The most exciting horse race I ever saw (or, so far) was a Ladies’ Open race in a point to point meeting at Hornby Castle in 2007.
On paper the race did not look like it would contain the excitement that it ended up producing. The firm going had put off many runners and there were only four horses in the race. On top of that there was a very short-priced favourite in the form of Interdit (2/7f) who was expected to win easily and complete a fourth win of the season.
The race consisted of two circuits of the point to point course and the four runners set off at a steady pace given the firm ground and small field.
A little more than half way round the first circuit it all kicked off. A horse called Bille John veered to the right approaching a fence and in doing so carried the favourite Interdit past the fence along with him.
The two other horses – Gabla and Darak – carried on over the fence and away. Interdit’s jockey Pauline Robson turned her horse round and got him over the fence he had missed.
So at the start of the second circuit the situation was as follows: Gabla and Darak were having their own race at the head of affairs, whilst hunting them down at a rate of knots was Interdit, some 35-40 lengths behind.
The jockeys aboard Gabla and Darak were involved in a tactical head-to-head battle, not wanting to go too fast too soon and ruin their chance of victory. But at the same time they had to be mindful of Interdit behind them, who was making inroads into their lead. It was two races for the price of one.
To add to my personal excitement I was holding a betting ticket for a small amount on Gabla at 10/1, who had suddenly found himself in the lead.
Making matters worse was the fact that part of the circuit dips behind a hill and is out of sight of the spectators. All three horses disappeared into the dip, the front two leading by a good 25 lengths, with Interdit still chasing.
The mind can play funny tricks on a gambler. I was convinced that when they emerged back into view Interdit would be hot on the heels of the leaders now. It was agony waiting for them to come back into view, only able to imagine what was happening.
As they approached the final fence, however, it was clear that Interdit was not going to catch the leaders, despite having eaten into their lead.
So it was going to be straight fight between Gabla and Darak. Both horses cleared the last well and in the final sprint to the line Gabla prevailed and won by a couple of lengths.
The BHA should consider handicap races not based on weight but rather a certain number of furlongs’ head start and perhaps having runners go into a tunnel for a section of the race so they are out of sight. In my experience both features would certainly add to the excitement for race goers.
