A Morning at the Gallops

re: A Morning at the Gallops

catnip lane — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:45:10 GMT

so i realize they race on the turf over there, but do you get any sense of what the break down rate is over there compared to here? I'm assuming it's less. If it is less do you think it's the racing surface or the manner in which they train?

Scot's reply: Every stat I recall seeing says that the *reported* rate of breakdowns in Europe is lower than in the States. I'd guess a lot goes into that: some factors include racing surfaces, training styles, and race types. Specifically, fewer sprints in Europe mean that horses there are neither bred nor trained for this type of contest -- both the bloodlines of sprinters and the incredible stress of sprint training contribute to higher levels of on-track injury.

re: A Morning at the Gallops

Jim P — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:27:10 GMT

Idyllic!! I wonder how many "rough mountain boys" Arthur Hancock III could have raised in the UK. From this year's Cup it's obvious their great milers go a little extra juice over there. I feel like I've got to hop a plane!!!

Love Piggot. He rode my mare's grandsire -- Nijinsky. She doesn't have the talent, but has a bit of class and the love of racing. At lease she's a wee bit centered, as long as you do things her way.

re: A Morning at the Gallops

Adele Maxon — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:48:35 GMT

A different world altogether...a more natural environment for the horse, not readily possible here in the U.S. Training centers such as Fair Hill and Aiken are probably the closest to the English way. Carry on!

re: A Morning at the Gallops

Abbie Knowles — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 05:05:29 GMT

This brings back good memories as i used to work for Susan Piggott and once drove Lester onto the gallops in my old and unreliable car which gave up the ghost shortly afterwards!

I loved working for Lester and Susan Piggott and also taking photos of the horses on the gallops, both before and after i worked for them!

I seldom went racing with my horses as one was unsound, one not very fast and the other tragically kept getting injured!

Had a good day at Yarmouth with Come Nuh but her jockey said his tractor went faster - she finished tailed off last but we had a nice day out!

Super Neon at Warwick brings back painful memories as i did my ankle in before the race and was very lame for ages afterwards! Super Neon ridden by Frankie Dettori ran below expectations but got a memorable quote from Frankie in that he ran as though he had flat tyres!

Happy memories!

God Bless

Best wishes

Abbie