- This topic has 64 replies, 18 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 1 month ago by
.
- Posts
Ryan Moore has been hinted at as being used at the top jockey in main group 1 races, see Meydan, and like Rip Van Winkle in the Sussex Stakes. A stable of that size and scope should have a top class jockey at their disposal. Poor from Coolmore.
I think that the Ballydoyle operation have brought this situation on themselves to a certain degree and should have tried harder to keep Murtagh.
That said I do have a certain degree of sympathy for them as I think that there are a number of good jockeys around but very few very good / great ones. Before anyone bites my head off please let me explain further.
In my view Moore is streets ahead, but due to his present post with Mr Stoute and he being a family man, he is unlikely to be available on a regular basis, and certainly not as full time stable jockey.
It may be a case of once bitten twice shy with Fallon, who in my opinion is no longer as good as he was.
Soumillon would be a possibility, especially to be used in top French races, but I cannot see him being the stable jockey.
Manning and Smullen are good jockeys but I cannot see them leaving their posts. Hanagan is also very good but lacks experience in top class races.
All in all as there are no Edderys or Pigotts available to them, they may be in a bit of a pickle, and I cannot believe that an operation like theres will operate without a stable jockey.
Unless they import a top American jockey I can see them going back to Spencer.
- Total Posts 17716
It’s possible of course that the Coolmore operation has peaked and is in decline. It happens to every great racing power in the medium to long term (c.f. Godolphin, unlikely to re-establish their one time hegemony, for all sorts of reasons.)
One symptom of the decline would be their inability to attract a really top jockey away from England or France. The only options for permanence seem to be Spencer and Fallon, the former of whom has already been weighed in the Coolmore balance and found wanting, whilst the latter (whether or not he’s still at his best) only has a limited number of miles left on the clock.
Moore wouldn’t go, neither would Soumillon or the ageing Peslier. They can’t rely on using Moore in England for the most prestigious races, and would be foolish to do so tactically because of his strong bond with the opposition. They won’t be able to use Soumillon or Christophe Lemaire much in France. Murtagh is not an option either, now. Hanigan is not experienced enough in Group 1 races. And it seems they dislike Richard Hughes.
In other words, Coolmore have boxed themselves into a corner. And once an organisation gets a reputation for bringing more grief than glory to their stable jockey, it needs to look to itself. Unless they have a fistful of classic victories this year, things are not looking as rosy for Aidan O’Brien as they did a couple of years ago.
If Aidan would stick to the training and let the jockeys do the riding he wold be better off.But he seems to be a compulsive sort of person who cannot let go of the rains.Top class jockeys must be allowed to be top class jockeys.I get tired of jockeys saying where the horse should go next and how he should be prepared. I think it is the ubiquitous camers that makes them think they are know- it- alls.Each wants to do the other’s job.Jockeys train and trainers want to control the ride.Not good.
And Aidan would do better looking after long-term jockey prospects than giving lots of rides to his son, I have to say. Family is important but so is profession.
Pinza you are saying like in the long run we all die! It’s about having an interested heir who follows up the process.The Aga Khan’s equine empire has been in existence for a long time.His daughter is now helping to carry the ball.At Coolmore both Magnier and Smith have sons who love the horses,so they may carry on the operation.Since a racing empire lives on money it will sooner or later run out of it.Coolmore depends on stud fees to exist.Most studfarms are subsidized by someone.
- Total Posts 17716
Pinza you are saying like in the long run we all die!
You bring in the interesting example of The Aga Khan. Even here we see peaks and troughs, with the first great peak occurring in the 1930’s, when the present Aga’s Grandfather dominated the field. His son Aly Khan had a much more chequered career (not least as an owner) and failed to maintain the quality and consistency of the stud operation – although of course he did own the great Petite Etoile.
The current Aga has restored the family fortunes, although at no point has he been quite the dominant force that Coolmore recently or Godolphin before them represented. For the Aga, as with Prince Khaled, quality and consistency have come before short-term dominance: and their quietly powerful, but not dominant, presence has been consistent as a result. But even they have had peaks and troughs.
The question is: will Coolmore/Ballydoyle have the same resilience? How sound is their own breeding model? And how good is their man management? These are two areas in which the Aga Khan and Prince Khaled have long excelled. Coolmore has yet to quite demonstrate either.
I can’t understand why they haven’t moved heaven and earth to get Fran Berry. I’m sure he’d jump at the opportunity given his current situation.
The Jockeys Coolmore have got involved with aren’t exactly shrinking violets.
Plenty of people have had issues with Murtagh through the years.
Fallon is all over the place as a Human Being
and
Spencer was useless when he was given the big rides.
Moore is none of the above…he doesn’t get involved in stupid things like the others. Either they give the job to Colm O D or consider taking on Fran Berry as stable Jockey.
They left themselves in a very tricky position now….They cant possibly be rely on Heff to ride in the big races as by his own admission he doesn’t want the job as stable jockey
Odd thing is jockey’s seem to flourish once leaving Coolmore. Murtagh has looked world class once more at the start of the season, and they may realise just how undervalued he was by Ballydoyle. A man for the big occasion and handles pressure well. Ryan Moore is probably the only person up there with him in terms of UK and Ireland jockeys. Massive boots to fill still.
Agree with some good posts here , Johhny is by far the best jock riding in Ireland , and thats says something , no disrespect to Fran or Pat Smullen, but he he way ahead
So what does Aidan do , well he has to swallow his pride and get Murtagh to ride whenever possible and try and juggle about with his present crew for domestic stuff
Coolmore do seem to make life difficult for themselves
Ricky
Pat Keane has his say…
http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/colu … 50161.html
Personally I’m a huge fan of Murtagh. Almost unheard of him to be in the wrong position in any big race. Ballydoyle’s loss imo.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.