Don't Give Up The Day Job........

The other day I spent a few minutes explaining to my daughter how film star Gerard Butler (PS I Love You, 300, Rock N Rolla) hasn’t branched out into horse training and that trainer Gerard Butler doesn’t turn up at the track wearing leather underpants and a cape.  There would be no need for hyped up Ladies Days to get the females through the gates if this were the case!

I then spotted a book called ‘Starter For Ten’ that has been lent to me and which is written by one David Nicholls -  the same author who also wrote ‘One Day’  which has recently been made into a film (the format that all good books are eventually converted to thus alleviating the necessity of reading them....according to my son!)

When you start to look, it is surprising how there just aren't enough unique names to go round!  Many of the names known to us racing crazies are better known in other spheres for something altogether different!

Here are what a few racing names might be moonlighting as:

Hot Coast, Sea And Cliffs - Mark Johnston

Mark Johnston – an abstract expressionist landscape artist living in Brighton and in touch with his emotional side


Will Kennedy – world class jazz drummer who is now restricted to hitting his drums just 8 times

Paul Midgley - Professor of Materials Science and Director of the Electron Microscopy Facility at Cambridge University (all round clever clogs!)

Mark Prescott – was head chef at Le Gavroche who went on to open quality Lancashire nomming place The Mulberry Tree 

Mick Channon – also a football player for Southampton and England... ..oh hang on a minute!!!

Robert Winston – doctor, professor and presenter of The Human Body and Superhuman

Robert Winston                       Robert Winston

George Baker  - also a jockey

John Dunlop – invented the pneumatic tyre

George Baker - also a trainer


David Barron – film producer responsible for conjuring up many of the Harry Potter films

George Baker – also a horse

Paddy Brennan – a 50’s comic illustrator who did work for the Dandy, Beano and Topper

Amy Ryan Actress - The One on the Left!

Amy Ryan – An American actress who was nominated for an Oscar for Gone Baby Gone and who has also appeared in the US Office

Robert Thornton – arrow thrower (professional darts player)......very similar to me when picking winners!

Ed McMahon –  a late American comedian, game show host and announcer most famous for Budweiser commercials and for being Johnny Carson’s sidekick 

Hugh(ie) Morrison – composer and performer of traditional Celtic music

Milton Bradley – an American games manufacturer who makes Battleship, Connect Four, Hungry Hippos, Yahtzee and Twister.  The MB that you see on many game boxes!

Gary Moore – Guitarist par excellence who sadly departed this world earlier in the year.  Best known for Parisian Walkways and Thin Lizzy....,,,,,,,,and mega sustain!

George Baker - Actor, Trainer, Jockey, Horse

Alan Berry – musical director and pianist who has been involved with Shrek The Musical, Spamalot, Hairspray

George Baker – as we all now know is a jockey, a trainer and a horse but also the actor who played Inspector Wexford.

Paul Gallagher – also less famous (less talented?) brother of Liam and Noel

Paul Nicholls – actor who has appeared in Eastenders and as well as Waterloo Road

Paul Nicholls - You Must Be 'Avin A Larf !

Brendan Powell – add a 'Smith' to the end of his name and a 'Reverend' to the front and you have the Reverend Brendan Power-Smith, creator of a website dedicated to playing with Lego (sorry that should be constructing lego) and another The Brick Testament which illustrates bible stories with Lego ...............truly such a website exists!!  Truly brilliant and (of course) American.
  

Sam Thomas – another very talented artist

David Allen – comedian Dave Allen died in 2004 and left behind some brilliant satire  "If it's sent by ship then it's a cargo, if it's sent by road then it's a shipment."  "I'm an atheist, thank God!".