Scottsville Hurdle Races

I seem to recall that Cyril Hurwitz brought out Irish jock Dermot Weld who later went on to become a great trainer for the "Jump Race"...Craig can you confirm if it was the same Dermot Weld?

Got to love the selection for the Hurdles Race something I am thinking of doing today's meeting

Yes I gather it was him.

Thanks Craig, he was an amateur jock so could not ride in the flat races but whipped them in the hurdle race..unbelievable crowds in those days.

Son of trainer Charlie Weld. ... Weld, who studied at University College, Dublin, was champion amateur rider under National Hunt rules in Ireland in 1969, 1971 and 1972. He rode his first winner at age 15 and collected wins in Ireland, England, France, United States and South Africa. ... Because of his wins around the world, he was subject of an Irish documentary titled "Flying the Flag."

He was also featured in the movie The Cup , H

Guys - I will post a few of the subsequent fields and results - unfortunately Duff stopped inserting the pics after the first year.

Does someone no the reasoning behind why hurdle races were discontinued; I seem to remember that we also had a few of these in Joh'burg when I was a kid - to me it would seem a logical way to extend a 'slowish but sound' horse's career after competing on the flat - or even 'in stead of' competing on the flat?

Frodo Wrote:

---

> Does someone no the reasoning behind why hurdle
> races were discontinued; I seem to remember that
> we also had a few of these in Joh'burg when I was
> a kid - to me it would seem a logical way to
> extend a 'slowish but sound' horse's career after
> competing on the flat - or even 'in stead of'
> competing on the flat?


I would imagine the same reason local harness racing was done away with.

the trainer of south wind d goosen was that louis goosens dad?

Frodo Wrote:

---

> Does someone no the reasoning behind why hurdle
> races were discontinued; I seem to remember that
> we also had a few of these in Joh'burg when I was
> a kid - to me it would seem a logical way to
> extend a 'slowish but sound' horse's career after
> competing on the flat - or even 'in stead of'
> competing on the flat?


It was about the safety.....and then a lack of support, enthusiasm....but primarily about falls and forcing horses to jump....

and no...we didn't need stats to back up the reasons.... just like today....