Sir Alex Ferguson's Right-Hand Man Expresses Heartbreak over Tragic Loss
Sir Alex Ferguson's close friend and right-hand man is devastated by the untimely death of racing sensation Hermes Allen. The horse suffered a fatal injury while competing at Sandown on Saturday, leaving the racing community in shock.
A Promising Future Cut Short
Hermes Allen, co-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, Ged Mason, and two others, was the favorite to win the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown. Trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Harry Cobden, the seven-year-old gelding faced a tragic accident when falling two fences from home, despite being 13 lengths behind.
Tributes Pour In
Ged Mason, a wealthy businessman and co-owner of Hermes Allen, took to X to express his gratitude and sorrow. He thanked the team at Ditcheat for their care and love for the horse, acknowledging that the loss left him and the other owners devastated.
Harry Cobden, the jockey who rode Hermes Allen, also paid tribute to the horse, calling him a true superstar in the racing world. Cobden expressed his sympathy for the owners, connections, and everyone at Ditcheat, paying his respects to the late Hermes Allen.
A Devastating Loss for Paul Nicholls
Although Sir Alex Ferguson was not present at the race, Paul Nicholls, the horse's trainer, was left heartbroken by the death of one of his top horses. Hermes Allen had amassed over £130,000 in career prize money and had an impressive record of four wins out of eight races.
A Horse with a Bright Future
Hermes Allen's potential was evident when he won the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle in 2022, giving Sir Alex Ferguson a significant victory. The horse's success continued as a chaser, winning a Grade 2 race at Newbury and finishing second to French superstar Il Est Francais at Kempton over Christmas.
Grief and Support from Racing Fans
News of Hermes Allen's death left racing fans heartbroken. Many expressed their sadness and condolences on X, with one fan describing the loss as "absolutely devastating." Another fan had hoped for a different outcome, saying they were "so very sad" that Hermes Allen could not continue his racing career.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UK horse racing ‘Classics?
Classics refers to the five most prestigious races in UK thoroughbred racing. These are usually considered the best contests of three-year-old horses. The 2,000 Guineas are the Epsom Derby, The Epsom Oaks and The St. Leger Stakes. It is an impressive achievement to win one of these Classics. To win all three races for a particular gender (either The Triple Crown for colts or The Triple Crown For fillies) is also a historic feat.
Do different horse races take place in the UK?
Yes, there are different kinds of horse races held in the UK. The most common ones fall into two categories: Flat racing and National Hunt or Jump racing. Flat racing is held over flat tracks that range from 5 furlongs up to 2 miles. National Hunt racing emphasizes horse speed and jumping abilities, with races such as steeplechases containing a series obstacles. These two broad categories have variations like handicaps, conditions, and maidens. Each race has a specific entry requirement and rule.
What is the significance behind the jockey’s sashes?
The jockeys’ silks are colorful, patterned clothing worn by the jockeys during races. Each set is unique to its owner and allows both spectators as well as officials to easily identify each horse during the race. The design of the silks often holds sentimental value or tradition for the owners and can include a variety of colors, patterns, and emblems.
How can I learn the racecards?
The racecard provides important information about the race, the horses and their trainers. A racecard typically lists details such as the horse’s name, age, weight carried, trainer, jockey, form figures representing past performance, and sometimes the colors of the silks worn by the jockey. By learning how to interpret these data, you can better gauge each horse’s chances. Many betting services and racecourses offer guides for reading racecards to their customers.
What are some of the most prestigious events for horse racing in the UK.
The United Kingdom hosts a number of acclaimed horse races that draw audiences from around the world. The most prestigious of these include Royal Ascot and the Grand National in Aintree. These events, which showcase the best of equine ability and provide rich tradition as well as history, have also become social occasions. There are even dress codes for these events and they receive royal patronage.
How does the handicap system work in UK horse racing?
In UK race horse racing, handicapping is used to give all horses an equal chance of success. Essentially, horses are assigned different weights to carry during the race based on their past performances. The heavier the weight, the better for horses that have a good past performance. The British Horseracing Authority is responsible for the handicapping process in the UK, and their team of handicappers regularly updates ratings following the results of races.
Statistics
- Around 14,000 thoroughbred foals are born each year in the UK with the goal of becoming top racehorses.
- The prize money for the Epsom Derby stands at approximately £1.5 million, with the winner taking home a substantial portion of this sum.
- There are over 8,000 active racehorse owners in the UK, ranging from royals to common citizens.
- In the UK, more than 14,000 people are employed directly in the horse racing industry.
- Horse racing contributes an estimated £3.7 billion to the UK economy directly and indirectly each year.
- Approximately 6 million people attend horse racing events in the UK each year, making it the second most popular spectator sport in the country.
External Links
thejockeyclub.co.uk
racingtv.com
timeform.com
betfair.com
britishhorseracingmuseum.org.uk
ascot.com
How To
How to Choose a Winning Horse in UK Racing
To choose a successful horse, one must analyze its form. Form includes the past performance, the race length, the surface and the track record of the jockey or trainer. Review the horses’ most recent races and focus on those who consistently finish in the top 3. Check if the horse is suitable for the race distance, and if it has done well in similar conditions. Check the win and place statistics for both the jockey and trainer to assess their track record. Although there isn’t a foolproof method for selecting a winner you can increase your chances by doing thorough research.
