Twitter recap: Horsey McHorseface and a resignation steal show
THE Brisbane Racing Carnival is in full swing, but two very different stories stole the headlines during the first full week of June.
A hilariously named galloper won its maiden race and generated some serious chatter on social media, while the shock resignation of a Godolphin stalwart set Twitter alight for very different reasons.
We took a look at the best tweets from both issues.
Australia’s favourite horse is a maiden no more
Has any horse in Australia stirred controversy and notoriety for its name alone quite like Horsey McHorseface.
After an inauspicious start to its career, the Kiwi import won stylishly at Cessnock and set Twitter ablaze.
He’s done it! The people’s horse Horsey McHorseface breaks through for his maiden win at #Cessnock. Congrats to connections & @BBakerRacing! pic.twitter.com/hMVZ3Is5U4
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 5, 2017
A lot of social media users were incredulous as to the name, but yes; it is real.
As Shakespeare asked, What’s in a name? That which we call a — horse?? A thoroughbred named #HorseyMcHorseface won his maiden in Australia.
— Laura Haase (@lauralynn1955) June 6, 2017
One Twitter user even speculated on the name, in case you were wondering.
@TheTodayShow No, the 3 yr old wasn’t asked to name the horse. Suspect Dad wanted to copy #BoatyMcBoatface when he named #HorseyMcHorseface
— Aussie Julie (@AussieJulie) June 6, 2017
Not content generating headlines just in Australia, Horsey McHorseface was able to create a commotion overseas.
First the BBC in England.
The amazingly named Australian racehorse Horsey McHorseface has won its first race.https://t.co/TCUjKnD5gz pic.twitter.com/uIplVVnGyp
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 5, 2017
Then CNN in America.
Congratulations, Horsey McHorseface – the best name in horse racing has won his maiden race https://t.co/whP3IsBpP5 pic.twitter.com/EPRLnNrR1o
— CNN International (@cnni) June 5, 2017
Godolphin thrown into turmoil as John Ferguson quits
The royal blue of Godolphin was in the headlines for the wrong reasons this week as John Ferguson, Sheikh Mohammed’s long-standing right-hand man quit the racing juggernaut at the beginning of the week.
Ferguson’s position within Godolphin became “untenable”, and one racing enthusiast welcomed the decision.
At last the cancer John Ferguson @godolphin is no longer there An inept person who mismanaged the operation for yrs on many fronts Bye bye
— Thomas Pinto (@ThomasAPinto) June 7, 2017
However, most social media users were more concerned with the impact on the peripheral members of the team.
Most unfortunate thing in Godolphin story is how careers of two excellent jockeys in Doyle & SDS compromised by the trainer power struggle.
— David Johnson (@davidjohnsonTF) June 6, 2017
Another Twitter user speculated the impact the turmoil could have on the horses of the stable.
this Godolphin internal feuding could make it hard for their horses to settle and race efficiently
— Jimmy P2P Patron (@rjstew1982) June 5, 2017
Is this the decision that was needed to be made to help Godolphin fulfil its potential?
Most racing fans would argue that they are the most powerful presence in racing, but one Twitter user thinks they now have the potential to start afresh and become even more dominant.
Godolphin would be absolutely flying without these terrible jockeys and racing managers.
— Graham Cunningham (@gcunning12) June 6, 2017