World's most famous race

[Bigsmc]

Can't wait for The Chair.

Had Innox who went down at the first last year. Shortest bet I ever made.

Too bad it won't be on TVG this year, I'll have to watch on the computer.

[wigmore]

from the Grand National website the estimated TV audience worldwide for this years race is 600 million

http://www.grandnational.org.uk/

2004 Kentucky Derby was watched by 14.6 million viewers in the US. Do you think that there are 583.4 million viewers of the Kentucky Derby outside the US?

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/New...ws3monday.html

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by wigmore

from the Grand National website the estimated TV audience worldwide for this years race is 600 million

http://www.grandnational.org.uk/

2004 Kentucky Derby was watched by 14.6 million viewers in the US. Do you think that there are 583.4 million viewers of the Kentucky Derby outside the US?

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/New...ws3monday.html

I have no clue. Where are the six hundred million people that watch this race? What countries? That number is to me impossible to believe. if its true fine, I don't really care.

I've watched this type of racing and don't find it very interesting. In fact, to be quite honest it seems cruel.

anyway, good luck with whomever you are backing.

[wigmore]

I know its hard to beleive that the World doesnt being and end at the borders of the USA but that is actually the truth

[Scurlogue Champ]

This information is pretty accurate. The Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National are extremely famous and popular.

When I went to Australia, I didn't meet one person who knew too much about the Kentucky Derby or that it was even ran at Churchill Downs.

[wigmore]

I think ArlJim is understimating the reach of the once mighty British Empire!!!

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by wigmore

I think ArlJim is understimating the reach of the once mighty British Empire!!!

The US was once part of this empire, no?


Other than Australia and Europe, what countries are making up the 600Million number?

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by wigmore

I know its hard to beleive that the World doesnt being and end at the borders of the USA but that is actually the truth

you're barking up the wrong tree buddy.

that is not my position whatsoever. i didn't doubt the number because of some belief that anything big or important has to be from the US perspective.
I doubted it just because I am sceptical by nature and the number seems too high. its not like I would be upset to find out that another race was more popular than the Kentucky Derby outside of the US. No big deal.

actually I follow international flat racing everywhere, in every country.

I have learned something new about the popularity of the Grand National. thank you.

[wigmore]

Originally Posted by Cardus

14.6 million people did not watch the Kentucky Derby in 2004. The number is much, much higher, or racing would not exist in the United States as it exists currently.

That total does not take into effect the number of people crammed into OTBs and those who attend tracks on that day. Also, how can you quantify the number of people who watch the Derby with groups of fellow handicappers or sports fans? This is the shortcoming of rating the popularity of any sports event now: Nielsen and any other TV ratings group cannot count the number of people in sports bars, or, as I just mentioned, people watching an event en masse.

and the TV audience quoted for the Grand National also doesnt take into account those in Betting Shops ( many many more than the number of OTB's in the US) or on race tracks in Brittain not to mention the rest of the world.

The shortcoming in the ratings calculations you mention is also applicable to ratings generated for the Grand National also.

[my miss storm cat]

Forgive me for being lazy..... I've not kept up on the news the past few days.

These are the horses i appreciate from afar..... too painful to watch yet i root for them and follow some.

Numbersix..... hope he can do it again. He was my pick last year.

I always end up rooting for Monk too..... is he likely?

I know, I know..... it's been a while since he's had a win, but still... I just like him.

My other question, and sorry for being lazy but i figure you guys will know... does Ruby have the Hedgehunter mount? Thanks.

For the love of God come home safe, ALL of you.

[my miss storm cat]

Declared runners.....

Hedgehunter, Eurotrek, L'Ami, Monkerhostin, Thisthatandtother, Billyvoddan, Numbersixvalverde, Idle Talk, Royal Auclair, Cloudy Bays, Knowhere, Kelami, Point Barrow, Celtic Son, Simon, Ballycassidy, Clan Royal, Gallant Approach, Livingstonebramble, Dun Doire, Kandjar D'Allier, Slim Pickings, Zabenz, Bewleys Berry, Longshanks, Bothar Na, Graphic Approach, Homer Wells, Liberthine, Silver Birch, Philson Run, Puntal, The Outlier, Tikram, McKelvey, Naunton Brook, Jack High, Sonevafushi, Joes Edge, Le Duc.

Come home safe.

[brockguy]

Im off tomorrow to Aintree so will give my quick opinion. Ill take these 4 - Hedgehunter - laid out for the race. has bags of class.
Point Barrow - the right type. An Irish National winner
Zabenz - will love the ground and jumps well. trip might stretch him but could have some fun and
Jack High - feather weight, he can run well!

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Forgive me for being lazy..... I've not kept up on the news the past few days.

These are the horses i appreciate from afar..... too painful to watch yet i root for them and follow some.

Numbersix..... hope he can do it again. He was my pick last year.

I always end up rooting for Monk too..... is he likely?

I know, I know..... it's been a while since he's had a win, but still... I just like him.

My other question, and sorry for being lazy but i figure you guys will know... does Ruby have the Hedgehunter mount? Thanks.

For the love of God come home safe, ALL of you.

Yes he does.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

Yes he does.

Thanks.

i guess he was involved in an accident today..... hope the poor horse is okay. There was no mention.....

Here's free video form for anyone interested.....

http://www.racingpost.co.uk/horses/free_video_form.sd

[my miss storm cat]

On Monk.....

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/n...al_101937.html

* * *

Monet's Garden won today!

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/n...al_152723.html

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

Can't wait for The Chair.

Had Innox who went down at the first last year. Shortest bet I ever made.

Too bad it won't be on TVG this year, I'll have to watch on the computer.

Backed Point Barrow who went down at the first this year. Next year I'll post who I am backing and everyone can stay away.

I am a Grand National Mush.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

Backed Point Barrow who went down at the first this year. Next year I'll post who I am backing and everyone can stay away.

I am a Grand National Mush.

Is he alright?

Silver Birch..... not one I'm familiar with but congrats to him and anyone who picked him.

Hope everyone came home okay. On another board they're saying the fallers are all okay. This is why i can't watch it.....

[NoChanceToDance]

Just reading through this. I'm with you brockguy....... this is probably the most famous race in the world.

Ask anyone in the world who has no connection with racing what won the Grand National and 8 times out of 10 they will know. Ask the same person who won the KY Derby and i doubt any would have a clue.

It is the people's race where everyone gets involved and has a bet.

Easily the most famous race in the world, no matter how much people like/dislike the event.

[Hwjb]

Fantastic success for Silver Birch and his first-season trainer Gordy Elliott. A really nice guy, who's only 29 years old, and hasn't even had a winner in his home country yet - and has only had four in all! Brilliant story...and not only cos I had some of the 33/1!!