Michael Ogilvy
@michaelo99.bsky.social
Ex-R&D director in Big Pharma. Passions are music, mountains, tennis & NH racing. Owner with T Lacy, C Longsdon & J Snowden. A proud Northern European who detests Brexit. Mahlerholic.
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Carnage in the Great Yorkshire Chase with 4 horses coming down at the 1st fence in the straight (sadly including a likely fatality). Yesterday all fences in the straight were dolled off, yet the sunlight seems just as strong today. I'm no fan of dolling off, but questions need to be asked here.
January 25, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Carnage in the Great Yorkshire Chase with 4 horses coming down at the 1st fence in the straight (sadly including a likely fatality). Yesterday all fences in the straight were dolled off, yet the sunlight seems just as strong today. I'm no fan of dolling off, but questions need to be asked here.
I'm normally the 1st to complain when whole lines of fences are dolled off because of low sun. But our quirky horse Harjo just seemed to love it yesterday, jumping off in front and zig-zagging round the obstacles with relish. Paid 31-1 on the Tote, and the longest priced winner I've ever owned!
January 25, 2025 at 11:07 AM
I'm normally the 1st to complain when whole lines of fences are dolled off because of low sun. But our quirky horse Harjo just seemed to love it yesterday, jumping off in front and zig-zagging round the obstacles with relish. Paid 31-1 on the Tote, and the longest priced winner I've ever owned!
Back to Windsor as an owner tomorrow after a gap of a mere 28 years! Race viewing will be just as restricted, but expecting this to be mitigated by large outdoor screen(s) and plenty of TVs in O&T.
January 16, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Back to Windsor as an owner tomorrow after a gap of a mere 28 years! Race viewing will be just as restricted, but expecting this to be mitigated by large outdoor screen(s) and plenty of TVs in O&T.
For those who enjoy a bit of schadenfreude, I would urge you to listen to the closing stages of Thommo's commentary on the 3.45 at Ayr. It's quite excruciating.
January 6, 2025 at 5:50 PM
For those who enjoy a bit of schadenfreude, I would urge you to listen to the closing stages of Thommo's commentary on the 3.45 at Ayr. It's quite excruciating.
We've reached a situation now where jockeys' opinions are dictating the quality of racegoers' experience.
Jockeys: 'Low sun, we can't see'
Racecourse: 'Block off all the fences!'
Jockeys: 'Bit of water on the track'
Racecourse: 'Abandon the meeting!'
Jockeys: 'Low sun, we can't see'
Racecourse: 'Block off all the fences!'
Jockeys: 'Bit of water on the track'
Racecourse: 'Abandon the meeting!'
January 5, 2025 at 1:57 PM
We've reached a situation now where jockeys' opinions are dictating the quality of racegoers' experience.
Jockeys: 'Low sun, we can't see'
Racecourse: 'Block off all the fences!'
Jockeys: 'Bit of water on the track'
Racecourse: 'Abandon the meeting!'
Jockeys: 'Low sun, we can't see'
Racecourse: 'Block off all the fences!'
Jockeys: 'Bit of water on the track'
Racecourse: 'Abandon the meeting!'
Now that is frozen.
January 3, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Now that is frozen.
Monumental cock-up by Musselborough. Just seen a video taken by a jockey walking the course earlier and it looks frozen. Temperatures were above freezing since they took the covers off, so they must have laid the covers on top of frozen ground. That is crazy, unforgiveable, and I'm hopping mad!
January 3, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Monumental cock-up by Musselborough. Just seen a video taken by a jockey walking the course earlier and it looks frozen. Temperatures were above freezing since they took the covers off, so they must have laid the covers on top of frozen ground. That is crazy, unforgiveable, and I'm hopping mad!
On tenterhooks awaiting Musselburgh's inspection, now put back till 12. We've sent Roger Pol up there for the 3m novice chase where he's a warm favourite in the betting (no suitable race in the South). Runners so far this week have finished 4th and 3rd, so c'mon Roger!
January 3, 2025 at 10:32 AM
On tenterhooks awaiting Musselburgh's inspection, now put back till 12. We've sent Roger Pol up there for the 3m novice chase where he's a warm favourite in the betting (no suitable race in the South). Runners so far this week have finished 4th and 3rd, so c'mon Roger!
A 'wow' moment at Ascot. If there's a bumper horse on the other side of the irish Sea who is better than Windbeneathmywings, then that will be a very special horse indeed.
December 20, 2024 at 4:18 PM
A 'wow' moment at Ascot. If there's a bumper horse on the other side of the irish Sea who is better than Windbeneathmywings, then that will be a very special horse indeed.
For a small owner the chance of an across-the-card double doesn't arise too often, but tomorrow is one of those days; Harjo kicking off at Wincanton (2.45) followed by Kosac D'Oudairies at Catterick (3.29). Kosac has an obvious chance but Harjo would need to show that a recent wind op. has worked.
December 16, 2024 at 7:48 PM
For a small owner the chance of an across-the-card double doesn't arise too often, but tomorrow is one of those days; Harjo kicking off at Wincanton (2.45) followed by Kosac D'Oudairies at Catterick (3.29). Kosac has an obvious chance but Harjo would need to show that a recent wind op. has worked.
Reposted by Michael Ogilvy
A towering Mahler 6 from Klaus Mäkelä and the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein
✍️ Chanda VanderHart
bachtrack.com/review-makel...
✍️ Chanda VanderHart
bachtrack.com/review-makel...
A towering Mahler 6 from Klaus Mäkelä and the Vienna Philharmonic
A “baptism by fire”... but not for Klaus Mäkelä, making his debut with the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein in Mahler's Sixth Symphony.
bachtrack.com
December 16, 2024 at 2:22 PM
A towering Mahler 6 from Klaus Mäkelä and the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein
✍️ Chanda VanderHart
bachtrack.com/review-makel...
✍️ Chanda VanderHart
bachtrack.com/review-makel...
A real possibility that all 4 UK jumps cards could be abandoned tomorrow!
December 6, 2024 at 5:20 PM
A real possibility that all 4 UK jumps cards could be abandoned tomorrow!
Good to see that Market Rasen has reduced the entry ticket prices for 2025 to £10 (for all enclosures if purchased in advance) or £15 if purcheased at the gate.
A welcome development and perhaps the start of a trend?
A welcome development and perhaps the start of a trend?
December 1, 2024 at 10:57 AM
Good to see that Market Rasen has reduced the entry ticket prices for 2025 to £10 (for all enclosures if purchased in advance) or £15 if purcheased at the gate.
A welcome development and perhaps the start of a trend?
A welcome development and perhaps the start of a trend?
Hopeful of big runs from two of mine this weekend. Roger Pol at Doncaster tomorrow and Hardy Du Seuil at Carlisle on Sunday. I can see Hardy running into a place at rewarding odds, on a track and ground which will suit.
November 29, 2024 at 10:10 PM
Hopeful of big runs from two of mine this weekend. Roger Pol at Doncaster tomorrow and Hardy Du Seuil at Carlisle on Sunday. I can see Hardy running into a place at rewarding odds, on a track and ground which will suit.
...2) who trained Attivo and Be Friendly for Peter O'Sullivan (Anyone remember them?). Was at Haydock one day with Freddie and he made a beeline for the Be Friendly statue in the paddock, which he'd never seen before, to have his photo taken beside it.
November 29, 2024 at 4:20 PM
...2) who trained Attivo and Be Friendly for Peter O'Sullivan (Anyone remember them?). Was at Haydock one day with Freddie and he made a beeline for the Be Friendly statue in the paddock, which he'd never seen before, to have his photo taken beside it.
Great to see Freddie Mitchell ride 2 valuable handicap winners for his new boss Gary Moore. Got to know him a bit when he was pupil-assistant at J. Snowden's and he was extremely proud of his racing lineage, being the son of Epsom trainer Philip Mitchell and the grandson of Cyril Mitchell...2)
November 29, 2024 at 4:14 PM
Great to see Freddie Mitchell ride 2 valuable handicap winners for his new boss Gary Moore. Got to know him a bit when he was pupil-assistant at J. Snowden's and he was extremely proud of his racing lineage, being the son of Epsom trainer Philip Mitchell and the grandson of Cyril Mitchell...2)
2).. prevented him reaching the heights that those 2 have achieved, but he's taken us to the big races at the top tracks so owes us nothing. Hopefully he's now in a mark where he can start winning again, but I can't really be confident that tomorrow will be his day. 🤞
November 24, 2024 at 5:46 PM
2).. prevented him reaching the heights that those 2 have achieved, but he's taken us to the big races at the top tracks so owes us nothing. Hopefully he's now in a mark where he can start winning again, but I can't really be confident that tomorrow will be his day. 🤞
Luttrell Lad goes in the final race at Kempton tomorrow. A leading novice at 4-5, he ran 2nd in the Persian War and nto he got the better of I Am Maximus after a protracted battle up the Exeter straight, only to be mugged on the line by Jpr One.
Sadly a succession of injuries and illnesses... 2)
Sadly a succession of injuries and illnesses... 2)
November 24, 2024 at 5:43 PM
Luttrell Lad goes in the final race at Kempton tomorrow. A leading novice at 4-5, he ran 2nd in the Persian War and nto he got the better of I Am Maximus after a protracted battle up the Exeter straight, only to be mugged on the line by Jpr One.
Sadly a succession of injuries and illnesses... 2)
Sadly a succession of injuries and illnesses... 2)
Peeing down and blowin' a hoolie... proper Venetia weather.
Royal Pagaille anyone?
Royal Pagaille anyone?
November 23, 2024 at 1:38 PM
Peeing down and blowin' a hoolie... proper Venetia weather.
Royal Pagaille anyone?
Royal Pagaille anyone?
I worry about Jerry Hannon. One of those days I expect him to expire at the climax of a race.
November 23, 2024 at 12:12 PM
I worry about Jerry Hannon. One of those days I expect him to expire at the climax of a race.
Reposted by Michael Ogilvy
With new figures showing that more than one in three children in the UK are now living in poverty, with deprivation hitting a record high, it's good to see the Times focusing on the people who are really struggling
November 20, 2024 at 10:29 AM
With new figures showing that more than one in three children in the UK are now living in poverty, with deprivation hitting a record high, it's good to see the Times focusing on the people who are really struggling
Reposted by Michael Ogilvy
Tax due if parents hand on £3m house: £940k
Tax due if parents hand on a £3m farm: £0
A reminder of significant tax advantage to farmers vs everyone else AFTER these changes
Tax due if parents hand on a £3m farm: £0
A reminder of significant tax advantage to farmers vs everyone else AFTER these changes
November 19, 2024 at 1:28 PM
Tax due if parents hand on £3m house: £940k
Tax due if parents hand on a £3m farm: £0
A reminder of significant tax advantage to farmers vs everyone else AFTER these changes
Tax due if parents hand on a £3m farm: £0
A reminder of significant tax advantage to farmers vs everyone else AFTER these changes
Relieved to finally see some proper winter ground today!
November 19, 2024 at 1:27 PM
Relieved to finally see some proper winter ground today!
Reposted by Michael Ogilvy
What gets to me most is that the UK government enabled foreign states to loot our essential infrastructure, milking it for profit and leaving it in ruins. Those states must think we're insane.
The Chinese government would never let us walk in and seize its assets. But we've let it do just that.
The Chinese government would never let us walk in and seize its assets. But we've let it do just that.
How privatisation works (and Thames Water is just the latest example).
1. A government takes a national asset built up with taxpayers' money and the work of public servants over many years, and hands it, for a fraction of its value, to a private company.
2. In doing so, it creates a monopoly.
🧵
1. A government takes a national asset built up with taxpayers' money and the work of public servants over many years, and hands it, for a fraction of its value, to a private company.
2. In doing so, it creates a monopoly.
🧵
November 19, 2024 at 10:22 AM
What gets to me most is that the UK government enabled foreign states to loot our essential infrastructure, milking it for profit and leaving it in ruins. Those states must think we're insane.
The Chinese government would never let us walk in and seize its assets. But we've let it do just that.
The Chinese government would never let us walk in and seize its assets. But we've let it do just that.
Reposted by Michael Ogilvy
As someone asked - I have 666 after my name as a jest about a poll run by Annan RFC when I played.
The 2 options -
1. Is Brian Moore the Antichrist?
2. Is he an angel sent from above?
Despite voting for option 2 multiple times, I lost heavily.
The 2 options -
1. Is Brian Moore the Antichrist?
2. Is he an angel sent from above?
Despite voting for option 2 multiple times, I lost heavily.
November 19, 2024 at 9:23 AM
As someone asked - I have 666 after my name as a jest about a poll run by Annan RFC when I played.
The 2 options -
1. Is Brian Moore the Antichrist?
2. Is he an angel sent from above?
Despite voting for option 2 multiple times, I lost heavily.
The 2 options -
1. Is Brian Moore the Antichrist?
2. Is he an angel sent from above?
Despite voting for option 2 multiple times, I lost heavily.