THOUGHTS ON THIS AND THAT.

​I have a profound dislike for politics, whether spelt with a capital letter or lower case. To my mind, and the self-interest and lack of respect for the will of the people at play in the House of Commons over the past months only confirms all of my antipathy, it is time for democracy to move forward, to be rid of political parties and to have a parliament consisting solely of independent representatives of the people. But that is politics, a subject I have a profound dislike of.
Yet Conor McGinn, a Labour M.P. and friend of horse racing, of which there are very few in Parliament at the moment, in his guest article for the Racing Post, made some salient and quite worrying points, and if no one in Westminster wishes to debate them, it is beholding on the racing media to start the debate and to find the solution to how racing can save itself from the misguided prejudices and ignorance of Mr.McGinn’s colleagues.
Obviously, racing must strap a pair on, take a deep breath, and get on with the most radical of moves to rein-in use of the whip. A more difficult problem to resolve is a way of funding the sport that does not involve hand-outs from the Levy, from dependence on bookmakers. Some form of ‘Tote’ monopoly, as in other countries, is, as it has been for decades or more, the elephant in the room. The nettle must be grasped. Bookmakers now have fingers in so many different sports that they would not necessarily regret the loss of its racing finger. I doubt though that the powers-that-be have the balls for such a radical innovation.
Reading Mr.McGinn’s article, though, brought an idea to mind that though naïve, perhaps, might have legs if an appropriate date in the parliamentary and racing calendar could be found. A day’s racing, at Sandown or Ascot, I would suggest, which might be titled ‘Politicians Day’ or ‘Parliament Day’. A day of racing in honour of parliament, politicians and government, perhaps to raise money for a charity associated with politics, an attempt to allay hostility to our sport and to lighten the ignorance, to place before them the recognition that our sport is very much a working-man’s sport, the elitism of the rich only a small aspect of the whole. As a sprat to catch a mackerel, perhaps a horse could be leased for the day to the politicians’ charity or shares in a racehorse given to politicians wishing to experience the sport from the inside over a long period.
Fanciful and whimsical, I know. But our handshake must be warm, sincere and welcoming. Members of Parliament may be our greatest enemy, especially if Labour come to power, and without a Winston Churchill in a position of influence to fight our corner we are vulnerable, seen as a kindred soul of foxhunting and bear-baiting. Remember, Labour propose an ambition of nil fatalities. As hopeless a quest, as noble and desirable as it is, as expecting politicians to bring happiness and joy to every citizen of our country.
And the idea of a day’s racing in honour of other institutions might be founded – the N.H.S., the Unions, Law and Justice, the Police – the list might not be endless but it will be long. The sport must reach out to all sectors of society and invite each and every one to come and experience what we have to offer, after all, where else can royalty, the rich and influential, mix hand in glove with the working class, where each is dependent on the other. Our sport is the beau ideal of any society. We are Utopia, of sorts.
 
There is a bit of a to-do going on over Godolphin’s demand that all its staff ride at 10st 7lbs, a weight that must be achieved by February 1st. The ‘to-do’ is a storm in a tea-cup. In fact, I was surprised that the minimum weight was not 10st or lighter. Godolphin is a slick, blue-chip set-up, professional do the enth degree. When important gallops are involved a trainer must have all the facts before to know how each horse has performed. On one occasion Dick Hern was disappointed by the performance of Brigadier Gerard in a gallop held in a rainstorm until Joe Mercer weighed the suede jacket he wore and found the horse carried a stone more than they thought.
In the bad old days when horses were stopped all season to ensure good odds come the Cambridgeshire, for instance, lads were weighed and on occasion locked in at night so they could not let slip which horse was being primed for what race.
When you discover the benefits available to Godolphin staff – discounted gym membership at a country club, a gym for any member of staff to use on sight, as well as a canteen and residential nurse – weighing less than 10st 7lbs seems a small chore to me.
 
If Frodon proves on Saturday that 3-miles is within his capability, the Cheltenham Gold Cup this season will have an even greater dollop of frisson. All being well Bryony Frost will be the first female jockey to have a realistic chance of winning the Gold Cup. You would have thought there would be stronger stayers in the race than Frodon, though who would have thought beforehand that the likes of Desert Orchid, Kauto Star and Sizing John would be improved for the longer distance. I hope the Cotswold Chase goes well for Bryony and Frodon gives her something golden to dream about for the next two months.