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Letter of the Week

Too matey, mate

It is about time Sky ensured that all their presenters provided the racing public with at least a basic standard of spoken English.

No one expects racecallers and interviewers to speak with a plum in their mouths and they can be forgiven for occasional mispronunciation of horses’ names in this day of multi-barrelled, foreign and exotic thoroughbred names.

However, it is quite cringewotthy to hear some consistently tell us a horse is "raring up" in the stalls. Any self-respecting grade-one student will tell you that when a horse rises on its hind legs it is rearing ("up" is not needed as it is implied).

Then there is the obsession on the part of some with using the word "mate". Some time ago during one interview a prominent trainer was addressed only as "mate" (nine times): "Good run, mate," "What’s next for it, mate?" "Will it run the 2000, mate?" etc.

An occasional "mate" is harmless, but its overuse only indicates ignorance, arrogance, disrespect or simply stupidity. Surely any trainer, owner or jockey deserves the courtesy of being addressed by his or her given name on national television.

Sky’s ultra-professional personalities like Alan Thomas, Darren McAullay, Greg Miles, Peter Staples, Jason Witham, Richard Freedman (always interesting with a refreshing touch of humour) and some others obviously take great pride in their profession and regularly do their homework to ensure the coverage they provide is equal to any in the world.

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Today's Racing
Friday 29 March
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