Royal Ascot 2011- International Field adds Variety - British Jockeys in short supply
It’s refreshing to see many new comers competing for the Ascot this year and the fact that so many horses competing from all over the world, makes the 300th running of the Royal Ascot even more exciting.
The foreign legion looks competitive and ominous this time around. Instead of keeping traditions, where British home grown jockeys battle it out for the royal meeting and promote Great British talent via Royal Ascot, such as Sir Gordon Richards etc. This
time around the international cream of the crop will participate in this prestigious horse racing event along with a few British jockeys.
It seems as if globalization has left its mark on horse racing as well, starting from the Royal Ascot.
It is mixed news or feeling for the fans of British racing, they can’t decipher whether it is going to put a stop on producing good British jockeys or the vast international introduction is going to be healthy for the racing setup in Britain. The fear is
looming that this international invasion could establish and become a frequent event, thus effecting British racing.
All in all it is getting huge publicity and the Royal Ascot is drawing more attention towards it than ever before because it’s the first time in its 300 years history that so many horses and their connections are showing up.
Other than the scarce state of jockeys and alarmingly declining rate of home grown jockeys, foreign jockeys are present to replace them. That is the upside for the British racing scene to have a little bit of international flavour to the whole scenario and
attract more people to instil a new perspective for the game and the new found love for the sport might produce future British jockey, so it not all gloomy in London.
Shedding light on international entries, America, Australia, Japan, and, Hong Kong, are participating in the most famous of British racing events. The lime light will be on Star Witness who’s the real pick, trained by Danny O’Brien the horse is expected
to continue the winning legacy of Scenic Blast.
From Hong Kong the South African mare, Sweet Sanette, who earlier this year broke a class record and handled the tight Happy Valley racing track to win the Happy Valley’s Class One. She is expected to do well in England as well.
Grand Prix Boss, the Japanese colt looked the most impressive of the whole international lot. The Grade One winner proved his worth back at home by beating a massive field.
Ten years ago nobody wanted to watch the English Premier League and now it’s rated as the best league in the world and the same could happen to the British racing scene.
You cannot predict that there is going to be nothing coming out of England as far as jockeys are concerned but international jockeys coming and running in the biggest racing events in Britain shouldn’t stop home grown talent from emerging.
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