Oscar is the phonetic word for O in the NATO Alphabet.  I suppose what most people think of first is the Oscars – the awards from the Academy of Motion Pictures.  I bought a replica of the statuette on my visit to Hollywood and awarded it to a friend of mine – a stage actor, so not qualifying for the Oscars themselves, but he still appreciated it!

I know a couple of O for Oscars, both very nice people.  It also seems to be a popular name for a horse, specifically racehorses.  If you were here for my C for Charlie post, I mentioned a racehorse there as well.  This time round I recommend following Oscar Whisky – a very nice steeplechaser trained by Nicky Henderson near Lambourn, Berkshire, and owned by the owner of Ffos Llas racecourse in Wales.

Oscar Whisky with owner Dai Walters and trainer Nicky Henderson

Oscar Whisky was a smart hurdler and took to jumping the steeplechase fences this season, winning the prestigious Scilly Isles Novices Chase in January despite the amount of rain, which made racing this winter very difficult.  Unfortunately he fell at the first fence in his big race at the Cheltenham Festival in March, but I look forward to seeing him again next autumn.

O is for Oscar
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13 thoughts on “O is for Oscar

  • 17 April, 2014 at 7:58 am
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    I am enjoying this romp through the NATO phonetic alphabet. Already thinking about next year…

  • 17 April, 2014 at 1:22 pm
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    You couldn’t have picked a better photo – I love horses. My daughter competed in hunter/jumper for a number of years, so I now how much work is involved in their care, This Oscar is a beauty..Have you ever read any of Dick Francis’ early books? – lots about steeplechase riding, riders and horses. I was in love!

    • 17 April, 2014 at 1:30 pm
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      I still have ‘about’ 25 of the first of his books – I don’t know how many he ended up writing. The tradition was continued by John Francome and a couple of others, although I haven’t read more than one of theirs. John Welcome was another excellent racing writer of the DF era. I’m mildly embarrassed to confess I’ve been a fan of Nicky Henderson since he was an amateur rider (in our teens) 🙂

      • 17 April, 2014 at 1:45 pm
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        I’ve never seen a steeplechase in person but hold my breath when I see them on TV, always worried for the horses!

        • 17 April, 2014 at 8:53 pm
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          Yes, I worry about the horses, but then everything we do with horses is fraught with danger – especially riding on the roads.

          • 17 April, 2014 at 9:22 pm
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            I love to ride, but have a huge horse dander allergy so I usually am doped up. I thought how cold of me not to worry about the rider in the steeplechase, but then, they choose to ride. The horse gets no vote.

  • 17 April, 2014 at 3:00 pm
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    Of course my mind goes straight to the Oscars:) I also think of Oscar Madison. I actually love that name as it is just a fun name. That is great that you gave your friend a Oscar:)

  • 17 April, 2014 at 11:45 pm
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    I like learning about the Nato alphabet. Thanks for sharing

  • 18 April, 2014 at 1:08 am
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    I’ll remember to peek in tomorrow for the bench 🙂

    Oscar will always be Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street, LOL, when I hear the name 🙂

    betty

    • 18 April, 2014 at 9:55 am
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      I missed out on Sesame Street, but was a huge fan of the Muppets. Still am, really 😀

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