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Although they will continue to use him, he will no longer be the automatic first choice and they will use the best available. That includes Davy Russell !.
Does anyone know the background to this or have any views ?Don’t know the background but not surprised as I have always found him over rated. Would not be surprised to see jack Kennedy riding a lot more for them as I think he is very good.
Cooper is still rough around the edges but it does feel like a harsh decision, especially since he has had too many injuries in the last couple of years to do himself justice. He has a great deal of natural talent and could be an outstanding jockey if given the right faith and guidance.
If you take on such a young retained rider, you need to accept the mistakes and let them learn their lessons without living in fear. Paul Nicholls has rarely been a good example to other trainers with this sort of thing, but he really seems to have turned over a new leaf with Sam Twiston-Davies. STD has made a few howlers but Nicholls stuck by him without any public dressing downs or jocking him off.
I hope Tom George shows similar faith in Adrian Heskin. Last season was a mini breakthrough for the young rider in spite of a catalogue of howlers. I predict it’ll do wonders for his confidence now Heskin knows he has a trainer who will stand by him.
Word on the street is that Jack Kennedy was offered the Gigginstown job but politely turned it down. If true, that’s a remarkably mature decision, especially if big money was on the table. Despite a few big winners, the job was not a happy experience for Davy Russell and Brian Cooper. Kennedy will be best served by sticking with Big Gordy, picking and choosing the Gigginstown rides and taking outside opportunities whenever they fit.
How do retainers work?
How much of the “retainer” did Gigginstown need to pay when Cooper was on the sidelines?
If paying him when injured/unable to race, may be that had something to do with the decision.
Value Is EverythingWord on the street is that Jack Kennedy was offered the Gigginstown job but politely turned it down. If true, that’s a remarkably mature decision, especially if big money was on the table. Despite a few big winners, the job was not a happy experience for Davy Russell and Brian Cooper. Kennedy will be best served by sticking with Big Gordy, picking and choosing the Gigginstown rides and taking outside opportunities whenever they fit.
I can definitely see this. I think they jocked off Russell to retain Cooper before anyone else got there hands on him. Due to injuries this hasn’t quite worked out and have jocked him off to retain Kennedy before another owner/trainer retained him. They may have been a bit premature not thinking Kennedy would turn it down.
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