Anthropomorphism: Assigning human characteristics to an animal.
It happens a lot when popular racehorses die or retire.
Punters who make money, or fans who just enjoyed the style of a particular beast, can often take to social media to mourn a horse’s passing or bemoan its retirement.
Strangely, those who work most closely with horses rarely express such feeling. Ruby Walsh attracted the ire of animal lovers everywhere when he reacted three years ago to the death of Our Conor.
“Horses are horses,” he said after the talented hurdler was put down at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival. “You can replace a horse. It’s sad, but horses are animals, outside your back door. Humans are humans, they are inside your back door. You can replace a horse but you can’t replace a human being.”
On Wednesday it was announced that 2016 Gold Cup winner, Don Cossack, had been put out to pasture due to injury. For some, like former Mayo footballer Conor Mortimer, it was a sad day.
https://twitter.com/Conmort/status/819136033405202432
For others, like current Mayo footballer Aidan O’Shea, it was an invitation to rip the piss.
Did you know him well @Conmort ?? 😂😂 https://t.co/B4Vgsaw3lp
— Aidan O'Shea (@AIDOXI) January 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/Conmort/status/819217579600388097
Another intercounty star saw fit to take to Twitter also, Wexford hurler and talented musician Liam Óg McGovern sharing his Gold Cup song.
Happy retirement Mr Don Cossack😢…
One final blast of our 'Gold Cup Day' song for the day thats in it! #comeonthedon pic.twitter.com/Mm8iBAcGLN
— Liam Óg McGovern (@Mogster12) January 11, 2017
For those who need reminding, here is Don Cossack’s greatest moment.
BREAKING NEWS: Don Cossack, the 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, has been retired after suffering fresh setback. pic.twitter.com/9r5HbvwIBu
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 11, 2017
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