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Jocking (yes, jocking…) off was famously something Lester Piggott had no qualms over. But, in the light of Kirby’s being replaced on John Leeper with Dettori what do we think of the practise?
If they had any doubts about Kirby’s suitability should they have waited until they knew who was available? Presumably Kirby would have been in a position where his ability to take any other ride in the event of John Leeper suffering an injury was compromised. Once they had gone public on who was to ride should they then have stuck with their man?
Or is it a case of what may be connections only chance in a lifetime to win the race and they need what they consider every little inch of help. Imagine a Kirby positional error and then being beat a short head? But might Frankie go the same way? Is it simply playing the percentages with who they perceive to be the man most likely to maximise the horse’s chance?
Good to see Kirby will ride in the race on Adayar but how he must have been dreaming and how those dreams must have been dealt a crushing blow.
My own view is that the jockeys know the game, they know how it is played so, bitterly disappointing as it must have been for the jockey, it is one of the things that can happen. In connection’s position it’d have been a hard call to ignore Dettori’s availability given his big race experience. Not very savoury though.
“My own view is that the jockeys know the game, they know how it is played so, bitterly disappointing as it must have been for the jockey, it is one of the things that can happen.”
That is my view as well. It is never going to change. Only last year Tom Marquand was jocked off English King in favour of Dettori, who then gave the horse a poor ride!
I don’t like it, and I wouldn’t do it. But I’m too principled and loyal to be one of lifes ruthless winners, thats for certain. Depends on your priorities in life I would suggest.
BUY THE SUN
I don’t like it, especially when the jockey booking has already been announced, but these things happen.
When Kirby was originally linked with the John Leeper ride I went back and looked at Snow Fairy race record and noted that she’d been ridden a lot more frequently by Dettori and Ryan Moore than Kirby, but figured there were pretty obvious reasons why those two wouldn’t be available. So in that sense I can understand why the owner wanted to switch when she heard Frankie might be free after all. But it does leave a bit of a sour taste, for all it’s legal to do.
Glad to hear that Kirby still has a ride in the race, but now it’s Oisin Murphy whose left standing in the musical chairs round.
It was part of the deal with Kirby that Dettori would have the ride if he became available.
Its sport these things happen especially in the big events where the money talks
Personally think Kirby is underrated myself.. Looks a bit awkward in his style of jockeyship but does get a tune out of his mounts more often that notGaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
It’s not inconceivable that Kirby & Adayar could end up finishing ahead of John Leeper. I really fear the latter might ‘do a Telecaster’ (who also went into the Derby after three runs / two wins at around 5/1). But I hope I’m wrong.
That’s life I’m afraid.
In my 30 odd years of working as a contract engineer there were many times that I was promised a job that at the last minute was given to another.
I learned to ignore promises and took the attitude that you have not got the job until you have got your bum in the seat.
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I crawled on six crooked highwaysJohn Berry I remember saying on the Sunday forum on atr that jockeys make very little difference to a horses chance indeed a jockey who knows the horse well is far more likely to give it its optimum chance of winning. Never got the notion of booking Dettori when so many good jocks out there. Loyalty is indeed a rarity today.
I’d agree that jockeys make little or no difference to the rating / ability a horse is capable of. However, some jockeys are more consistent than others, making fewer errors – particularly in big races – and therefore a horse’s chance is improved.
Value Is EverythingAlways find it hugely unfortunate when riders are jocked off and it generally doesn’t come off anyway. Tom Marquand being jocked off last year was ridiculous and it was karma when he was second with Frankie behind. How are young jocks going to become top jocks if they don’t get the chance. Too many are flavour of the month and are then forgotten. Loyalty is a rare thing these days and shadwell seem a great example to others with first Richard hills and now Jim Crowley.Its a cut throat business but leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. Fortunately I don’t think it will affect the big races but galling nevertheless.
Hardly comparable CAS. Why the massive demand for Dettori in the Derby anyway? Anyone in the weighing room would have won on Authorized or Golden Horn. He is hardly Piggott.
BUY THE SUN
Personally think Kirby is underrated myself.. Looks a bit awkward in his style of jockeyship but does get a tune out of his mounts more often that not
Word perfect
Pleased for KirbyGaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Over the moon for Kirby. He seems like a lot of riders perfectable capable of winning big races. Feel for Murphy. These constant change of jockeys is not a good look for racing but I don’t know how we stop it. Loads of jockeys are winning group ones. No need for jockeying off at all imho. Kirby owes the lads as had they run even 3 in the race he would have been on John Leeper and Murphy on the winner. Amazing how the hand of fate works.
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