Thomass Posted June 18, 2019 Share Posted June 18, 2019 Perhaps not in the true sense...but he probably does that as well... as actually whisper "Horses really listen to people's voices, they really respond to people talking to them kindly, and, the other way, if you're aggressive with them, they squirm up and don't like that," O'Brien tells me as we chat on the Ballydoyle gallops. "If you talk to them and they're used to being spoken to, they pick up on words and really respond. "Obviously, horses can't talk back to you in sound, but actions will speak greater than words. We get a lot of feedback from reactions." Asked about being a horse whisperer, he switches quickly to his praise-everyone-but-yourself mode with which, having followed him for two decades, I am very familiar. He said: "We have some unbelievably gifted, special people here, and all the people around us have that gift - we feel very privileged to have those people with us." I'm not sure I've ever heard him take any credit himself for anything that's happened. That's always deflected onto "the lads" - Coolmore partners John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith - for their immaculate planning of both races and the matings of their bloodstock; and on to the teamwork of the people at Ballydoyle and at Coolmore Stud. And on to the horses themselves, of course. O'Brien insists he and his family just count themselves fortunate to be part of a successful story. But former champion rider Kieren Fallon, who was number one jockey at Ballydoyle for three seasons from 2005, says O'Brien is being too modest. Fallon, whose autobiography included a chapter about O'Brien titled 'The God of Horses', told me his former boss could make a troublesome horse as quiet as a mouse. He said: "Scorpion was a very difficult horse, very boisterous, and I remember saying to Aidan at The Curragh [racecourse] one-day, because the guy leading him up was all over the place, 'could you take him?' "He just put his hand on Scorpion and led him out, and he walked out like a mouse, and as soon as he let him go, he just took off with me. "Horses are very sensitive animals and when he's around them, they respect him… they're like lambs." And O'Brien likes to experiment with gear..to get the ultimate response... In last nights Coventry...ARIZONA simply had a straight bridle on...and what a grouse horse he is... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooncoin Posted June 18, 2019 Share Posted June 18, 2019 This fella looked outstanding in the paddock today Thomo.What a great looker and very professional in his attitude!Get on for the 3yr old classics. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomass Posted June 18, 2019 Author Share Posted June 18, 2019 Too true...and took a long time to wind up....as you say 3yo Classics in headlights! By No Nay Never..leading Euro 2yo sire....a son of Scat Daddy...sire of triple crown winner Justify! Incidently Ellis purchased a No Nay Never ex young Fastnet Rock mare for 130K Hell be putting an extra wrap of cotton wool around as we speak! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted June 19, 2019 Share Posted June 19, 2019 8 hours ago, Thomass said: Too true...and took a long time to wind up....as you say 3yo Classics in headlights! By No Nay Never..leading Euro 2yo sire....a son of Scat Daddy...sire of triple crown winner Justify! Incidently Ellis purchased a No Nay Never ex young Fastnet Rock mare for 130K Hell be putting an extra wrap of cotton wool around as we speak! Lovely colt. Might need a bit more time than they are suggesting. Still well bought I thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docker Posted June 19, 2019 Share Posted June 19, 2019 Two question marks indicate if the question asked does not return an answer (first question mark), then the answer is the second questions mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomass Posted June 20, 2019 Author Share Posted June 20, 2019 If double question marks are used it is to emphasise something in return, usually from the shock of the previous thing said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docker Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 Wrong. If the answer is true or false then the first question mark is satisfied. If the answer is subjective then the second question mark is the answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomass Posted June 20, 2019 Author Share Posted June 20, 2019 Wrong, I used it from the 'shock' perspective... ..that indeed moi was shocked that he could be a horth withperer... ...either from his physical movements...a true horth withperer... ...and also from the whithpering thweet nothings angle... ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 Ffs...I'd like to read the Fallon autobiography....wonder how one would acquire a copy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomass Posted June 20, 2019 Author Share Posted June 20, 2019 (edited) I'm here to yelp Freda... https://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/Form-Kieren-Fallon/9781471166518?utm_source=googleps&utm_medium=ps&utm_campaign=NZ&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqIyC-_L44gIVDyQrCh1gIA7REAQYAiABEgIv3PD_BwE Edited June 20, 2019 by Thomass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docker Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 On 20/06/2019 at 10:54 PM, Thomass said: Wrong, I used it from the 'shock' perspective... ..that indeed moi was shocked that he could be a horth withperer... ...either from his physical movements...a true horth withperer... ...and also from the whithpering thweet nothings angle... ... You started your post with a verb (action), using to 2 question marks at the end which does not make sense. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomass Posted June 23, 2019 Author Share Posted June 23, 2019 Docker docker docker...you're a shocker Just let it go...I never had a grip though ...if this was a certifiable examination to retain my degree in Essential Engrish..I may give a flying figlet... ...any opinions on whithpering then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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