Of course the irony is that even when attempts are made to immerse novices into the world of racing via events like The Shergar Cup, a thread entitled "Please Make This Year’s Shergar Cup The Last" appears on these boards!
Mike
I don’t follow the irony element and where it fits into the thread I started Mike.
You said yourself:-
However, there’s a world of difference between attracting new racegoers and creating new punters. I strongly believe racing punters are born not made, and sadly, all the marketing in the world will not add to their numbers.
That is part of my gripe with The Shergar Cup, it may fill the Racecourse, which fills the coffers in turn but the format of six x ten runner handicaps and a team competition does little to show a newcomer much about the nuances of Horse Racing. Lost in all the posts so far was my suggestion of changing the event to something more varied and perhaps make it a celebration of one of the greatest trainers of our time, Sir Henry Cecil. Shergar is long gone, a horse of a runaway Derby win and a mysterious piece of folklore regarding his kidnapping and this competition does nothing to serve as a testament to him anyway as far as I am concerned. Some believe my criticism of the event is harsh and so be it. Let us celebrate putting bums on seats and not dabble with such irrational ideas as "improving" a fixture to make it appeal to a wider audience and perhaps teach newcomers a little more about racing’s variety.
No harm in talking about it and getting different opinions and I am pleased with the number of people who took the time to respond. Thanks
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.