Emma Jane RULES!!!

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

I also think there are people who see how much someone wants the horse and figure those folks'll pay more than a sane person would. Anyone remember the story of Nopie from a few months ago (surely it hasn't been a year)? Some people think of it as a little equine hostage and want to charge a little ransom money. Not everyone, but they can't all be deluded thinking the horse they have can be the next Lava Man can they?

Emma-Jayne did a wonderful thing. I don't suppose she could be on a very special episode of "Jockeys" could she? Do we have a season 3 filming yet?

or maybe the trainers say no to an offer because one less horse means they get less money per day and may not have a horse coming soon to make up the loss.

[DerbyCat]

Obviously, I loved this story - Good for Emma Jane and YEA! for Gus

I wish horse racing could be more like NASCAR, and by that I mean I wish that the average fan had more access to all the people and horses involved in this sport - I know it can't be, but how great would it it be if the average fan in the stands could be brought back to the barns after the races to feed carrots to the horses, pet them, and get to see their personalities? What if owners and trainers took the time to explain the sport to the fans and introduce them to the horses that people have seen run? I know I was beyond thrilled when I met Zenyatta this summer and watched her get her morning bath, but what average fan would ever have the chance to get that close to our stars? This connection to the "behind the scenes" is what drew me so deeply into this sport and helped give me reason to save Nopie (who, by the way, is doing fabulous! It's been seven months and he has healed amazingly well... I'll do an update soon). If I hadn't met the girlfriend of a trainer who took me to the backside to see the barn and horses, I'm not sure I would have even become an owner and I certainly wouldn't have spent thousands of dollars to save a low level claimer.

I love this sport but its marketing sucks. More stories like this need to get out and people need to realize that horse racing is about more than the image of the degenerate gambler and rich horse owners... it is so much more than that.

[CSC]

Nice story.

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by DerbyCat

Obviously, I loved this story - Good for Emma Jane and YEA! for Gus

I wish horse racing could be more like NASCAR, and by that I mean I wish that the average fan had more access to all the people and horses involved in this sport - I know it can't be, but how great would it it be if the average fan in the stands could be brought back to the barns after the races to feed carrots to the horses, pet them, and get to see their personalities? What if owners and trainers took the time to explain the sport to the fans and introduce them to the horses that people have seen run? I know I was beyond thrilled when I met Zenyatta this summer and watched her get her morning bath, but what average fan would ever have the chance to get that close to our stars? This connection to the "behind the scenes" is what drew me so deeply into this sport and helped give me reason to save Nopie (who, by the way, is doing fabulous! It's been seven months and he has healed amazingly well... I'll do an update soon). If I hadn't met the girlfriend of a trainer who took me to the backside to see the barn and horses, I'm not sure I would have even become an owner and I certainly wouldn't have spent thousands of dollars to save a low level claimer.

I love this sport but its marketing sucks. More stories like this need to get out and people need to realize that horse racing is about more than the image of the degenerate gambler and rich horse owners... it is so much more than that.

I would gladly open up my barn to organized tours etc during race day. I think it would be a great idea. Only problem is I bet Arlington's legal department wouldn't.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by GBBob

I would gladly open up my barn to organized tours etc during race day. I think it would be a great idea. Only problem is I bet Arlington's legal department wouldn't.

Tom the Tour Guide

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by Danzig

or maybe the trainers say no to an offer because one less horse means they get less money per day and may not have a horse coming soon to make up the loss.

Well with all due respect, if you put a horse's life on the line that is lucky to end a race without being vanned off so you can keep being a trainer, here's a clue, maybe time to do something else. Calling yourself a horseman or saying you have sportsmanship is, at that moment, incredibly foolish. I see no dignity for the animal there. Someone needs to explain to me what I'm missing. Not being hugely successful isn't the same thing as intentionally keeping a horse on borrowed time in training for the almighty dollar. I'm not knocking the hard working little guy here. I'm knocking the guy who's sold his humanity and puts an animal through a real hell just for the day rate.

Steve's mentioned some assistants that are just better or happier at that than being on their own. Not everyone has to be the boss. You can do what you love without being the top dog.