Richard Kingscote Q&A

[albrookes]

We are very pleased to announce that jockey Richard Kingscote has kindly agreed to answers your questions this week.
Richard had a highly successful apprenticeship riding for Roger Charlton and is now number one jockey at Tom Dascombe’s Manor House Stables. The team are looking forward to what promises to be another great season, so please post your questions in this thread to Richard.

[Nafsasp]

Richard,

What would be your ultimate dream as a flat race jockey, Champion Jockey, Riding a Derby winner, riding an Arc winner, or something else?

Of course I’d love to be champion jockey and win all the big races like the greats, but I’d also like to be known for being good at what I do and be well known for it.

My favourite horses - Red Rum, Spanish Steps, Proud Tarquin, Esban, Go-Pontinental, Barona, Charles Dickens, The Dikler, Astbury, Black Secret, Vulgan Town, Huperade, Well To Do, Crisp, Quintus, Argent, Colebridge, Pearl Of Montreal, Nereo, Sonny Somers, Tubs VI, Tartan Ace, Red Candle, L'Escargot, Bula, Beau Bob, Rouge Autumn, Rough Silk, Frodo, Deblin's Green, Prince Tino, Eyecatcher, The Pilgarlic, Captain Christy, Mr Midland, Interview II, Credit Call, My Virginian, Flush Of Diamonds, Scout, Money Ma

[albrookes]

Thanks for kicking off the questions Nafsasp

[Pompete]

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.

Richard, I share the view of many that it is only a matter of time before the use of the whip in racing, as a means of attempting to make a horse go faster in a finish, is abolished and that the current rules governing ‘Hands & Heels’ races become the standard for all races.

Should this happen are you of the view, expressed by some, that this would ‘ruin’ racing as we know it or do you believe racing will be just as exciting and enthralling as it is under the current whip rules.

Thanks, Pete

I don’t feel whips should be banned as it is part of our equipment for safety, as well as getting the horses into top gear. I would not fancy riding a 2year old colt first time down to the start without one, but of course they need to be used properly. The rules are there for us all to see and it is getting better; there are new sticks we use with padding which are being monitored to see how long the padding lasts. So we are a lot further forward than racing in other countries in trying to make things better for horse and jockey. I think racing would change a lot if sticks were banned

[Maxilon 5]

Hi Richard,

What’s your view on the Racing For Change proposals, particularly the proposal to supply most of the major races on Saturdays?

Is there a consensus of opinion on the subject in the weighing room?

Cheers

Max

I think it would be good to get more racing on terrestrial TV again and to involve more people can only be a good thing. They have some good ideas – one was brought up at a meeting we had last week about allowing the cameras in to the steward rooms on big meetings, which seemed to get a decent reaction from the jocks. One said it would be good to get people seeing into the weighing room more on the big days to see the banter and the jocks having a laugh with each other. Just seeing the fun side we see.

[Cav]

Hi Richard

Whats your view on the prizemoney situation? Alan Munro has said 2010 will be his last in the UK, financially its not sustainable for him anymore. Do you think more jockeys will take this option as the sport continues to run out of money?

Thanks

Paul

As we know prize money is going down each year and that’s why Racing For Change is trying to get more people in to racing, to get it up again. Alan is not the only one thinking of going elsewhere – I’m sure lots of owners do. Some already go to France, Ireland and further for better prize money; but saying that there are now things like the Racing Post Bonus Scheme and other yearling bonus’s which are a huge incentive. I don’t think too many jocks will choose to go away full-time as we know racing in the UK is still some of the best in the world.

[Zamorston]

Hi Richard,

Could you give me the name of a nice unraced 2 year old from the Dascombe stable to keep an eye out for, any that have given you the feel they could be something special?

Cheers..

[Gerald]

When you are faced with self-doubt, with whom do you speak?

I have a very good friend who I worked with at Roger Charlton’s who taught me a lot and I speak to if I’m having issues with my riding. I’d normally have a chat with my agent who has a very level head and will tell me to calm down and ‘relax and things will come good’ – as they tend to do.

[Gerald]

That doesn’t seem to scan right. As soon as it starts with whom, it seem natural that it should continue doth thou speakest?

[doublethetrouble]

hi
i disagree that the whip should be abolished,many horses need a reminder during the racethat they are racing for real,but i do agree with a limit of strokes in the last furlong what are your thoughts on my suggestion ?, best of luck this year

I agree with your suggestion. As I said earlier it is a tool of our job but needs to be used properly. There are consequences if you use the stick too much. With the new totting-up rules it’s even more severe. As I said, people are getting less bans now and a lot of work has been put into that and still is.

[raymo61]

Hi Richard

What has been your best days racing?
The best horse you have ridden?
In your opinion would many races have a different result if jockeys weren’t aloowed to carry whips? In if so what percentage?

If I think of any more I will add them later.

P.S. Good luck this flat season

I have had lots of great days racing. My first big win on Group Captain was great because I loved that horse. I rode him out a bit at home and he was great to deal with. It was nice to show Mr Charlton that I could ride better horses and of course the 2 Group 2 winners took both mine and Tom’s careers to another level. I’ve ridden lots of good horses at home from Avonbridge to Patavellian and also Striking Ambition. Two are now sires who I’ve ridden the offspring of. I have also rode Muhannak to win an apprentice race when he was with Gerard Butler. A lot of the time the best horse wins but even some of the best horses need a smack to get into top gear and get racing or just to concentrate, so it would be very difficult to estimate a percentage.

[Grey Desire]

Have you any more room on your body for any tattoos and of the ones you have which is your favourite?

How does the set up at Manor House compare with stables you have worked at in the past and what would be considered a successful season for the team there?

I have lots of room left and lots of ideas but it just costs plenty of money and time, so I’ve only had 1 done in the last year. There will be lots to come. I like them all of course but I have a dragon which starts under my arm and heads down my arm which my tattooist has done a great job on.
Manor House is a great set-up now the gallop is done. There are a lot of passionate people involved there and I think if this year matched last year that would be a great result for the yard. We are just getting to know it up here and trying to build a foundation for many seasons to come so it’s not just about this year. We are still learning about the place but we have already had 2 decent winners in Classic Colori and Blue Jack so we’re hoping for the best that we can beat last year.

[Ken(West Derby)]

What is your nickname at the yard? More seriously, when watching the horses workout on the gallops at Warren Hill is it annoying for the work riders to be asked questions by Joe Public? For example, if I liked the look of a particular horse and how it performed would I get short shrift if I asked the rider the horse’s name? What kind of stable instructions do the riders get for interacting with Joe Public? It’s just that last year I found some teams very friendly at seven in the morning whereas others wouldn’t even acknowledge a polite "Good morning".
Cheers and thanks.
Ken

In the weighing room I have either ‘Tatty’ thanks to Jimmy Fortune, which I quite like, or I have ‘Prison Break’. Both have stuck well with some of the lads. Unfortunately, with all of the corruption things even a stable lad can lose his job if giving information to people. So they would not be able to tell u the name of a horse in case you are laying or backing, but a simple “Hello” is fine. Maybe lads are just trying to keep their distance as they don’t know who they are seen talking to. If they were warned off or something it can come back to have very serious consequences.

Very interesting point there from Richard re- jockeys having to be careful who they talk to. One can understand their appearing to be aloof under current circumstances. – Cormack

[Ken(West Derby)]

What does it feel like Richard when you’re sitting on one, a recent example Blue Jack, just behind the front group with a furlong to go and knowing that you can pick them up whenever you’re ready? Is it a nervous moment wondering whether someone in front is suddenly going to block your path or do you anticipate what might happen and prepare accordingly?
Thanks

Of course we have to anticipate as anything can happen. On Blue Jack the gaps were closing so I committed a little sooner than I would have liked but I needed to keep a clear run. I could just see the pack starting to roll around in front of me so I chose to kick on rather than wait just in case and he responded well. Sometimes they don’t respond so well and a gap closes but then you have to look for another opening. It’s not a nervous time as you are concentrating and there is no time- you just have to make the decision.

[placemat2]

HI Richard,
Top man esp from the front but tell me.Do you ride to orders ?,do you read the form and work out how to ride a race? or does your agent read the form for you:)?

scott

[albrookes]

Cheers for the questions everyone. Looking forward to putting them to Richard

[Gingertipster]

HI Richard,
Top man esp from the front but tell me.Do you ride to orders ?,do you read the form and work out how to ride a race? or does your agent read the form for you:)?

scott

If I am not too late:
Was going to ask a similar question/s, you’re an excellant judge of pace Richard. Is it yours, or Tom’s Idea to front run so often? It’s often called "doing it the hard way". Think for the horse it’s actually the opposite. But for a jockey, is it harder; and how did you learn? For example, did you count seconds per furlong?

Had my biggest win of 08 on Classic Blade in the July Stakes. Thanks, from the bottom of my pocket.

Value Is Everything

[Author]

Posts