John Oxx
- Thread starter HawkWing
- Start date
It is sad news.
What a great heyday he had. It didn't come overnight; even though he took over from his father who had been a classic winning trainer. He brought the stable to a new level but he had to build towards it. With Michael Stoute and Luca Cumani training for the Aga Khan as well as at least two trainers in France, John Oxx would not have been getting first pick of the crop, or anything near it. He had to work his way into getting his hands on some of the Aga's better horses.
But when his chances came he took them. He always worked with best jockeys around. Pat Eddery and Cash Asmussen rode many winners for him when they weren't needed for the Ballydoyle horses. There was Johnny Murtagh and Mick Kinane and for a while Fran Berry too. With their input his handling of Ridgewood Pearl, Sinndar and above all Sea The Stars could not have been bettered.
Sadly it has been all downhill since the glory of Sea The Stars. It seemed a very harsh and disloyal act when the Aga Khan horses were removed from him, and later the Tsui horses too, but for whatever reason the stable has been unable to recover from the blow. His way of working was developed around working with quality, and I guess trying to knock out winners in low grade handicaps and nurseries was not going to be for him.
What a great heyday he had. It didn't come overnight; even though he took over from his father who had been a classic winning trainer. He brought the stable to a new level but he had to build towards it. With Michael Stoute and Luca Cumani training for the Aga Khan as well as at least two trainers in France, John Oxx would not have been getting first pick of the crop, or anything near it. He had to work his way into getting his hands on some of the Aga's better horses.
But when his chances came he took them. He always worked with best jockeys around. Pat Eddery and Cash Asmussen rode many winners for him when they weren't needed for the Ballydoyle horses. There was Johnny Murtagh and Mick Kinane and for a while Fran Berry too. With their input his handling of Ridgewood Pearl, Sinndar and above all Sea The Stars could not have been bettered.
Sadly it has been all downhill since the glory of Sea The Stars. It seemed a very harsh and disloyal act when the Aga Khan horses were removed from him, and later the Tsui horses too, but for whatever reason the stable has been unable to recover from the blow. His way of working was developed around working with quality, and I guess trying to knock out winners in low grade handicaps and nurseries was not going to be for him.
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edgt
Senior Jockey
His stable head lad of years retired about ten years ago and was the glue that kept the stable together it seems.
John was always thoughtful, always honest.
I remember years ago at a seminar a question was posed about jockeys' merits and abilities.
Most of the panel gave vague answers but John explained how Pat Eddery changed his opinion on jockeys forever; their strike rate together the first year was in excess of 40% thogh Pat never rode work for him.
He then .as Grey said retained Cash, brought Ron Quinton from Australia and gave Johnny Murtagh every assistance through his wild period.
For that alone he deserves great praise and appreciation as Johnny would have been lost to racing had any other trainer retained him.
Losing the Aga Khan and the Tsui family did not help either in recent years.
Wishing him all the best whatever he does.
John was always thoughtful, always honest.
I remember years ago at a seminar a question was posed about jockeys' merits and abilities.
Most of the panel gave vague answers but John explained how Pat Eddery changed his opinion on jockeys forever; their strike rate together the first year was in excess of 40% thogh Pat never rode work for him.
He then .as Grey said retained Cash, brought Ron Quinton from Australia and gave Johnny Murtagh every assistance through his wild period.
For that alone he deserves great praise and appreciation as Johnny would have been lost to racing had any other trainer retained him.
Losing the Aga Khan and the Tsui family did not help either in recent years.
Wishing him all the best whatever he does.
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Perpetual
Senior Jockey
Sea the Stars was my last flat love affair. Travelled over to Leopardstown for his Irish Champion win and and a print of his Arc success is sitting just above my head as I type this… Beautifully handled by his trainer who always came across as a proper gent and will always be one of my fondest memories. Best of luck John