Why do the Irish Fancy Horses?

The Skibereen Eagle · 14-03-2011 1:30pm #1

We're now approaching the annual exodus of thousands of our countrymen to the Cheltenham Festival for a week of betting, drinking, sex with prostitutes and watching horses run by them at speed.

Despite all the fun the many vices at race week provide, most of those activities can also be found elsewhere.

To me, horse racing seems to involve ruddy faced, barbour jacketed, moneyed types who breed and train the beasts. They also give instruction to tiny little 6 stone Irishmen with no discernible personality whatsoever.

At the other end of the spectrum are the nicotine fingered betting shop dwellers, perpetually chasing their losses and popping their head out occasionally to give us passers by a glimpse of the wonderland within.

Can anyone explain the reasons behind the undoubted equine fetish in Ireland?

Does it even constitute a 'real' sport?

Colmo52 · 14-03-2011 1:31pm

F*ck your honda civic, i've a horse outside.

Nodin · 14-03-2011 1:33pm

The Skibereen Eagle wrote: »

.

Can anyone explain the reasons behind the undoubted equine fetish in Ireland?

Simple. Ye can't ride a sheep, cow, pig or a goat as ye might eat it after.

Biggins · 14-03-2011 1:33pm

The Skibereen Eagle wrote: »

Can anyone explain the reasons behind the undoubted equine fetish in Ireland?

Its not just Ireland you know!

Look at English Prince Charles - he married a mare!

5starpool · 14-03-2011 1:34pm

I despise horse racing.

mike65 · 14-03-2011 1:36pm

Horses are a thing of beauty for those who work with them and a passport to riches for the rest of us*

*not me obviously

The Skibereen Eagle · 14-03-2011 1:41pm

Colmo52 wrote: »

F*ck your honda civic, i've a horse outside.

C-

Colmo52 must try harder, he has the intelligence but at times does not apply himself and takes the easy option.

He also copies other students work.

old hippy · 14-03-2011 1:43pm

Horses terrify me but as food not so bad, if a bit on the bland side

summerskin · 14-03-2011 1:45pm

horses are great with pepper sauce

or with €20 on a 16-1 winner.

got to love them horses.

14-03-2011 1:46pm

I'm not going to Cheltenham nor will I be taking days off to see it but I was in Cheltenham last November for the Open meeting and was in Aintree for the October meeting for the 3 years before. It's a nice relaxed couple of days away, nice meals out, have a laugh and a bet. It's like anything else. Reading and studying the form is great too, but most betting office dwellers don't go beyond what's in the printed copy of the racing post so really they wouldn't be studiers of form really.

Horse racing I love

mstan · 14-03-2011 1:49pm

The Skibereen Eagle wrote: »

We're now approaching the annual exodus of thousands of our countrymen to the Cheltenham Festival for a week of betting, drinking, sex with prostitutes and watching horses run by them at speed.

Despite all the fun the many vices at race week provide, most of those activities can also be found elsewhere.

To me, horse racing seems to involve ruddy faced, barbour jacketed, moneyed types who breed and train the beasts. They also give instruction to tiny little 6 stone Irishmen with no discernible personality whatsoever.

At the other end of the spectrum are the nicotine fingered betting shop dwellers, perpetually chasing their losses and popping their head out occasionally to give us passers by a glimpse of the wonderland within.

Can anyone explain the reasons behind the undoubted equine fetish in Ireland?

Does it even constitute a 'real' sport?

SHUT UP