World's most famous race

brockguy · #1 04-10-2007, 05:35 PM

a heads up that it is taking place this Saturday - the Grand National. It should be a great race as usual. I'd love to see one of the previous winners Hedgehunter or Numbersixvalverde win it but Point Barrow looks like the ideal type!
Hopefully, all the horses and riders will arrive home safely!

brockguy · #2 04-10-2007, 07:39 PM

I will disagree entirely with that... in the States the Derby obviously is more popular, but when taking the whole world into account it is certainly the Grand National.
Who name is more recognisable worldwide - Red Rum or Secretariat? Im sure its the former!

ArlJim78 · #3 04-10-2007, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brockguy

I will disagree entirely with that... in the States the Derby obviously is more popular, but when taking the whole world into account it is certainly the Grand National.
Who name is more recognisable worldwide - Red Rum or Secretariat? Im sure its the former!

Are you including South America and Asia when you say worldwide?
I highly doubt that the Grand National is more famous if you include the whole world. First of all because I don't belive steeplechase is more popular than flat racing worldwide.

brockguy · #4 04-10-2007, 08:01 PM

i dont think it matters that steeplechasing isnt as popular around the world -its the actual event. People are all very aware of the Superbowl without actually following American Football.

Ive been in the middle of absolute nowhere on Grand National day and still somehow, seen newspaper and television reports on it!

Bigsmc · #5 04-10-2007, 08:25 PM

Can't wait for The Chair.

Had Innox who went down at the first last year. Shortest bet I ever made.

Too bad it won't be on TVG this year, I'll have to watch on the computer.

wigmore · #6 04-10-2007, 09:02 PM

from the Grand National website the estimated TV audience worldwide for this years race is 600 million

http://www.grandnational.org.uk/

2004 Kentucky Derby was watched by 14.6 million viewers in the US. Do you think that there are 583.4 million viewers of the Kentucky Derby outside the US?

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/New...ws3monday.html

Bigsmc · #7 04-14-2007, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

Can't wait for The Chair.

Had Innox who went down at the first last year. Shortest bet I ever made.

Too bad it won't be on TVG this year, I'll have to watch on the computer.

Backed Point Barrow who went down at the first this year. Next year I'll post who I am backing and everyone can stay away.

I am a Grand National Mush.

brockguy · #8 04-11-2007, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardus

It's a tough call to say that the greatest jumper of all time is better known than one of the greatest Thoroughbreds of all time.

After reading some of the subsequent posts, this answer to the question of which race is the most popular worldwide did become much more unclear to me, though.

just to clarify, Red Rum wouldnt be considered the best steeplechaser of all time, simply the most recognised for winning the Grand National 3 times and finishing 2nd twice. the greatest ever steeplechaser unarguably goes to Arkle!