Which attributes can be discernibly ascribed to the current generation of riders?

Bachelors Hall

Bachelors Hall

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Ten or fifteen years ago, I was quite up on my jockeys. I had a fair understanding of which jockeys had particular strengths. McCoy could ride the bollocks off the laziest mule. Carberry had balls of steel and could kid a dodgepot to lead right at the line. Johnson was able to kick a ponderous jumper at just the right moment to get it over the fence quickly and safely...

However, those three have now retired and as I have spent the past decade focussed on a particular area of the sport, I am not especially au fait with who is good at what these days. I spot a good ride when I see one, but I no longer watch enough racing to habitually pick up on which jockeys have definitive traits.

So a question for those with an eye for such things;- who is good at what?
 
I probably don't watch enough either so tend to check jockey stats to see how much the owner(s)/trainer appear to trust the jockey.

I still think Dettori is the best all-rounder [in this country] but am not sure I can fully trust him.

There is also clearly something going on behind the scenes when top jockeys are being caught out by drug testing. Who is creating the situation in which these riders are being caught?

I can't help thinking money is a corrupting factor therefore the chances are it is bookies and their associates who are behind it all.

Overall, though, I reckon there is a much-of-a-muchness about the level of jockeyship and the people who do have an eye for a good jockey are the ones who will do what they can to get the better jockeys on their triers.
 
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Perhaps I just haven't got an eye for such things, but I think they are all much of a muchness at the moment. A lot of good competence with the occasional flash of brilliance, but not much that sets anyone head and shoulders apart. That said, if you want your horse sling shot off the final bend then Dan's your man, if you want one perfectly balanced then Bryony's your girl - not that those particular attributes push them above the pack overall.

ps: there's more to be said on the flat side, but I assume we're talking jumps.
 
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I dont think any of us will agree on jockeys from what I read on here but if I had a jumper I'd like Sam TD on the gives it everything in a finish.i think Tom Scu is as good as any.
On the flat,as I've said before,if you want one stopped Danny is the man and if you have one plotted up then Danny is the man.

I think some go a bit overboard with their praise of some jockeys and their are some good jockeys who dont get the praise they deserve.
Harrison Shaw and Ray Dawson are 2.i also like Callum Shepherd.
Marco Ghiani till he got banned .hes got a wife and kid.you would think hed know better.
I think newmarket should train more sniffer dogs as there seems a big problem.
But these jockeys must be under so must pressure with the hours they work and travel.
I saw a piece where Paul Mullrennan went to somewhere like ayr then next day goodwood the musselburgh then goodwood.
That cant be good for anyone.
I was never a big fan of Ryan Moore especially in hcaps as if he couldnt win he gave up.
Whether or not hes been told of extra places he seems to be trying more.
Also his riding this year in the big races as been outstanding.
I'm now a fan.
 
Careful, Outsider... you'll be converting me next :lol:

Two jockeys I picked up on some time back are Jack Mitchell and Daniel Muscutt for their really strong strike rates for certain trainers. The fact that they're relatively under the radar doesn't do their mounts' odds any harm too.
 
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They are a lot fitter.
They have jockey coaches, dietitians etc so should be a leveller playing pitch for all.
weight control is still the biggest problem so that may be the source of the drug problem, as well as "modern lifestyle ".
I am too old to comment on such things.
 
All the jump jockeys are bang average and there is no serious talent coming through on either side of the Irish Sea. A glued together tenderly managed Davy Russell is still considered elite.
 
My biggest gripe these days is the tendency to bang down hard on the saddle during a finish in the vague idea that this helps the horse go faster. Does it? Really? For me it cannot be good for a horse to have a hefty weight crashing down on the loins every stride. And I do wonder if indeed it contributes to the latest topical injury “kissing spines”. Anyway whether it does or not, I cannot see the benefit.

There are some poor jockeys in a finish these days...predominantly in the NH sphere. It should be about cajoling and squeezing rather than brutalising a horse home. I loved watching Kieran Fallon as he used to gradually wind the horse up several furlongs out...it was a real art form. So often these days the first thing a jockey does is reach for his stick. And how much does that impact on a horse mentally? Certainly a two year old subjected to a hard time first run quite probably a lot.

Over jumps I like to see a jockey getting a horse into a comfortable rhythm....this is where I think Bryony excels. She understands her horse and ensures it is running within its capabilities. And consequently it should be able to jump more fluently because it’s happy and it has confidence in the rider on top.
 
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I've one requirement of a jockey - don't fall off.

In the 30 years I've been following racing, maybe only maybe a handful would fall into a bracket I'd consider "can sometimes make a difference".....and even then, it's only sometimes.

Much easier to spot poor jockeys than standouts these days, imo, and even those amongst the 'best' of them, can regularly ride howlers.
 
jinnyj said:
My biggest gripe these days is the tendency to bang down hard on the saddle during a finish in the vague idea that this helps the horse go faster. Does it? Really? For me it cannot be good for a horse to have a hefty weight crashing down on the loins every stride.
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Yes, it strikes me as totally counter-intuitive that a horse will respond positively to such treatment, and this from someone who has only had three or four horse-riding lessons.
 
I enjoy horseracing as a thing of beauty, full of grace and power that sets me a’tingle. Two things grate on me in, that banging down riding style and the manhandling of horses into the stalls.
 
My main rant is always the same.
Whipping a horse after its just ran 3m + and getting tired.
Jockeys not pulling up when they are miles behind.
 
Interested to see that Hendo is seriously supporting James Bowen for the title this season and waxes lyrical about him in the RP today. As a few of you may remember, I flagged James up after I interviewed him at Cothelstone Point to Point having been blown away by him on only his second day riding. He completely outclassed his opposition back then taking a hot Mixed Open with a maturity way beyond his years (he had turned 16 the week before and kicked off with a double).
 
No. He says he’s still going to play a part but it did make me wonder if Nico was going to step down...or maybe ultimately take over the reins there if he retires?
 
jinnyj said:
Interested to see that Hendo is seriously supporting James Bowen for the title this season and waxes lyrical about him in the RP today. As a few of you may remember, I flagged James up after I interviewed him at Cothelstone Point to Point having been blown away by him on only his second day riding. He completely outclassed his opposition back then taking a hot Mixed Open with a maturity way beyond his years (he had turned 16 the week before and kicked off with a double).
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Don't think the article says this season, he's been out injured for a fair while this season already.

Agree he's a top rider though.
 
Nice article on local lad Michael O'Sullivan in RP in the last day or two.
Hope his luck continues until he establishes himself.
No less than Irish Stamp sang his praises here a few years ago , so all the best to them both.
 
Reading thye post I assume BH was talking NH jockeys.

Davy Russell is still riding as well as ever and as cool as any jockey ever.

Nico is one of the best horsement since Fancome at presenting a horse at a fence and ordinary in a finish like francome was.
Not as good all round but a fine pilot by anyone standards.
He's being groomed to take over from Nicky when the time comes so no interest in being chanpion

Nicky reckons James Bowen is one of the best he has ever come across which is some recommendation.

Can't fault Paul Townend he has the same strike rate as Ruby had so he's obviously top class

Then there's that woman who rides that mare. As a judge of pace she is second to none and a better rider than 80% of the men out there.

Overall standards are high we just don't have one jockey like Ruby or McCoy to idolise but there's bundles of talent out there.

As for the flat I've been saying it for the last 2 years Buick is the best since Eddery and now he's streets ahead of anyone riding on the flat today.

International Austrailian girl Jamie Kah is unbelievably good. You will seldom see her beaten on a fav and she has plenty winners at odds as well.
horses just seem to run for her and she has explicit timing.
 
Reading thye post I assume BH was talking NH jockeys.

Davy Russell is still riding as well as ever and as cool as any jockey ever.

Nico is one of the best horsement since Fancome at presenting a horse at a fence and ordinary in a finish like francome was.
Not as good all round but a fine pilot by anyone standards.
He's being groomed to take over from Nicky when the time comes so no interest in being chanpion

Nicky reckons James Bowen is one of the best he has ever come across which is some recommendation.

Can't fault Paul Townend he has the same strike rate as Ruby had so he's obviously top class

Then there's that woman who rides that mare. As a judge of pace she is second to none and a better rider than 80% of the men out there.

Overall standards are high we just don't have one jockey like Ruby or McCoy to idolise but there's bundles of talent out there.

As for the flat I've been saying it for the last 2 years Buick is the best since Eddery and now he's streets ahead of anyone riding on the flat today.

International Austrailian girl Jamie Kah is unbelievably good. You will seldom see her beaten on a fav and she has plenty winners at odds as well.
horses just seem to run for her and she has explicit timing.

My Aussie pal a Solicitor who owns a few horses in Hong Kong and Australia told me on LINE last night all the lads have piled into a Mick Price horse called Visinari tomorrow at Flemmington
they don't mess around so don't expect a big price but Jamie Kah is booked to ride him and plus shes riding another 2 Mick Price horses The first timer of his has a chance in the first. The other don't touch
But Visanari is where their money has gone. Already 14K has been matched on Betfair at around evens on average,
 
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Tanlic said:
My Aussie pal a Solicitor who owns a few horses in Hong Kong and Australia told me on LINE last night all the lads have piled into a Mick Price horse called Visinari tomorrow at Flemmington
they don't mess around so don't expect a big price but Jamie Kah is booked to ride him and plus shes riding another 2 Mick Price horses The first timer of his has a chance in the first. The other don't touch
But Visanari is where their money has gone. Already 14K has been matched on Betfair at around evens on average,
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As expected Jamie did the business as did I and even moreso the lads in Aus who as I said earlier don't mess around. Litterly hundreds of thousands of $$$$ forced Visanari down from the best ever price of 11/8 to 1/2 fav. A hard puller she relaxed the grey enough to take it up a 300m out
timing it to perfection. Plent finishers but they were never going to get to her.jamie.jpg

BTW this was just a stepping stone to bigger things will win again next time all being well.
 
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