Dec_76_TalkingTo_Owner Breeder 18/11/2010 12:34 Page 42
TALKING TO... >>
April. He had been talked up before the race and that definitely puts you under pressure; you don’t want to let people down, so when he stormed home that was really exciting, and a relief. The more involved you become the more you realise how many minute factors come into play and have to be right on the day for your horse to win. There are an awful lot of things that can go wrong. Should the Cheltenham Gold Cup move to a Saturday? Cheltenham is National Hunt’s equivalent of the Olympics. It is an absolute privilege to see the wonderful, athletic horses there. I am a traditionalist and think the Gold Cup should stay on the Friday. Four days is enough and even if they did not extend it to five days I still believe the Gold Cup is best left to the Friday.
FINGERS ON THE BUZZERS... Who would you most like to meet outside racing? The Queen, a remarkable woman Can you describe yourself in four words? Tenacious, active, fun-loving grandmother What excites you? Winning races How do you relax? Gardening, playing bridge and golf
How difficult is it to cope with serious injuries to your horses? It is very distressing, particularly when they show so much potential. You are very upset when anything untoward happens. We always take the best advice and give them as much time as they need and every opportunity to recover. But it is always very upsetting. Why do you prefer jump racing? In my mind there is no comparison. National Hunt is much more exciting and testing; its roots are in the countryside and, as I said, I enjoy all country sports. Flat racing doesn’t interest me in the same way at all. Who is your racing hero and why? JP McManus, who has invested so much in the industry. It doesn’t matter which racecourse he has runners at, be it Newton Abbot or the best meetings. It doesn’t matter how small or large the prize, his horses are there. When Menorah beat JP’s Get Me Out Of Here at Cheltenham he was one of the first to congratulate me and could not have been nicer. I have nothing but admiration for him. Do you have a view on how racing can arrest its financial decline? Not on the complicated issue of the levy and bookmakers. But there are observations I’d make. Many racecourses are in the country and do not have a large population to draw on, though the rural population do support their courses. Having said that, there are few better places for a family day out and the family must be encouraged; it is far cheaper than taking the family to a football match. We live in a celebrity culture and the idea of James
Nesbitt giving away prizes, as he did after Menorah’s Cheltenham Festival win, raises the profile of the sport. Perhaps more involvement of celebrities would make people more aware. Then there is AP McCoy. It’s a travesty he has not won Sports Personality of the Year after all he has achieved. If he does win this year he will raise racing’s profile, yet the fact he hasn’t won so far after 15 jockeys’ championships tells us we are a minority sport.
“The family must be
encouraged; racing is a cheaper day out than the football” If you could change things about racing, what would they be? Print the racecards in a bigger type in the papers, though I do realise there is pressure on space in the sports pages. Also, some of the racecourse cards could be made easier to read. I am for ever struggling to get my glasses out of my handbag! Do racecourses put enough effort into looking after owners? Cheltenham is fantastic, also Aintree, Haydock and Wetherby provide excellent hospitality. But there are some who don’t encourage owners, though I am reluctant to name them. Suffice to say, there is a course near where we live, and one west of London, which could improve.
Who would be your four ideal dinner party guests? Lady Thatcher, Nelson Mandela, Dame Margot Fonteyn and Jonny Wilkinson, a tenacious quartet
FAVOURITES Film Gladiator Holiday Snorkelling in a warm sea or skiing down a mountain TV programme Downton Abbey Drink Champagne or wine Music Any dance music from ballet to pop Diana and Grahame Whateley with Richard Johnson before Menorah’s latest win
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THOROUGHBRED OWNER & BREEDER INC PACEMAKER