Horse Racing stats man, Andy has contributed to OLBG for 18 years - An Ipswich fan and F1 fanatic, he also contributes EFL football and Motor Sport opinion.
Jockeys
At the time of writing we are enjoying the Cheltenham Festival, and more importantly we hope you are finding winners and making a few quid?
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Well, there is but one day left until next year, and the highlight of the week the Cheltenham Gold Cup day in which Champion A.P.McCoy could get the leg up for J.P his Boss on Sir Des Champs.
He gets the ride sadly due to Davy Russell being hospitalised with a possible punctured lung, such awful news.
Another jockey J.T.McNamara suffered very serious injuries this afternoon during the Festival, and was I believe to be airlifted to a Bristol hospital which specialises in head and spinal injuries
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The inevitable delay in racing meant not so much to me, as the welfare of this young man.
Racing was suspended due to the fact there were inadequate medical facilities due to the welfare of young Mr.McNamara.
I could hear on Radio 5 live, that the jockeys were shaken, and all their attention and eyes were seemingly focused on the weighing room, and understandably considering the risks they were about to take, albeit in the Champion Bumper must have hit home.
Jockeys
These guys and girls have an incredible life, once they hit the big time, but so did many of the Officers above me during my 8 years British Army service, even as a Private or Lance Corporal the thrills are there, but like any jockey, dangers abound!
You have to learn your trade, even as a top jockey, each ride different, being professional, similar hardships, keeping fit, self and enforced discipline are needed, adapting and more so under public scrutiny!
The reason I relate to my army days is that unlike a Politician say,...we were under instructions, and you follow them.I,m sure many of you are parents, and “train” your own offspring to great effect, however, a racehorse is an animal!
Maybe you have heard the famous quote, never work with animals and children?
My experience over 24 years love of our sport, has led me to bet mostly online or at the track, mostly as hearing whinging casual punters in the betting shops slagging off top athletes, both equine and human, riding often horses unfamiliar to themselves, really rattled me!
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Yes, it is your money, do whatever you will with it, I also accept everyone is entitled to their rights and freedoms of speech and opinion, everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, for Jockeys there is this too on course by stewards and also at Portman Place.
But these jockeys really deserve our utmost respect, and admiration for the way they starve themselves, often waste away, sometimes break almost every bone in their body, in the love of their and our pursuits.
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I hear many of them survive on copious mugs of sugared tea, plus a few sweets during racing, after running, sweating in hot baths or saunas before the races to shake off a pound or two!
It was said that A.P. McCoy only has 4 dinners most week evenings, weighs 10 st at 5ft 10 and like me back in my army days, suppressing his weight by 1 and a half stone! I know what I,d tell my boss now I,m a civvy!
That is serious self-discipline! Especially the Amateurs trying to gain experience of actual race riding, raising a family, earning little, always with the prospect of losing life or limb, how many of you have actually jumped a horse, or even sat on one?
I helped out and exercised some of the Army horses in the late 80s, trained for riots and they,d surprise even Tony McCoy with their attitudes!
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So maybe the next time, your favourite jockey, the tried, trusted and usually reliable fellow or lady rider lets you down, maybe at your disposal, you can watch the re-run of the race and once your emotions have calmed, found empathy, evaluate a few lessons?
Was it really poor horsemanship? possibly ground was not right for the horse? leave it to the stewards maybe? there is always another day.
