What do Samuel L. Jackson and Friedrich Nietzsche, the thinker from Saxony, have in common? Or Burt Reynolds and John Locke, the “Father of Liberalism”?
Not a lot, you would think, but Ayr Races on the first day of April was when Hollywood met high-brow. And it wasn’t an April Fool’s joke. With horses named after the two philosophers running, plus one called Smokey The Bandit (sic), and another with the same of Coach Carter, two diverse worlds collided when it was another day for Robb Residential at the races.
In the 3:30, Coach Carter (played by Jackson in the movie) beat Nietzsche into second place. Quite the image. But unfortunately, Smokey ran in last in his race, whilst John Locke fell in the 2:55. But aside from these slightly bizarre coincidences, there must also have been some Jungian Synchronicity in the air. John Locke – the man, not the equine chestnut beauty – developed the labour theory of property, part of the treatise that underpins the western concept of the homestead; and home ownership. And that that ownership is derived from the labour spent to facilitate the ownership and purchase of property. Locke saw such ownership as a natural right. At Robb Residential we agree, and we appreciate the hard work that is the foundation of being able to buy a home, or the love, dedication and care put into a beloved property for its sale – these have to be met with a quality, personalised and professional service.
Like the first race at Ayr, when the horses were off-and-running at 2.15, the Team at Robb Residential have had a great start to the year – in Q1 we’ve seen, on average, properties selling for 20% above the offers over asking price. Why not back Robb Residential to sell your property?
So, again, it was time to let our hair down – or wear it up – and enjoy a team day at the races. The weather was excellent and a good time was had by all. Refreshed, suitably, it was a great way to recharge before returning to the office, ready as ever to provide all our clients with our great Robb Residential service, be it for buyers, sellers, landlords or tenants.
That John Locke was a chestnut brings to mind perhaps the most famous chestnut of all, Secretariat. The legendary American horse was blessed with a heart roughly 2.5 times the size of an average thoroughbred. Some of you might have seen the 2010 Disney film – Secretariat – starring Diane Lane and John Malkovich. Some may have read the late William Nack classics, the Sports Illustrated essay, Pure Heart, or his book, Secretariat : The Making of a Champion. From that book, we’ll finish with a poem that captures the legendary horse, and the grace and beauty of these magnificent racing creatures:-
Weave for the mighty chestnut
A tributary crown
Of autumn leaves, the brightest then
When autumn leaves are brown
Hang up his bridle on the wall,
His saddle on the tree,
Till time shall bring some racing king
Worthy to wear as he!
– William Nack, Secretariat : The Making of a Champion
Robb Residential are an Estate Agent based in Glasgow who deal in a range of unique and beautiful properties in the middle-to-prime market in Scotland. For more information, please contact us, email or call on 0141 225 3880.
Note: statistics, percentages and references are correct at the time of writing.