Win Circle Etiquette
 

I had the extreme pleasure of standing in the winner's circle yesterday with a horse I own a part of - second win pic this year!!

There were 5 or 6 other people in there, two of whom I didn't know. I think it was a husband and wife since they were holding hands....

Both walked into the circle with cell phones stuck to their faces. The man hung up but the woman kept right on talking through the whole thing including when the photo was taken.

I thought it was very disrespectful. There's just something old school about being able to stand with your winning horse and have your photo taken while showing your pride in being his/her owner. It's a proud moment captured in time and after you have spent all the money you win from the purse, you still have that great photo to stare at with admiration for years to come.

But now, in my photo, there's some b***h who felt it was more important to talk to Kathy about her shopping trip yesterday morning than it was to respect the horse and the other partners.

Am I just being an old grumpy fart? Or, should I have knocked the phone from her hands and stepped on it?

No problem with that...she would have NOT even been allowed in the paddock with a cell phone out in any NYRA track! The trainer or managing partner is usually responsible for winners circle decorum! I'm still old school, getting dressed up on race day if I've got a horse racing. It just shows a little respect for the sport IMO. I make my son's dress up on race day also!

It kills me to see how laid back they are in California tracks with trainers in the paddock and winners circle in old jeans and shirts flopping out of their pants. Julio Canalli is one who comes to mind vs The Sarge who looked nice as always in a shirt, tie and blazer with dress jeans or slacks yesterday!

grumpy old fart.

she was probably excited and was yapping away

While you've got that cell phone stuck to your ear, telling your friends, "Guess where I am? Yeah, we won! Yeah, I'm in the winners circle right now! Yeah, right now!", you're sure missing enjoying the moment, in my view. And it's surely quite rude to everyone else there.

She probably drives with her cell phone in her ear too. Those types of people are afraid to be alone.

Just figure she's got bigger problems than you. If she can't enjoy the moment for what it is and feels compelled to get on her phone during the time in the winner's circle then she obviously doesn't know her elbow from her .....

Ahhh, I would tend to agree with you had she been sharing those words with the other end of her conversation. But she wasn't - she never mentioned the win circle or the photo or even the race. The conversation was about shopping, specifically, she could find an outfit she liked for a party this Saturday.....

Guess I'll have to fire up Photoshop and do some touch-up when I get the pic....

I don't plan on dressing up for my own funeral...

but as far as cell phones.

EXTREMELY rude and it is not just the winner's circle.
I was at Churchill Downs - they played the national anthem and the whole place was respectfully quiet except for one "person" blah blah blah blah

grrr...

There is a woma I work with that couldn't shut up to save her life. I bet she talks in her sleep.

ok, i misunderstood the original post. I change my mind. It was rude.

politicians do it why cant I?

I was just saying the same thing yesterday and completely agree. It doesn't have to be Royal Ascot everytime but have some respect and pride for yourself, your horse and your trainer.

You are not an old grumpy fart. You should have taken the phone out of her hand and shoved it up her…
NYRA does try to keep a little dress code in the paddock I.E. no shorts etc. but some tracks allow anything.

...you work with my wife?

do different tracks have paddock and winner circle dress codes?:o

River Downs requires you wear a tank top, cut off jean shorts, and a pair of old prowings. Otherwise most tracks let you wear what you want

I take it you saw me there last week with my fresh mullet, eh?

yea, the River is not the best. but could you take it a little easy considering it is now my 'home' track? :) :eek:

I threw up the shocker in one of my winners circle pics.

2 for the pink
and 1 for the stink

Hahaaa, you get the last "comment" on her :p

Congrats on your win!

With No Disrespect To Women All Over,,,,,,, Stay The Hell Off Your Cellphone For 2 Seconds!! Yap, Yap, Yap.