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Grasshopper
Of course Nicholls has a right to speak his mind and people want to hear trainers, jockeys etc being direct.
It’s another thing openly criticizing a member of your team. Racing revolves closely around a team from stable staff right to the top. If one is being made to feel belittled every time the leader of this team steps before a camera they are bound to feel devalued to the operation.
Maybe this is Paul Nicholls way of encouraging Sam Thomas, every persons psychology varies and in sport where confidence is a premium people react to different forms of criticism. I can’t imagine this is the way to go with Sam Thomas though, of course i don’t know the man so i could be wrong but he is a young jockey who is number 2 to one of the best there is and involved in one of the biggest NH operations going, he has so much too live up to i can’t imagine it is of any benefit to the man.
Paul Nicholls has always struck me as an ego-maniac anyway and I don’t think he has a clue how to manage people. He won’t say a bad word about Ruby because he hasn’t got him in his pocket where as Sam Thomas is exactly that.
I agree with Grassy here. If Thomas joins the highest profile yard in the land and wants to ride the best horses then he is inevitably going to get more stick than your average joe for the rides he gets wrong. I happen to agree with Nicholls regarding the Big Bucks ride but strangely it looks like a blessing in disguise because he is more likely to win the world hurdle than the Gold Cup..
I thought the fact that Williams got the ride on Big Fella Thanks was a big kick in the nuts for Thomas.
It’s another thing openly criticizing a member of your team. Racing revolves closely around a team from stable staff right to the top. If one is being made to feel belittled every time the leader of this team steps before a camera they are bound to feel devalued to the operation.
It’s the suggestion that Thomas is part of the Nicholls ‘team’ that I take issue with, tbracing. He is a freelance jockey, who just happens to have been offered the option of riding frequently for the most powerful yard in the country.
As I understand it, Thomas is not paid a retainer by either Nicholls or any of his major patrons. Neither is he a ‘staffer’ at Ditcheat i.e. on a wage paid directly by Nicholls. Ergo, the suggestion that he is a member of the ‘team’ is wrong…….and once that premise is accepted, all the hand-wringing about how ‘badly’ he has been treated can be dismissed.
Well as to any financial agreements between the pair I can not comment, obviously you are in a better position than myself.
The suggestion he is not part of the ‘team’ I would find rather ignorant. As far as I am aware he regularly schools and rides out for Nicholls and rides where Ruby can not. If he wasn’t part of the team surely he would be passed over for more high profile jockey more regularly and have fewer than 1/4 of his rides.
Nicholls
public
treatment of Thomas has simply been unprofessional in my view. What is done behind closed doors is their business but thats exactly where any criticism, constructive or not should be dealt with between them.
The suggestion he is not part of the ‘team’ I would find rather ignorant.
Good for you.
I also thought Paul Nicholls’ remark about Big Buck’s winning the Hennessy had Ruby Walsh been aboard a bit tactless. It amounted to
a severe kick in the teeth to Sam Thomas.I’d hoped that a top trainer like Paul Nicholls would have been able to act in a more professional manner and at least display some caution and diplomacy over his feelings regarding Sam Thomas’ riding and lack of confidence. I cannot how see this public flogging from his boss will help Sam Thomas in any way.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
If Big Bucks should have won the Hennessy why did they then start campaigning him over hurdles?
If Big Bucks should have won the Hennessy why did they then start campaigning him over hurdles?
Too-shay, Mo!
If Big Bucks should have won the Hennessy why did they then start campaigning him over hurdles?
http://hazel8500.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/can-o-worms.gif
Nicholl’s comment regarding Big Buck’s and the Hennessy is exactly what I’m talking about when I say he is out of order. Its getting to the point where it looks like he’s taking every opportunity to have a dig at Sam and not only is that not right it doesn’t reflect well on Nicholls as a person either and its thoroughly unprofessional.
His opinions he’s entitled to – what he isn’t entitled to is a public campaign of persecution towards Sam Thomas and that is what its beginning to look like.
For what its worth I backed Big Buck’s for the Hennessy and have absolutely no problem with the ride Sam gave him.
As much as moe’s comments weren’t really can-of-worms-opening as far as I’m aware (although bitingly truthful, and one I’d love to see presented to Nicholls- the fat child), I did enjoy Gaz’s graphic.
As much as moe’s comments weren’t really can-of-worms-opening as far as I’m aware (although bitingly truthful, and one I’d love to see presented to Nicholls- the fat child), I did enjoy Gaz’s graphic.
Agreed; a fiver to the first journo to put that very question to him.
I loved See More Indians..thought it was the best name ever for a horse; what happened to him? I thought it was one of those unfortunate accidents out in the field…
Won on Pride of Dulcote for the Nicholls yard at Wincanton. Mind you it was a two horse race on rubbish ground so amounts to nothing in this debate, just an observation.
Horse has crashing fall – Trainer runs him over hurdles to regain confidence. Not unusual surely?
The fact that he hacked up then gave Nicholls an opportunity. There may have been an ulterior motive but so far it has proved a profitable move.
Does anyone know what the riding arrangements for the Gold Cup are likely to be?
Is Denman still Sam’s ride, or will Ruby get the choice as he’s stable no. 1?
If Ruby does have the choice, who will he pick? Not a straightforward decision by any means…..
Gold Cup riding arrangements? Anybody?
Sometimes feel as though I’m talking to myself….
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