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Does anyone agree with me that O’Regans ‘Unseated Rider’ last night was a shocker. I accept that its difficult to prove someone’s jumped off but seeing something like that makes the integrity of our sport laughable.
I’d have to say that I don’t, Buckenut. The camera angle at that flight, like so many others at Perth, is not especially conducive to proving or disproving anything, but it seemed like O’Regan was almost on top of the flight before disappearing past the horse’s left-hand side, taking a fair amount of rein with him initally.
From a mere issue of self-preservation, I wouldn’t have thought that being right at the front of a field of hurdlers – and in the centre of the course rather than down either side of it in relative isolation – rates among the most sensible of places to step off a horse if he was going to do so.
I was more preoccupied with what was happening with the remaining runners thereafter, so I’ll have to look at a replay to judge whether there was any tack failure that may have precipitated the unseating.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
Fair enough gc. I saw it a few times last night and I thought he was wider on the track and so less runners behind . However its fair to say the tv angles dont help but it looked bad.
Buckets
He Jumped – Just like our friends in the ‘Racing Journalist’s Union’ – to defend him.
He had no chance, I’ve seen it many times before, the jockeys urging his mount over the hurdle when it both props and jinks to the right.
Worst unseat I’ve seen without it being deliberate was Sean Fox.just had a look at race there it’s hard to see what happend (crap camera) but it was very soft unseating
He Jumped – Just like our friends in the ‘Racing Journalist’s Union’ – to defend him.
What an utterly ridiculous thing to say on both counts; it’s this kind of rubbish which makes so many long standing, respectful and insightful posters think twice about visiting TRF these days. The notion that Jeremy is some sort of apologist for bent jockeys is utterly laughable and smacks more than a little of jealousy and paranoia.
The original question was respectfully put and respectfully answered ~ that’s what we’re meant to be about. My view is that this is most likely a genuine unseat, but that the angle of the camera and the wing don’t show why the incident happened; I’d imagine Artless has jinked slightly both ways and Denis O’Regan has become unbalanced as a result ~ he is essentially unseated by the time the flight is reached. Only people who regularly ride have an insight into how such incidents can happen both at home and on the course. Horses aren’t mountain bikes!
Can I also point out two things that should also be considered; firstly the belief that things considered suspicious are never looked at by the authorities is rubbish ~ there are several inquiries every day that the public are oblivious to. Ever been racing and heard the announcement "Would trainer X or his representative please report to the stewards room"? It’s not because the’ve dropped their wallets and the Stewards are operating a lost and found bureau. Secondly, we should remember that jump jockeys have a perilous existence and we should at least give the benefit of the doubt in the first instance ~ it’s insulting to do otherwise. That doesn’t mean that questions shouldn’t be asked, but accusations like Pompete’s should be derided.
The mare who won in a hack canter had failed to show a modicum of form in Ireland, and yet wins like a decent and progressive type, Carberry doing the steering.
I wonder if the prevailing surface made the difference, to be honest. Last night was the first time Hi Density had encountered good to firm going in her career, and her sole try on good was on her debut at Limerick exactly a year ago, when running as if still in need of time and experience.
Unproven on quick ground rather than unable to act on it, I’d say, and there will be plenty more animals falling into the same category popping up equally legitimately during the coming months, granted a dry summer.
Jeremy
(graysonscolumn)Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
I have already written to the BHA asking for an explanation why an equiry was not held. In my email I stated I had no doubt connections would point to the better ground for the improved performance. However, considering they booked Paul Carberry (highly unusual booking for this stable) they obviously had more than a suspicion the mare would find remarkable improvement.
…in which case I would expect the BHA or its Earthly representative to point out that;
– there was no jumps action Ireland last night to serve as an alternative engagement for Carberry,
– even if there was, where Carberry or his agent decide he is riding on any given day is their business,
– he already had three rides for Gordon Elliott elsewhere on the Perth card, but was free to pick up the ride for Ado McGuinness in a race in which Elliott was not represented.
With the best will in the world, too much about this race is entirely explicable for cries of foul play to carry any weight.
Jeremy
(graysonscolumn)Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
He Jumped – Just like our friends in the ‘Racing Journalist’s Union’ – to defend him.
What an utterly ridiculous thing to say on both counts; it’s this kind of rubbish which makes so many long standing, respectful and insightful posters think twice about visiting TRF these days. The notion that Jeremy is some sort of apologist for bent jockeys is utterly laughable and smacks more than a little of jealousy and paranoia.
Don’t worry, Rory, he can’t have meant me. I’m very rarely accused of journalism these days.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
Hang on a moment – I think some people are getting confised with who said what here.
Not at all – I was addressing all accusations raised, with whosoever and from wheresoever they originated.
I am focusing largely on the improved run of the winner – you say its down to the ground.
I posited it as A Plausible Explanation.
I am pointing out that the yard is not known for booking one of the best jockeys in Ireland, so the act of booking him suggested they expected a big improvement in form. Which would also suggest, to me, they had not necessarily run the horse to her merits in previous contests at home. Otherwise why was Carberry not booked for her previous runs – as is evident McGuiness has never put a top jockey on her before.
Other retainers? Schooling to do elsewhere? Many of Hi Density’s previous runs have been in far bigger fields than last night’s contest, and at busier times of the jumps season than this. The ready availability of better jockeys granted both of those details is far from guaranteed.
If irregular betting patterns were observed then I am sure the relevant bodies will be informed and a full investigation carried out.
So be it. But let any such investigation be precipitated by something a bit more concrete, such as these irregular patterns, than by minor pockets of web forum conjecture and mummery.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
I have already written to the BHA asking for an explanation why an equiry was not held. In my email I stated I had no doubt connections would point to the better ground for the improved performance. However, considering they booked Paul Carberry (highly unusual booking for this stable) they obviously had more than a suspicion the mare would find remarkable improvement.
…in which case I would expect the BHA or its Earthly representative to point out that;
– there was no jumps action Ireland last night to serve as an alternative engagement for Carberry,
– even if there was, where Carberry or his agent decide he is riding on any given day is their business,
– he already had three rides for Gordon Elliott elsewhere on the Perth card, but was free to pick up the ride for Ado McGuinness in a race in which Elliott was not represented.
With the best will in the world, too much about this race is entirely explicable for cries of foul play to carry any weight.
Jeremy
(graysonscolumn)Jeremy,
In fairness to MP, it must be foul play, as she did not back the winner and I am quite surprised she did not start the thread, double whammy…
Hey MP,
Did you mean Paul Carberry when you said…
"I am pointing out that the yard is not known for booking one of the best jockeys in Ireland,"
JohnJ.
MP good to see you referring to Carberry as one of the best jockeys in Ireland. A while back you were doing your usual jockey bashing on him and referring to how he was sacked from one of the best jobs in English racing. Retainer to Ogden.
You make it up as you go along to suit whatever you are writing about which is usually utter tosh.
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