Ashers wrote:Totally agree, are either of you members of any racing forums?
Unfortunately not, as I haven't discovered a good one. Some years ago, I read, but didn't contribute to, the Betfair forum, but soon gave up as the average post was rarely worth reading, its "prize plonker" element put fiso to shame in the "idiot stakes".
So my interest is largely confined to reading and TV. At least Mrs Striker who can be pretty determined at times to control the TV remote, understands that racing is sacrosanct on our main TV. There are several journalists who are well worth reading and I particularly enjoy reading Tom Segal, even ignoring his tips which deserve their reputation, the guy is so reasonable and balanced.
Although many people follow racing its a limited number compared to football if my experience is anything to go by. Although I'd guess that 60% of my male friends and acquaintances are happy to suddenly switch the conversation to the Premiership, very few want to talk about racing, their interest ranging from luke warm to zero!
The level of most people's interest is that to enjoy going to the races, they must have a bet on most races. Last Christmas when I went to Kempton with Miss Striker who had a small bet on every race, she was perplexed knowing that I bet sometimes and had studied the form on the train, that I did not have a single bet at the course. I enjoyed the day even though it didn't directly lead to pigeon-holing any future bets.
I was fascinated by racing as a kid and from the age of around 8 was known as a tipster in M&S head office where my father worked, with beneficiaries of successful "advice" slipping me the odd 5 shillings which was massive compared to my puny pocket money. My father was happy to take me to football, rarely wanted to go racing, unless it was my selected "birthday trip", and so from the age of 12-13 would hitch to race meetings and point to points either by myself or with a couple of friends. (Parents weren't so paranoid in those days, although earlier at the age of 9 I'd been grounded for a time after a secret day trip up to London on the tube with two friends, who were also subsequently grounded when we successfully filled up our "I Spy London" books). During one University vacation, I worked at Timeform, and on leaving Uni had a racing journalist offer. I put it on hold while I popped off to Africa for a year, but as I stayed there and in other parts of the developing world for 40 years, that "career" never went very far.
So its now time to re-engage in the interest of my youth.
Blimey that was a post that finished up very differently from the intention when I initially responded.
But at least it shows that I am genuinely interested in racing.