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Point Blank: Harry Cobden Has Sold His Soul to Wear the Green and Gold

But has he really just sold his soul now?

I reckon anyone who decides to become a jockey is signing a pact with the devil and Cobden sold his soul when he decided to become a jockey.

He stops enough of the Nicholls horses readily enough, in my opinion.

I can't think of a single jockey ever who, in my opinion, didn't stop one as and when required by the season-long plan for the horse.
 
pawras said:
in the private sector job market of any profession you won't find many that aren't a ho' for the coin when it comes to the crunch, no matter what they've tried to claim before hand
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I'm certainly not arguing anything about the finances. He's probably going to earn two million a year for the retainer
 
I’ve been wondering recently how much of PN’s success was down to the people around him. Eg Dan was his assistant trainer at the height of his success ( and was possibly responsible for his involvement with some of his high profile owners?). His ex wife (or wives) seemed to be very experienced horsewomen. He has always been quick to drop jockeys when they’ve suffered bad injuries, apart from Ruby who was also part of the successful years. Then again most successful stables are probably the result of a group of people all coming together at the right time. And he worked very hard for those successful years.
 
Slim said:
I'm certainly not arguing anything about the finances. He's probably going to earn two million a year for the retainer
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I don't blame him in the slightest for choosing the work route which is best for him, I've never had any qualms about doing that personally. When you've been employed to do work for someone , you're a resource to get xyz done and increase the bottom line like the rest of the equipment utilised for the task, in his case the horse and tack.
If someone works in the private sector and thinks otherwise why not tell us what father christmas brought you.
I've seen those like that and then not understand when they get dropped like a bag of sh&t when it's viewed better for the bottom line to do so than not.
I'm not saying that situation is good, bad or indifferent, just that it's the hard reality.
 
pawras said:
I don't blame him in the slightest for choosing the work route which is best for him, I've never had any qualms about doing that personally. When you've been employed to do work for someone , you're a resource to get xyz done and increase the bottom line like the rest of the equipment utilised for the task, in his case the horse and tack.
If someone works in the private sector and thinks otherwise why not tell us what father christmas brought you.
I've seen those like that and then not understand when they get dropped like a bag of sh&t when it's viewed better for the bottom line to do so than not.
I'm not saying that situation is good, bad or indifferent, just that it's the hard reality.
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I stopped reading after three sentences. You're critiquing an argument I've not made.
 
Slim said:
I stopped reading after three sentences. You're critiquing an argument I've not made.
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I guess I was explaining why I don't blame him for taking the money while he can cos work can go sideways in a heartbeat
 
What age is Harry now ?
How long will JP be around to keep such a stable of horses and jockeys going ?
Methinks this will be his last "big bucks "retained rider.
There was an interesting quote from Barry Geraghty's autobiography where it said "it took Barry a while to get used to the requirement of settling JP's horses off the pace, not like when he rode for Nicky" or words to that effect.
Harry struck me as a possible successor to Paul at Closutton; this may be the first step.
I base this on the amount of rides WPM has given him and the length of time he has spent as Ditcheat first jockey; only Ruby has spent longer when he shared Nicholls and WPM duties.
Discuss!
 
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New owner WA McLsworth this evening registered his colours (Gold And Green - purposely designed to both daze and confuse) and announced his intention to lure Cobden away from his new contract at the death with an increased offer and a bonus of as much rabbit stew daily as Cobden can eat in one sitting without increasing his minimum riding weight.
 
With the amount JP has in Willies yard, makes a lot more sense Cobden riding as many of Willies as he has and being in Ireland Sundays recently.

Interesting to see where he rides on Saturdays. A nice Willie novice in Ireland or sticking one out the back of the tele at Newbury.

Or does Paul Townend get the JP rides in Willies yard now, much like the Munir horses?
 
edgt said:
What age is Harry now ?
How long will JP be around to keep such a stable of horses and jockeys going ?
Methinks this will be his last "big bucks "retained rider.
There was an interesting quote from Barry Geraghty's autobiography where it said "it took Barry a while to get used to the requirement of settling JP's horses off the pace, not like when he rode for Nicky" or words to that effect.
Harry struck me as a possible successor to Paul at Closutton; this may be the first step.
I base this on the amount of rides WPM has given him and the length of time he has spent as Ditcheat first jockey; only Ruby has spent longer when he shared Nicholls and WPM duties.
Discuss!
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Harry replacing Townend. That's a kazbillion to one.
 
Would Willie have lost his shit with Mark Walsh? Poor rides on (or what he may see) on Maj and Fact To File?
And he’s told JP?

Shame, I like Mark Walsh. He always landed the touches on the ones he was meant to.
 
Double J said:
Would Willie have lost his shit with Mark Walsh? Poor rides on (or what he may see) on Maj and Fact To File?
And he’s told JP?

Shame, I like Mark Walsh. He always landed the touches on the ones he was meant to.
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No chance it was Mullins who got Walsh sacked.
 
mellows45 said:
No chance it was Mullins who got Walsh sacked.
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If Townend still isn’t allowed first pick when it comes to JPs in the yard, he could’ve ‘suggested’ Cobden If unhappy.

He also must rate Cobden somewhat as he’s the go to man when one of his jock’s cant come here.
 
Cracking read, as stated, IMO - Slim uses words like weapons.

But, 20 posts in, I'm catching up in an idle moment and thinking "why?"

Not that social media is any better in instances like this.

People just like to gossip and speculate for gossip and speculation's sake.

Bloke with money offers to give a bit of it to new bloke to ride for him.

Where's the actual angle to have more good-value bets here?

Third parties putting money in each other's pockets is of limited interest to me as neither are putting money in the pocket that matters most: MINE.

As a punter, even making this posting isn't an efficient use of my time - I ought to be analysing races instead.

"If you're not interested, **** off and let those who are debate it without ****ing all over their free choice over their use of their time, Davies!"

Fair comment - I'll fetch me coat.

Happy Tuesday everyone!
 
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Not everyone wants to be a "JP," reet.

Maybe those who seem endlessly fascinated by him harbour that aspiration - and that would explain why he's discussed so much - but the world actually contains plenty of people (and not necessarily wealthy people) who honestly wouldn't want to swap lives or bank accounts with him.

They're not part of any "we," because they don't want to be like him, consequently there's nothing they can learn from him.

Everyone's different.
 

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