HORSES that ran in the Racing League have been smashing up big handicaps at top tracks – highlighting the clickbait hypocrisy of so many on social media.
During the latest Racing League extravaganza, I responded on a daily basis to on-line moaners slating the quality of animal in action.
The Racing League has those who dislike it – but plenty do!PA
I have no issue at all with people disliking the Racing League, for which, of course.
I was Captain of London & the South (the winners, but irrelevant).
It’s not for everyone and a very easy target. But to suggest the horses were useless is unfair and factually wrong. Such is life.
A typical example was @markrice070 on X, who typed: “Racing is an absolute joke, wont bet on this garbage only 3 or 4 are actually trying in these races.”
Quite extraordinary. Every horse trying for its life in Racing League in ridiculously competitive races.
@signorsharma added: “You guys scream and shout about the poor quality of UK racing, then fill our screens with the worst of it. The Racing League is UNDER the bottom of the barrell.”
Again just nonsense.
Just look at the results since the Racing League ended.
Racing League stalwarts Siempre Arturo and Great Bedwyn were first and second at Kempton on Saturday, while Great Acclaim, a winner in the League at Cheptow, was second to Native Warrior in the valuable Schweppes Handicap at Ascot, and Brosay, a League winner at Windsor, also scored on the same card.
Hickory ran in the League and won at Ascot on Friday, and Caprelo also raced in the League at Yarmouth and scored at Kempton over the weekend.
What is odd is that I could not find a negative tweet about any of these horses while they have been running over the last few days, but during the Racing League they were considered “bottom of the barrell”, or barrel as it should be spelled.
Dislike the Racing League if you want. But to slag the horses is just an insult to the equine beasts who ran in the competition and shows a total lack of knowledge in the world of horse racing.
Racing League races will continue to throw up decent results, because quite simply it was some of the most competitive racing you will see all season.
Meanwhile, the funeral for Bill Turner took place on Friday and I just wanted to share a few photos with you that were taken on the day.
It was an honour to be at Bill Turner’s funeral
He was a true one-off who will be sadly missed
Bill was just a terrific man, and he’ll be missed when the Brocklesby in run in 2026, a race he won six times. Whoever sponsors it I hope it will be run in Turner’s honour.
As I highlighted in my Saturday paper column, many Arc contenders ran over the weekend and we learnt much.
Whirl ran a shocker, as did her stable companion Los Angeles, who was third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last year.
It’s hard to fancy either of them.
Sosie was fourth in 2024, but I’m not sure he’s a strong stayer at a mile and a half, and he was outrun by Japanese hope Byzantine Dream.
Of course Kalpana was defeated at Kempton, but she’s not the worst eachway value at about 16-1.
However, my advice is back last year’s runner-up Aventure at 9-2.
Aventure hacked up in the Vermeille and I would have her at about 7-4 to take the Longchamp prize this time around. I see nothing to frighten her at all.
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