Crowley calls it: “I’m sure Tabarrak will run a good race”
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Champion jockey shares his weekend schedule
I’m riding up at Haydock on a mixed card, which is always a bit annoying as it means you only have the opportunity to ride three or four rides at most.
To have a full book of rides I’d have to take my Jump licence out again. But in all seriousness it is quite good fun and the racegoers do seem to like it.
It’s been eleven years since I switched from being a jump jockey to riding on the Flat, and when I see the jump guys go out to ride I get absolutely no urge whatsoever to be heading out with them.
Those jump lads work so hard, heading here there and everywhere for one or two rides, schooling every morning, and putting their necks on the line. Those days for me are long gone.
As much as I enjoyed them, I’m so glad I’m on the Flat now. Richard Johnson and Tom Scudamore are two of the faces I’ll remember tomorrow but most of the jump jockeys will be new given how long it’s been since I rode over obstacles.
Saturday – Haydock
He won a couple of races last year and has been gelded since. He’s stepping up in trip here. It’s always a nice race this. You get some decent staying types competing in it.
It will be interesting to see how he runs. I hope he runs well, but I can’t be too confident as it’s his first time running over this trip.
He’s been a real star this horse winning two Listed races for us last season.
Then he went on to be second in the Group Three Sovereign Stakes down at Salisbury. The ground was just way too soft for him last time out at Doncaster.
He’s a good ground horse and he’s tough. The 3lb penalty may make it a little tricky.
He’s there to be shot at by the likes of So Beloved who is getting 3lbs and was second in a Group One. I’m sure my horse will run a good race.
He won a really nice maiden last year at Sandown. I finished fourth in it on Emiraaty.
He looked a good horse that day. He then disappointed on soft ground on his last start.
It looks a good race so I can’t say he’ll win but I think he’ll go well.
Sunday
On Sunday I head over to Paris to ride Muthmir for the boss and Ellthea for Karl Burke in the French 1000 Guineas.
I’m going to drive up to Newmarket and catch a lift off Ryan Moore in his plane.
I always like riding in France and I had plenty of luck over there last season riding a few nice winners.
Longchamp
I’m really looking forward to seeing the new Longchamp. It will be interesting to see how the track rides, and also the new Grandstand and facilities.
They have a new false rail at Longchamp in the straight which will just give everyone a chance.
You used to get some pretty rough races round there because everyone was trying to get a good position, whereas now the false rail will mean jockeys can afford to ride more of a patient race knowing they should get a clear run at the finish. The best horse should always win now.
Muthmir won a nice race at Chantilly last summer and has been knocking on the door in all the top sprints. He can run well in the Prix de Saint-Georges at 2.00.
I was really pleased to get the call to ride Ellthea for Karl Burke in the French 1000 Guineas. He’s a brilliant trainer and can train every kind of horse.
You get some trainers that specialise in two year olds, or others that specialise in sprinters, but Karl is one of the very few trainers that can literally train every type of horse whether it’s two year old fillies, six furlong sprinters or stayers. He’s just a good all-rounder.
Ellthea won a Group 3 at Naas last year and was then fifth in the Fillies Mile behind Laurens. I’m really looking forward to riding her.
Jim
