To think Liz Jones is a bitter and twisted old hag?

I googled LJ to find out about her ..this was the top of the Google list!

www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/16/liz-jones-inundated-cash-offers

Could you define my 'sneering' attitude Crimson, given what I have said?

Sel; I'm bemused by your somewhat sneering attitude towards my love of racing given that you admit that you have bought, raced and sold on horses without any thought of their future welfare.

She isn't real!

Perhaps if she stopped telling us how much she helps her family we would like her more - and so would they!

Jeez. There's a Clare Balding appreciation society a goin on (must be some music to accompany that). She does a great job commentating on various sports.

Horse racing - and the ethics thereof, another issue. Crimson nice you follow a blog about your favourite racehorse but why do you think he races - he likes it?

Liz Jones: just seems to bring out so much vitriol in people, not sure why. I like the fact she cares for her animals (child subistutes ok) at a huge expense to herself. She pays for her Mum in her care home, she funds various relatives. She likes Prada and massages - so what? She pays for them herself and never asks a man to pay for anything. Completely self made woman. Go sisters {grin]

Can't argue that there isn't a dark side to racing but the above [if it works] interview at least shows the sort of life that Ballabriggs has had thus far and will have on retirement.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=L02Ovb-83Vs

The famous ones often do have the time of their lives, crimson. It's the unsuccessful ones who are sold or abandoned that deserve a good turn. Liz Jones is doing them no favours.

I warm to CB.. though I only know her via her TV work..never met her or read much by or about her. She may be an awful person but nothing I have gleaned about her from my limited experience suggests this!

LJ I did not know until I read a comment on this thread about her being the woman who moved to the country and upset the locals ... I read about that in my daily (not Mail!)

I have never read anything by her. I agree that cruelty to animals should not be condoned but if I had a newspaper column cruelty to animals might not be my priority causenor would slagging of other women in such a 'bitchy' way. If CB does condone excessive use of the whip in horse racing then write about that!

LJs style of writing (if the OP article is typical) is cheap and shallow.

Darn it; another one that hasn't worked.

retrainingdesertsea.com/ not sure if this link will work but this is a blog I follow about a racehorse favourite of mine. Many owners and trainers put a lot of effort into ensuring their horses have a long and happy retirement. Dessie is having the time of his life!

I've always had a problem with folks who feel they have sort of divine right to rant about anyone in a highly personal way and somehow justify it by saying 'Oh but I'm only being honest'. If someone has a good job and makes a complete horlicks of it and gets away with it, then some amount of public criticism, derision even lampooning is fair game. However, just blasting out on a personal level is mere attention seeking and says far more about the person who does the ranting than the rantee.
Oh and P.S. I think Clare Balding is splendid and has probably got the backbone, class and good manners to rise above it all anyway.

Sel - I have frequently said that I read the Mail on line because I find it amusing. I couldn't buy it even if I wanted to, as no English newspapers are stocked in any of the surrounding villages. I certainly wouldn't pay them any of my hard-earned cash!
I don't understand your remark about immunity - from what?

Snap, gracesmum I think we posted at the same time.

We've talked about rescued greyhounds on here and the loving pets they can become in the right environment. Not that easy for racehorses and it's a shame that someone like Liz Jones thinks that a good way of raising awareness of the need to retrain and re-home horses is to heap insults and vitriolic comments on members of the racing industry. She could do the horses a real favour and make herself a likeable role model but then she'd have to forfeit her DM salary.

Racehorses are treated a h**l of a lot better than racing greyhounds. I still don't see the connection between any pretensions of animal-loving and the hatchet job on Balding. You don't have to be a bunny hugger to care about animal welfare.

They were sold, as I said a commodity of business. Actually, sold to Arab stables. Not proud of it, just saying what the business is.

i buy one newspaper a week " mail on sunday" it covers all that is bad in the world, and liz jones ! i must admit enjoying reading it and look forward to lizs column.i wonder some weeks how she is allowed to write what she does, and yet at other times i applaud her for being forthright and brutally honest, and at times her points are valid! so i have to admit i secretly like her " cringe " journalism x

Sel What happened to your horses once they were no longer in training?

As I said before I had racehorses in training. And yes, the health and stamina of the horses is paramount, they need to win - but there are lots, most, that don't make the grade and at the end of the day, the grade is all. The horses are a mere commodity to make money. They are beautiful, trusting animals - not sure they were consulted on their job description. So I do have an issue when I now watch racing because I know the inside as an owner and horse lover.

Sel I am quite happy to confess I'm a Daily Mail online reader. I'm not seeking immunity but I can't buy one because we live miles away from a shop or garage.

I also know a little bit about horse racing and of course it's an industry but one where the health and stamina of the animal is paramount. What is it exactly that you object to?

Said it end of last year , will say it again Clare HAS lost and is looking good .

Surprising what a few lbs can do . Memo to self stick with it Nonu .

Just clicked onto the link and thought what a gorgeous outfit - then read the bad dress label underneath. Oh dear!

Sel!