods will only increase fractious horses into the breeding programmes. I think it is allowing trainers to send their 2yo's to the track without proper handling and training at home.

Send all the trainers to the USA to learn how to train them to go in the stalls and without blindfolds too.

I fail to understand how some horses are allowed to be loaded by stable staff,as opposed to the professional stalls handlers,who are continually bigged up as being the best.Yes,we know some horses can be a total --- at the stalls,but it is the stall handlers job to load not stable staff.
Also the loading process,in many cases,needs a hurry-up,as too many easy loaders are often left in the stalls for what seems an age.Jockeys often sit so far away from the stalls which is wrong,and not the practice in other racing lands.Sometimes it is painful to watch,and you think why aren't they getting on with it quicker,and load two at a time,like 1,7  2,8 etc.

Wider stalls would help much like the American stalls. The problem is our race courses don't own

their own stalls (with the odd exception such as York which I'll comment on later), so the stalls have

to be transported all over our narrow roads and so economy is more important than practicality.

York purchased a set of stalls for use in large fields especially in 5/6 furlong races but all

they were interested in was being able to have one set for up to 22 runners. They missed the

opportunity to have wider stalls.

Spot on unbiased.

I've often wondered what the stewards would do if all trainers in a race requested for their runners

to be loaded last!

they had one of those in stall cameras at Goodwood (i think) last week and it really struck home how narrow our stalls are

Another one today ...

'Blindfold off late and slowly into stride,'

- ended up in a Photo for 3rd.

Aug 3, 2022 -- 10:21AM, duncan idaho wrote:

they had one of those in stall cameras at Goodwood (i think) last week and it really struck home how narrow our stalls are

Duncan, hello old friend first. Were you a jockey? I never considered you to be one.

How many jockeys have ever been penalised for the late removal of a blindfold? I don't recall one. They must all be either accidental or unavoidable. The BHA is not fit for purpose.

You could rig something up so when the starter presses his button thingy the blindfolds are automatically removed and then the gates open.

Or more manual make the blindfolds with a Velcro seam on the front and back but connected to the gates so when the gates open they automatically split into two and come off.

But I think this pretty fixable.

I was going to build a prototype for testing but really I can’t be bothered so maybe one of you can get inspired and try it.

Maybe you might money too. Who knows.

Have you noticed how - When the Blindfold is put onto the horse's head (by the Stalls Handlers) they then ...

- TUCK the Blindfold INTO the horse's Bridle.

Common sense tells you that some Stalls Handlers will TUCK the Blindfold in TIGHTER than others do - thus making it HARDER to Remove.

- So the Release/Pulling of the Blindfold by the JOCKEY will be more DIFFICULT in some/many Instances than others.

That is EQUINE BINGO.

Why does the Blindfold have to be Tucked in, therefore?

They will say - The horse could shake it's head, and the Blindfold come off, when in the Stalls.

In many instances that will NOT matter (lots of horses when they are IN the Stalls simply stand and wait) - as the Blindfold is primarily to get the Horse to ENTER the Stalls

If a horse were to shake the Blindfold Off - Then simple ...

WITHDRAWN immediately ... and put the Onus back onto the Trainer to get the Horse more Stalls compliant...


Instead of 'ARTIFICIAL Aids'(Blindfolds) that INCONVENIENCE others ...

Obviously - Punters included.

Why cannot the starter shout (after all horses loaded) 'Blindfolds Off', wait three to five seconds maximum, and then 'Jockeys - Go'

But the amount of horses playing up at the stalls must be addressed anyway. Among several ways, here are two to be going on with:

1/ Fine the trainer so that they at give their horses more stalls training than they currently receive.

2/ Courses should be made to let horses go down in front of the stands much more. The fashion now is that the horses, with honorable exception of York and one or two others, go straight to post and only go down past the stands when they have to. Not only should the public be seeing the horses go to post more, it would also help to settle down the more fractious horses.

The BHA are useless and are currently more interested in 'It's everyone's turf' - unless, going by  the photo used for the campaign, you are older, male, and white - funnily enough still the largest majority of regular racegoers!

Why would - "going down in front of the stands much more" ... "help to settle down the more fractious horses."


When Trainers like Aidan O'Brien - and many others- OFTEN Blatantly ignore the 'Parade Rules' for Big Races - Because, in their opinion - it can be a NEGATIVE and unnecessarily UPSET the horses even more - for no positive purpose whatsoever...
- except allow a few - rapidly dwindling old-time racegoers - to gawp at the horses - even if they actually know what they are actually looking at/for...

I completely fail to see your point.