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Hanging with Hector

  • 12-12-2008 11:52am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 375 ✭✭


    Hector hangs out with Ballydoyle maestro
    Wednesday, 10 December 2008 11:00
    Hector Ó'hEochagáin is back for a Christmas special of Hanging with Hector, with a behind-the-scenes look at the life of horse trainer Aidan O'Brien on RTÉ One, Monday 22 December at 9.35pm.

    Aidan's internationally acclaimed training centre, Ballydoyle Stables, has had a remarkable 2008 season with 23 'Group 1' victories notched up and during the summer, Hector spent time at the stables with Aidan where he was given unprecedented access to his world. He was there to witness first hand the preparations for one of the most coveted horse-racing titles, the Breeders' Cup Classic in the US.

    He joined Aidan on his daily rounds at Ballydoyle: on the gallops, in the stables and for the all-important bowl of porridge in the morning, giving him a unique insight into how Aidan and his team at Ballydoyle work. Even stable jockey Johnny Murtagh showed up to keep an eye on Hector.

    Golf has the Ryder Cup; horse racing has the Breeders' Cup. This is where the biggest and best from both sides of the Atlantic perform at the end of each season.

    With over $25 million prize money up for grabs over two days of championship racing, the stakes are high. Hector joins Aidan and crew as they pack up goods and chattles and head to Santa Anita Park in California to take part.

    He's given exclusive access to the transatlantic flight with Ireland's top racehorses and follows the behind-the-scenes build up to the greatest two days racing in the world.

    This is an insider's guide to the world of international horse racing with one of the sport's most successful modern day trainers. Through Hector's eyes both punters and the general public will get to see what it means to compete at the highest international level in the Sport of Kings. All he needs now is a winner


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,783 ✭✭✭Pj!


    Thanks!!

    Looking forward to that!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 64 ✭✭Frazzled


    Forky wrote: »
    Thanks!!

    Looking forward to that!

    Hector is immensely irritating and knows nothing about the sport - This should be done by someone like Gary O'Brien but he might not pull in the non racing masses.

    I will probably watch it though as it is a chance to get some insight (lol) into Coolmore and Ballydoyle.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,783 ✭✭✭Pj!


    Frazzled wrote: »
    Hector is immensely irritating and knows nothing about the sport
    So? It's a programme that offers a little insight into a famous person's day to day life aimed at the general public.

    Think you've missed something here.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 64 ✭✭Frazzled


    Forky wrote: »
    So? It's a programme that offers a little insight into a famous person's day to day life aimed at the general public.

    Think you've missed something here.

    What have I missed?

    I am well aware of what the programme is about. I just wish it was presented by a clueless presenter.

    My original term was inappropriate as he is not a bad lad- He simply knows very little about racing.

    He may well appeal more to the RTE viewers and get much bigger ratings than a racing professional, so I guess that is what they want. Coolmore will tell you nothing anyway, so as an information gathering exercise it would not do much irrespective of who presented it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 124 ✭✭gazman59


    cheers really lookin forward to this!!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 484 ✭✭Shan75


    Frazzled wrote: »
    What have I missed?

    I am well aware of what the programme is about. I just wish it was presented by a clueless presenter.

    My original term was inappropriate as he is not a bad lad- He simply knows very little about racing.

    He may well appeal more to the RTE viewers and get much bigger ratings than a racing professional, so I guess that is what they want. Coolmore will tell you nothing anyway, so as an information gathering exercise it would not do much irrespective of who presented it.

    Agreed.It would be better with somebody who knows about racing.Agreed also on Coolmore.Aidan wouldn't even tell you the time.I hate hearing him being interviewed as he just trots out the usual old lines.Good trainer though.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 37 Hino


    Hector while being a bit mad at times does love his horse racing. In fact he owns a horse and is spokesman for Horse Racing Ireland Commercially.

    Be great to see inside Ballydoyle.

    However Aiden does not answer any questions when he is asked by mainstream media...i suppose John magnier has never given a interview in his life so i suspect that he does not allow Aiden answer specific questions on future horses etc.....I remeber Seamie Hefferan said he may be in trouble for mentioning Mailbu Bay as a horse with potential


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,783 ✭✭✭Pj!


    We all know that Aidan won't give out any information.

    A programme with a racing professional as presenter getting a full insight into each horse and their expectations would be nice. Like ice-cream!

    'Hanging with Hector' is however a programme where Hector meets famous people and gives us an insight into their lives. I for one didnt think I'd see Aidan O'Brien on this.
    But he is, and i'm looking forward to it. Consider it apple tart.

    If someone gives you apple tart, don't complain that its not ice cream!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 487 ✭✭Alibear


    Really looking forward to it!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 325 ✭✭BangBeater


    Sometimes, horse racing is taken too seriously... this kind of show isn't (obviously) going to be technical as such with respect to AOB and his set up, etc. I mean, the name of the show is 'Hanging with Hector'... literally, hanging out having a chat!

    Looking forward to it!:D


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,783 ✭✭✭Pj!


    Cracking programme.
    A great man is Aidan!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,191 ✭✭✭NewApproach


    Yeah it was enjoyable alright. It's amazing how the place runs like clockwork considering the number of horses he has, he is a true genius.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,743 ✭✭✭Rockee


    Aidan wasnt as involved as maybe previous guests on 'Hangin' With Hector.' But thats fine, he seemed to be one busy busy man!

    I dont know if it was the nice California backdrop but it made me have a previously untapped interest in horsies that I never get from looking at the 2:30 from Fairyhouse!

    Well Done! Good Show!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,506 ✭✭✭muletide


    That show was good but could have been excellent if they just removed that ginger gobsh1te.

    Conatantly in peoples faces and a terrible way of interviewing.

    Should of stuck with a narrator/voice over format. All very interesting though


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,743 ✭✭✭Rockee


    muletide wrote: »
    That show was good but could have been excellent if they just removed that ginger gobsh1te.

    Conatantly in peoples faces and a terrible way of interviewing.

    Should of stuck with a narrator/voice over format. All very interesting though

    Oi, dont diss the ginger. ;)

    Thats just how he presents and he has proved popular. If RTE wanted to send say Ryan Tubridy or Marty Whelan over to California, they wouldve.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 601 ✭✭✭lester76


    That was hugely enjoyable i could watch aidin all day he really is one the best horse trainers this country has ever seen. Yes you could say he has the horse's but the man has something very very natural about him,its almost calming to the horse having him along side them. when the 2yr old filly spooked it was aidin who took over from pat. it was great to get a glimpse of what happens on the ballydoyle gallops, what a super operation and hectors not at all bad he just a mad ginger :D:D:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,391 ✭✭✭happyoutscan


    Agreed, Hector is a prat.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 484 ✭✭Shan75


    Rockee wrote: »
    Oi, dont diss the ginger. ;)

    Thats just how he presents and he has proved popular. If RTE wanted to send say Ryan Tubridy or Marty Whelan over to California, they wouldve.

    Oh can you imagine either of those cardboard cut-outs doing it.I'd take Hector over them anyday even if he's annoying.

    Anyway missed the show due to having to work.Anybody know if it will be repeated or will I have to wait for RTE to release it on DVD in an effort to rob me of more hard earned money?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,832 ✭✭✭careca


    I enjoyed it.

    Hector is a jonah though. I stood beside him at cheltenham when Johnny Murtagh was only just beaten in the World Hurdle (Golden Cross??) and he had backed it and then Heart Shaped gets done also in Santa Anita. Jonah.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,361 ✭✭✭Itsdacraic


    Shan75 wrote: »
    Oh can you imagine either of those cardboard cut-outs doing it.I'd take Hector over them anyday even if he's annoying.

    Anyway missed the show due to having to work.Anybody know if it will be repeated or will I have to wait for RTE to release it on DVD in an effort to rob me of more hard earned money?

    Hector annoys the ****e out of me, but in fairness to him he does have a great interest in racing, and would really be the only person RTE could have sent to do it. It would have been pointless sending one of the horsey set as they've seen it all before whereas you could see Hector was genuinely awestruck and delighted to be there.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,581 ✭✭✭dodgyme


    hector has become the voice of horseracing the way kathryn thomas was the voice of travel after a few seasons of no frontiers. Every travel insurance ad etc had her voice and every horse festival of drinks co associated with horseracing had hector there. Now it is their fine right to make money of such things but I find it tiresome. I dont need Kathryn thomas to sell me insurance before every trip or hear hector telling me to go racing if ya know what I mean. rant over


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 154 ✭✭Miss Tequila


    its good show!!

    i enjoyed it!

    i want to be work rider with the trainer yard!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 484 ✭✭Shan75


    dodgyme wrote: »
    hector has become the voice of horseracing the way kathryn thomas was the voice of travel after a few seasons of no frontiers. Every travel insurance ad etc had her voice and every horse festival of drinks co associated with horseracing had hector there. Now it is their fine right to make money of such things but I find it tiresome. I dont need Kathryn thomas to sell me insurance before every trip or hear hector telling me to go racing if ya know what I mean. rant over

    Kind of agree with you here although I'd prefer to have to look at Kathryn than Hector;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,079 ✭✭✭Shelflife


    it was a good program, but if hector could just ease back on the gombeen crap it would be great, his quips with the man in the van about eatn swiss roll with the tae while watchn the racing was cringeworthy.

    his enthusiam for the game is good and if he just reined it it a bit it would have been a cracker.

    i had the good fortune to visit ballydoyle and its some operation, so professional and slick, we met aidan and the hospitality that was shown to us was way beyond what was required. hes a total genius and a gentleman to boot.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,506 ✭✭✭muletide


    Shelflife wrote: »
    it was a good program, but if hector could just ease back on the gombeen crap it would be great, his quips with the man in the van about eatn swiss roll with the tae while watchn the racing was cringeworthy.

    QUOTE]



    Yea, that scene was very hard to watch - but not as bad as the scene where O Brien was getting into the saddle for a lap of the Track and Hector went to help him up. The look O Brien gave him was hilarious - If any man knows how to get onto a horse........


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 45 TheScript


    Rockee wrote: »
    Oi, dont diss the ginger. ;)

    Agreed!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,816 ✭✭✭corny


    AOP has such a disarming personality. Probably the main reason he gets the most out of the people around him. I loved the bit where he's in the jeep and several work riders go by. He says to all in his uniquely timid but dead serious manner "hi sinead nice and easy now" "hi seamie nice and easy now"...etc. :pac: Great man who does a great job.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,552 ✭✭✭chinguetti


    AOB and all in Ballydoyle came out of it very well i thought. It was far more interesting to see what they do in Ballydoyle than in America. Was in Coolmore a couple of years ago for the opening day and were treated really well. The amount of free stuff they gave to kids (and adults like me) of baseball caps, jackets etc of George Washington was great PR.

    Saw Hector in the Curragh a few years ago and he was amazingly rude to kids looking for his autograph. The look he got from AOB when he said they could do a year in Ballydoyle was worth the whole show on its own.


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