“Strong” Jockeys

Pat Eddery was no stranger to bouncing up and down.Soumillion can look fairly agricultural at times -just watched one of my favourite ever flat races -Thunder Snow winning his second Dubai World Cup -least stylish ride ever from Soumi but it was certainly effective for a horse who had virtually refused to race in Kentucky.I actually had the second horse backed each way that day at 66/1.Probably the only time in my life where I was instantly obsessed by a winner who had beaten my big priced outsider in a photo finish.
 
I am currently appalled by the state of riding in a finish, banging all over the loins especially within the NH sphere. I really cannot imagine it does the horse any good whatsoever. And its interesting to see that the incidence of "kissing spines" within the racehorse population has increased massively recently. Maybe this is due to the increased medical knowledge but I do wonder.
Added in that I don't think it can help a horse keep its balance easily. It seems to happen less on the Flat but one or two are starting to do it.
 
All of the above must surely have an effect on the horse, be it positive or negative, but the thing that has always fascinated me is, what difference does weight in the saddle as opposed to being carried by a heavier jockey?. Which is the most advantageous....
 
LUKE said:
Pat Eddery was no stranger to bouncing up and down.Soumillion can look fairly agricultural at times -just watched one of my favourite ever flat races -Thunder Snow winning his second Dubai World Cup -least stylish ride ever from Soumi but it was certainly effective for a horse who had virtually refused to race in Kentucky.I actually had the second horse backed each way that day at 66/1.Probably the only time in my life where I was instantly obsessed by a winner who had beaten my big priced outsider in a photo finish.
Click to expand...
Soumi bet daylights out of him that day
 
Pat Eddery and Keiren Fallon come to mind on the flat but I am guessing...no need to guess over the jumps Chris Grant was the strongest I ever saw..the original Man of Steel
 
Witchita Lineman beats Maljimar for AP: as strong as you get. I backed Maljimar that day. Couldn't believe it but just had to hand it to AP for the magical, forceful ride he gave WL: genius allied to force.

Mind you, he hit the horse eight times after the last, I counted.
 
Barry Geraghty had power in his legs few jockeys could match.
He gave horse their head, riding with a loose rein and race after race his mounts came to the fore with no apparent effort from the jockey but ran like they were galloping loose.
Davy Russell always thought Paul Carberry's ride on Monbeg Dude at Chepstow the best he ever saw.
" Paul had the horse squezz so tight there was only ever going to be one result; most lads wouldn't be able to lead the horse up, let alone win a Welsh National "
 
Not sure if it this is relevant to a jockey's strength but I always thought Declan Murphy had so much artistry with his hands and made a horse run that bit better for him without having to lift his stick, though his brother Eamon was more of a whip user who would throw the kitchen sink at a horse to get it over the line.
 
Back
Top