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Isn’t it getting a little bit ridiculous for this jockey to hold amateur status?
Who genuinely believes he is not making a highly lucrative living out of the game, or won’t make serious money out of winning the Grand National?
Cricket abolished the distinction between Gentlemen and Players in the 1960s. Racing should do the same. It is archaic.
Or if we must retain amateur races, there should be a limit on how many rides a jockey has each year. Or they lose their amateur status once they have ridden a certain number of winners in open company.
Mullins isn’t an amateur and it is silly and dishonest for racing to pretend otherwise.
Ban “amateurs” from competing in any race above class 4. That’ll put a stop to the nonsense.
Oh well, back to the day job for Patrick on Monday, whatever that day job is. I’m sure it’s nothing to do with riding horses…
Not sure what he does or doesn’t make out of riding but he’s clearly a cog in what must surely be a very lucrative family racing business so maybe can afford not to be actually paid for the riding bit of it.
Agree though that ‘amateur’ status is a bit archaic in this day and age. Not sure there is anything to be gained from persisting with the system and doubt racing would lose anything if it made the decision tomorrow that ‘amateurs’ were a thing of the past. You can frame races for jockeys who are conditionals, etc, no need for amateur status in this day and age.
You’d probably more or less kill off meaningful female jockey participation in NH races at a stroke, though. Amateur status is a route in for women.
Headline in the “Liverpool Echo”:
“Why Grand National winning jockey Patrick Mullins won’t get any prize money despite historic win”.
Jockeys get ‘tipped’ in P2P’s, so I wouldn’t have any issue with Patrick Mullins getting fifty quid or so for expenses. :)
With regard to him being an amateur, he’s a professional riding under the umbrella of being an amateur.
Somebody mentioned a limit on rides (or rides per season under rules) or winners and that would seem a sensible and fair rule to implement.
I see everyone’s favourite plucky amateur won a race at Chester today against some real amateurs.
I see “Mr” Patrick Mullins is riding one for Gordon Elliott in the last race at Fairyhouse today. Has he ever ridden for him before?
Came third. And Elliott’s second string one with Norman Williamson’s son on won it in a three way go with the third string second. Work that one out.
I see the Corinthian Amateur rode his 900th winner yesterday. I assume that is 900 under Rules and not including Point to Point winners.
Not bad for an amateur.
Patrick Mullins is a good rider and he speaks well about the sport. But the pretence he is an “amateur” is becoming more ridiculous by the day.
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