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‘In season’ is when a mare is about ready to cover. The general ‘in season’ lasts for 3 days, of a 3 week cyle. Mares start coming into season during the warm weather, so every 3 weeks from Feb/March – Autumn.
It affects all mares differently. Some you will hardly notice, some will squirt and squeel all over the place, some will get very uptight and tie up.
Some mares will ‘come into season’ more easily then others, ie long lorry journey, showing them a fence the day before they run.
Being ‘in foal’ eliminates all these factors. As does using a drug called Regumate, which is illegal in racing.There was a horse called Shoon Wind who won a hunt race well into his teens, may have been 16/17.
I rode my first winner on a horse called Dovetto, who was 14.
Think it was last year a 14yo won a maiden first time out in a p to p.
A horse called My Legal Eagle is a good example, although ‘only’ 13.
Galway, won Hunter Chases this season at 14.Apparently quarter horses are the fastest animals on earth over 3 furlongs.
Im sure they have 4f races in Australia.
Also, is it right they have 1m2f chases in Japan?Marcus Tregoning?
Doubt it. Was in the pub with a few of his staff at Donny sales, they all said he was great to work for.
Dont you think its funny how the most popular, and upopular blokes in Herefordshire get on so well?
The stallion that interests me the most is Firebreak.
Very correct, versatile and tough.
Now just have to buy a mare that would suit him!
Jumps wise I am keen on Fair Mix, although not an impressive animal himself he puts a lot of bone onto his stock and they are stunning animals. He himself was very tough and sound.
The mare I manage for owners is in foal to him this time. She won 2 hurdles, 1 chase and a point to point at 2m6f to 3m2f.
She has a Sir Harry Lewis colt foal at foot (first), who I am chuffed to bits with.I’d appreciate a best UNdressed man comp!
Although none should have a place on a racing programme.All the same, she’s proving a fair standard-bearer for Kevin M Predergast, who, like other new-ish trainer Kahlil Burke, spent his formative years falling off or plodding around out the back on Ted Caine’s horses….
gcAt least KP managed to ride a few winners though!
The problem I have is that there are too many jockeys struggling to make a living, and those rides would make all the difference.
…Which sounds crackers, when you think about it, at a time when there are more races, and more horses in training, than at any other time I can recall. Imposing a limit on the number of races in which amateurs, or amateurs / conditionals of a certain age, may participate is one take on things, but isn’t there also an argument for capping the number of rides that ALL jockeys from McCoy down to Millington may be booked for per week, month, season, whatever?
It strikes me that the more powerful racing agents hoovering up dozens of rides at a time for their clients squeezes out the aspiring young talent just as much as the presence of the amateurs or journeymen, if not more so.
Moreover, the champion jump jockey title has seldom represented a contest over the last 20-25 years, with whosoever has access to the most powerful stable du jour almost guaranteed of the title as long as a lengthy injury can be avoided. If all jocks were limited to, say, a maximum of 300 to 400 rides per season (but the jockey’s fee increased to offset any potential loss of earnings), I’d anticipate a more interesting contest.
gcProbably so, espeically when you compare to the flat title. IS never a foregone conclusion at the start of every season, and the ‘runners’ are largely different every single year.
Do you think the main difference is that while jumping is dominated by just a few ultra powerful stables, with a lot of money behind them? The flat trainers are on more of a level playing field. Largely due to money being all over the place, but maybe also down to the fact less ‘facilities’ are needed, in the grand scheme of things.
I dont think I would like to see all jockeys restricted, and indeed if they were I think the NH jockey table would still read the same. Surely the ‘romanticism’ (ie, when the small man takes on the big boys, be it jockey/owner/trainer) of jumping is all part of the appeal?
Perhaps another solution is, for those trainers employing conditionals, is that they should be provided with a minimum of rides per year.I would be interested to know how many bumpers were run on good ground last season, if anyone is bored enough to look them up!
…or indeed if anyone can differentiate between good ground meaning "good ground", or good ground meaning "might have been good ground at the start of the meeting but was poached to buggery by the time of the bumper", which would only serve to strengthen what is a very decent point you’re making.
gc
Im not sure id agree with running them as the first race. The argument against is, that the horses that are actually jumping need good ground more. Landing in false/churned patches places unnecessary strain on a horse and causes accident. Although less than perfect ground conditions is hard on a youngster, it is less likely to cause serious injury then jumping on it.
Fully agree with official going statements, quite often a mockery.# Have all bumpers on the AW, perhaps on the end of flat cards. Nothing worse then seeing young horses being hammered on very soft or very hard ground……….
Most Bumper horses would be 5yo or 6yo, I would imagine. I’m no vet, but I would have thought running 2yo’s on quick summer ground might do more damage?
I think to simliarise between bumper horses and 2yo maidens is a mistake. A 2yo flat bred horse is trained to the minute and is more skeletally developed then your average bumper horse. They have been in trianing for months and months, and go in maidens to win(well most of the time
). Bumper horses have been broken in later, and go in bumpers green for experience (yes I know some yards farm them, but I am talking generally). Everyone knows a 4yo bumper horse is more likely to suffer with sore shins then a flat bred youngster.
The distances are so different, I know they are only relative to breeding, but 2m is a long way to go for a green, backward type. To do that on fast or soft ground places a huge strain on the anatomy and can be avoided.
Watching a soft ground bumper, where the fittest and best win, and the rest are strung out (hence no company, not learninig anything, and finding it hard) is no joy.
I would be interested to know how many bumpers were run on good ground last season, if anyone is bored enough to look them up!I dont think drumming them out of the sport is the way forward.
Tom Greenall is in interesting case. Very competent, good enough to mix it with the pros.
A term that is commonly used is ‘genuine amateur’ which he generally isnt. He could be, i’m guessing earninig a living isnt on the list of his priorities.
The others you mention are well entitled, and competent enough, to ride their own horses. The problem I have is that there are too many jockeys struggling to make a living, and those rides would make all the difference.
In addition to that I think that the amateur championships should be restricted to winners in amateur races. That gives all the amateurs a fair chance, not just the ones riding for top yards.
Of course this would all be simple if there were more amateur races, which isnt going to happen until the bookmakers stop dictating the sport.
Yes it may have stopped the declining number of jump jockeys, but just how many of them have ridden multiple winners since the new rule?
The one present in my mind is Derek Laverty, if only he joined the stable he is with now a few years ago he would have long made it by now. He could prove to be an exception to my way of thinking, and I hope he does. Saying that, I still disagree with no hopers taking 1/2 rides a week off up and coming pilots.
The solution may be to take a leaf out of Irelands book and make it easier to revert to amateur. These lads carry on for their love for the game, if they could turn back amateur more easily it would be the best thing for National Hunt racing and point to pointing.The ‘blowing up’ bit was meant tongue in cheek, did not mean to come across aggresively.
Didnt know about Fallon, too young!
You have to admit, he is just one of many, and my comments would stand for most of the rest.
Plus, he obviously made it despite not being able to claim what he should have.
Why should todays jockeys have it any easier?
