....End Of A Era ....

Not sure if it's the Tissues or a Puke-bag that's needed after that statement.....perhaps we'll just let the readers decide

It can be the coldest racecourse in these isles even in summer. Not certain there will be many tears.

Arkle, that's one vote for the Puke bag

Theres racing there again on the 13th May next year, so they will be closed for approximately 2 meetings. Its a death knell very similar to the one that could be heard when Bobby Ewing passed away in Dallas.
The original post is just yet another example why nobody posts on here anymore.

Billy Lee rode another very stylish winner today.

Rockonga, Tudor City and Texas Rock would be winners of his I've noticed lately all extremely confidently ridden.

Bigwilliestyle said years ago on this board that he was top-class, and that he had weight issues. I think he is well worth a retainer somewhere. If I was Richard Hannon, I'd sign him up straight away.

Wildmanfromborneo, im not sure where you get the notion that i'm constantly bellyaching, and its a touch fanciful to suggest that this so called bellyaching has anything to do with the place being demolished.
As for the fussy alsatian, well that one went completely over my head.
All i did say is that the original post is completely over the top and has no factual basis, hardly surprising considering who penned it.
It is akin to someone getting a couple of rooms painted and going round telling everyone that they are levelling the place.

They are leveling the place mate , hense the reason for the post , gone forever a way of life known to many . I spoke to people yesterday who were genuinley saddened at the loss of what to them was something that was constant , always in their lives, I spoke to trainers, press ,security staff , jockeys yesterday , each and everyone of them said they'd miss the place , yes it will rise Pheonix like from the ashes ,and for a new generation it will hopefully grow to have wonderful memories . You discribed Tipperary as been soul less ,I think it is you that is soul less .

Jimeen my reference to you in my post is just me skitting.

I was there when Ragusa riden by Garnie Bougoure won irish derby over 50years ago, many greats have won since including Grundy, Troy, Sinndar,Shergar, , the race that stays in my mind most is when Sir Ivor was long odds on in 1968 but was surprisingly beaten by Ribero, they are great memories of the old course.  No doubt there will be many great horses to win the Irish Derby in the new Curragh, but as an old timer i understand were W/R is coming from.

I've never read such ghoulash in all my born days . Gone forever , always in their lives, they'd miss the place, well maybe I am missing something , but this racecourse is getting a face lift, it isn't closing. The Guineas is on there next year, so is the Derby and the other classics.
There was nobody there yesterday genuinely saddened, nobody could care less.

I remember the old Curragh , before it started to run the sponsored Derbys etc at the start of the 60's probably . Then it boasted the longest bar in Europe , from about the 2 furlong pole to the winning post approx .

The one thing which never changed ( other than demise of the occasional hurdle race ) was the track , and presumably it will still remain the same .  The other amendments ( spending 65 million or so ) are peripheral to most of us punters , and the horses won't notice any difference .  90% 0f racing days there won't be huge crowds even after spending 65 million , and I am not convinced that racing is a growth industry any longer , despite our continuing success internationally.

Exchanges and online offers etc have taken the atmosphere out of the betting ring.
Big owners and near monopolies have taken away from the spectacle of racing both flat and NH.
Add to that the facility of being able to watch all races on tv, the buzz has gone out of going racing.

Way of the world , mitch . Cant see it ever reverting to the mighty craic situation it used to be .

Tempora mutantur,nos et mutamur in illis.

Bob

Just a small bit cynical for me Mitch,not for a second saying you aren't right.

Times have certainly moved on,i am also not saying horse racing isn't in decline.
THe fundamental of a horse giving a 100% isn't lost yet,it is a powerful thing and whether it is viewed at a course or tv is slightly moot.

Todays Tuesday card had a potential top class horse in Diamond King, a possible National horse in Maninerio down the line and a quite cracking though accept nothing exceptional horse wise duel of jockeyship in the bumper.

Never before has information been so freely available,nether has markets been so competitive,not all bad at all(imo).

Kelly I thought Galway held the claim of "Longest Bar In Europe"

I only remember the Curragh bar from the late 60s. I used to enjoy the pub that was situated at the back of the grandstand(can't remember the name)  for post  race pints. Lots of 3 card trick men etc.

mrcombustible , Galway may well have had that too , first time I sampled that bar on the Curragh was Tambourine's Derby day win , on a scorching hot day . Records as they say are there to be broken , and we Irish love our pub culture . Mind you I was still a Pioneer that Derby day .

mrcombustible, It was Leahys bar. Trying to get the old man out of it proved difficult on occasions.

Thanks Observer, yes Leahys brings back memories a bit like the Half Way House for Phoenix Park