Ludwig Posted March 7, 2023 Share Posted March 7, 2023 I wonder how they're all feeling tonight. Pretty lousy , I suspect, in view of the judicial hearing today. Obviously, a much loved family member, but how does a six week suspension help to compensate?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefton Posted March 7, 2023 Share Posted March 7, 2023 2 hours ago, Ludwig said: I wonder how they're all feeling tonight. Pretty lousy , I suspect, in view of the judicial hearing today. Obviously, a much loved family member, but how does a six week suspension help to compensate?? Not sure a ten year suspension would be any solace to the Taylor family. Just a tragedy that's all. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted March 7, 2023 Share Posted March 7, 2023 Nothing can, or will, compensate for the loss of a life, ever. But, with all respect to those most directly affected, Denby has to bear that cross too, and she will, for the rest of her life. The issue - for mine - is the awful standard of so many of our riders, and the seemingly inept - or non-existent - training they get, as well as equally inept judicial decisions. We have a tendency we have to judge a riding transgression on the result and not the action. If nothing had resulted from the wayward path of Denby's horse, apart from some general tightening and a few mutterings in the jockeys' rooms, would the penalty even be discussed? We see some horrendous steering decisions, major interference in so many races, that barely get a mention. Warnings with an exhortation to 'exercise more care' time after time. Well, the worst result of all did happen. If a review of rules and implementation of same, was to happen, then that would be a small ray of light. 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwig Posted March 7, 2023 Author Share Posted March 7, 2023 So, how does an apprentice jockey get licensed? Do they have to pass tests, if so who signs them off as being of sufficient standard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 (edited) Yes, well, can't answer that, it's a long time since I had apprentices. The recent shocking case of horse abuse on the West Coast by a 'licensed ' trainer - licenced how or by whom anybody's guess. The horses are alive and being cared for now, but professional standards...nah. I'm sure the Nakhle Jockey School will be good - if it's modelled on the Sth African one it should be excellent. The likes of J Mac, Dan Stackhouse, the Colletts, the Lammas family, and heaps of others, have had an equestrian base to kick off their race riding training, but others? Some are lucky to be naturally gifted, others are athletic and sporty, but it all seems very hit-and-miss otherwise to me. Australian standards for apprentices are tough and not just anybody can make the grade. A young lass, from a local family, recently rode her first winner over there. But had been on record as saying, gee, its hard, but if I don't pass I'll just go home its easy there. Good on her for hanging in and achieving her goal - but, really? Edited March 8, 2023 by Freda 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 It seems to me most apprentices are in a hurry to slip into the race day gear and get out onto the track. Their trainers should try to curb this enthusiasm a little until the apprentice is focussing on more than the glory of winning. There are going to be mistakes which need to be managed. Snooky Cowan's daughter Kate told the authorities she didn't think she was fully ready to be a jockey when originally presented with a licence and took her time. I'd put that down to her maturity and also being the daughter of a former jockey. Pam you will remember Gavin Gullery not being permitted by his mentor to carry a whip until he was proficient with one. Your memory may be better than mine but, I think he was apprenticed to Mick Murfitt. One thing is certain, when he was allowed to carry a whip he sure knew how to use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 Clarrie McCarthy seems to nudge my brain wrt Gullery....but you may be right for all that. Mouse McCann's boss, Ned Thistoll, maintained the whip was for saluting the judge, and he wasn't allowed to use it for anything else until given permission. Track regulations were so different then , I recall the 3rd ride out involving novice horses, used to take place late in the morning or early afternoon, depending on the time of the year, and without the 'boss' in attendance. Races up the straight for milkshakes or packets of cigarettes were frequent - and involved a bit of stick practice ! It also produced educated horses which didn't faint when jammed in the middle of a field ( which was often very large indeed ). I also seem to recall that the track- and also the multitude of training tracks- were presented in pretty good order, despite horses working until midday or a bit later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 Digressing - I'm sure it was Gullery and another reprobate Keith Nuttall who got hold of some firearms and took pot-shots at a small, low flying plane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefton Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 6 hours ago, Freda said: Digressing - I'm sure it was Gullery and another reprobate Keith Nuttall who got hold of some firearms and took pot-shots at a small, low flying plane. Not sure if this was true but a story I heard about Gullery He drove through road works on Epsom or Racecourse Road and proceeded to clip every road cone(yes apparently they had them in those days but I don't think they were every two inches like now) Might have done it more than once. So anyway the irritated road workers filled one up with concrete. Needless to say the result was fairly spectacular 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 A whole different world to the one we live in today. The car being driven was probably a borrowed one to boot. Keith Nuttall was a case all of his own. They say there's a fine line between a genius and a maniac. Funny how over the years some of the best riders sat somewhere on that line. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 8 hours ago, Special Agent said: A whole different world to the one we live in today. Was a lot of fun though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 Bang on. Today's peeps can be precious and boring. Too much PC crap for my liking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kihikihi Kid Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 11 hours ago, Special Agent said: A whole different world to the one we live in today. The car being driven was probably a borrowed one to boot. Keith Nuttall was a case all of his own. They say there's a fine line between a genius and a maniac. Funny how over the years some of the best riders sat somewhere on that line. Exactly , the line between genius and madman - the late great Lance Rokela a great example , and a few more along the way for sure An old saying , Genius on horseback, cot case on the ground Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 I wonder if the likes would be permitted to ride today. Their licences would be subject to some pussy regulations and checks by someome with a title and letters after their name. They would be labelled as being bipolar or having ADHT or aspergers. Their ability to handle a horse wouldn't even come into it and a certificate for the wall would not be issued. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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