PartialLogo
News

Edward O'Grady accuses festival of becoming a 'commercial jamboree'

Edward O'Grady: 'The few horses that are there are running well but I'm afraid we'll be very quiet for the winter.'
Edward O'Grady: 'I'd like to think we had the best of it as a three-day festival'Credit: Alain Barr (racingpost.com/photos)

Legendary trainer Edward O'Grady believes racing has become "antiseptic" and the Cheltenham Festival a "commercial jamboree" as he reflected on the sweeping changes he has witnessed during 50 years in the sport.

Speaking to the Racing Post as part of a major interview in Sunday's newspaper to mark the 50th anniversary of his first winner next week, O'Grady was in forthright mood as he discussed Jim Bolger's doping allegations, the dominance of the big yards in Ireland and his own future.

The 72-year-old still hopes to be back among the winners at the Cheltenham Festival but feels the March extravaganza has changed beyond recognition since its days as a three-day affair, when he achieved the first 17 of his 18 festival winners.

"You look at Willie Mullins or Gordon Elliott; either could have more runners at a single festival than I have had there in my life," he said. "I remember Willie saying one year that he wouldn't be as strong, that he'd only have about 50 or so going over – my God!

"The whole thing has changed with the extra day and the extra races. It's not the same, and I'd like to think we had the best of it as a three-day festival. I think it has become a commercial jamboree."

Edward O'Grady has a nice horse on his hands in the shape of You Can Call Me Al
Edward O'Grady: believes racing is 'extraordinarily different' to the pastCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

O'Grady has similar feelings when he reflects on the sport as a whole.

"Racing took place on the racecourse, and consequently it was the place to be," he explained. "It was the place where you met people, where the bookmakers and punters met.

"Today, everything is online. It has become so antiseptic, so extraordinarily different. It was a sport and I trained to make a living out of it, but nowadays it has become so commercial.

"You have guys pinhooking foals, buying yearlings to breeze or sell as three-year-olds, buying point-to-pointers to sell on, and then you have the unseen masses of punters, a huge population, that sit there, completely out of sight. There are positives and negatives everywhere but it is extraordinarily different, that's for sure."

Read more from Edward O'Grady in the Big Read, available online for Members' Club Ultimate subscribers from 6pm on Saturday or in Sunday's Racing Post newspaper. Click here to sign up.


Read more:

'Kim would have loved it' – Colin Tizzard to give grandson debut ride on Sunday

Robbie Dunne adds Robin Mathew to legal team for appeal against 18-month ban

Trainer Brian McMahon has fine over running-and-riding breach halved on appeal


Over 50% off Racing Post Members' Club!Members' Club is the only subscription racing fans and punters need in order to stay informed and make smarter betting decisions. Features include early access to the Racing Post digital newspaper, exclusive news and interviews, premium tips and form study tools to assist with betting. Select 'Get Ultimate Monthly' and enter code TRYME to get your first month for just £14.99* – that's better than half price!

Subscribe now

If you decide that Members' Club is not for you, then you can cancel at anytime by contacting us.

*Members' Club Ultimate Monthly first month will be charged at £14.99, renews at full price thereafter


Richard ForristalIreland editor

Published on 21 January 2022inNews

Last updated 15:03, 21 January 2022

iconCopy