MASTER JOCKEYS: WHO CAN CHALLENGE PIGGOTT AND DETTORI? Before his Irish Derby ABC guide this week, Daqman has another: an ABC to three top jockeys who would have given Lester Piggott and Frankie Dettori a run for their money. Who were the great invaders of the English turf before Dettori? Is Mark Johnston right to oust Piggott and put Frankie on the pedestal? Watch this space.
ROGER VARIAN ADMITS PLATE IS THE TARGET OF HIDDEN HORSE: Now look out for stats and facts about Saturday’s two Derbys: the ultimate Classic is the Irish Derby, which confirms of the Epsom Derby: truth or lie? The Northumberland Plate, which was nicknamed the Pitman’s Derby, used to put tough old handicappers to the coal face. Now smart trainers do battle on the Tapeta surface, with Roger Varian striking the first blow, a gamble on Gibbs Hill. He hasn’t run for 724 days but Varian admits, this has been his target all year. Roger!
CAUTHEN TOP INTERNATIONAL ACE
Mark Johnston says that Frankie Dettori is the greatest. Even better than Lester Piggott; a colourful genius in the saddle. There have been colourful characters before Frankie.
In the good old bad old days it was Cheeky Charlie Smirke (1952 Derby, ‘what did I Tulyar!’; 1958 Derby, Hard Ridden; ‘hard? it was easy’).
Then there was ‘Laughing Willie’ Carson (16 years of Derby wins from Troy 1979, to Henbit, Nashwan and Erhaab 1994) and in modern times Mickael Barzalona.
Barzalona (2011 Derby, Pour Moi) stood up in the saddle to celebrate his Derby win. Not all that unusual.. except that he did it BEFORE he reached the Epsom winning post!
But who, like Frankie, came to England from abroad, and was an ace in two or more of the three racing continents – in Europe (England, Ireland, France), Australia and America – not just for a day or a few big races but for an all-time place in the record books?
Here’s my ABC guide in which A is for Asmusssen, B for Breasley and C for Cauthen. One was Australian, and I mention the impact of other great riders from Down Under.
The two Americans were continuing a tradition which goes way back to Tod Sloan, who brought short-stirrup riding over here and won the Ascot Gold Cup of 1900. For a while he was ‘on his Tod’, but when he rode five consecutive winners at Newmarket, it was a head’s-up to the weighing room and his style created modern jockeyship.
Cash Asmussen Brian Asmussen, the boy from Laredo, brother to top US trainer, Steve Asmussen, legally changed his name to Cash.
A horseman and rider of international renown, winning the major races in America, Canada and Japan, and being based at Newmarket and then in Chantilly, the first foreigner to win the French jockeys’ title.
He was their champion in 1985-6 and 1988 to 1990, in 1987 being based in Ireland.
It was Cash who rode Montjeu to win the Irish Derby in 1999, the year after he completed the Irish Derby and French Derby double on Dream Well. He had won the Arc on Suave Dancer in 1991.
Cash was an immaculate professional, taking time and trouble in all things racing. After I ghosted him an article in my racing page, he sent me his card and a ‘thankyou’ note in a neat envelope, delivered by courier.
Scobie Breasley Literally the man from Wagga Wagga. Australian Hall of Fame rider but with 100 winners in Britain every year 10 seasons running up to 1964.
Champion jockey in 1957; won the Derby for the first time aged 50 (Santa Claus 1964) and then again on Charlottown (1966).
As a trainer, he won the Irish Derby (Steel Pulse 1972) but the best horse with which he was associated was Irish Derby winner Ballymoss, trained by Vincent O’Brien and ridden by Arthur ‘Scobie’ Breasley to win the King George (1957) and the Arc (1958).
Among other Australians who rode in England were Edgar Britt, Ron Hutchinson and Neville Sellwood (1962 Derby, Larkspur; 1951 and 1955 Melbourne Cups).
Ron ‘Bobber’ Hutchinson rode more than 1,000 winners in 16 years for the Duke Of Norfolk but missed the ride on Derby winner Charlottown, after being beaten in the Lingfield Derby Trial. He was ‘jocked off’ by his best friend, Scobie Breasley.
Edgar Britt’s 1,000 Guineas and Epsom Oaks winner of 1949, Musidora, is forever remembered in the eponymous Classic trial for fillies run at the York Dante meeting.
Steve Cauthen The ‘Kid’ from Kentucky, Cauthen was the record breaker; not one but many. Youngest jockey to win the American triple crown (Affirmed 1978), youngest to win the Kentucky Derby, and first to win $6million in prizemoney.
The only rider to win Kentucky Derby, Epsom Derby, French, Irish and Italian Derbys. Ever.
US champion jockey (earnings) in 1977 and British champion 1984, 1985 and 1987. Won the Epsom Derby on Slip Anchor and Reference Point for Newmarket trainer supreme Henry Cecil. Flair in the stable; flair in the saddle.
VERDICT: Cash Asmussen and I got on well, and perhaps he was instrumental in Gary Stevens sending me over five winners out of six one Breeders Cup night.
Scobie Breasley I never met but Steve Cauthen was a columnist for me on my paper. So, too, William Hunter Carson.
Cauthen has to be the international statesman of racing jockeys; Carson the most reliable, particularly in a fight to the line.
I haven’t even mentioned a personal favourite, Mick Kinane, or a great stylist among them, John Reid.
But I disagree with Mark Johnston and my placings are 1 Lester Piggott, 2 Frankie Dettori, 3 Steve Cauthen. What could prove him right and prove me wrong is a computer assessment which I will bring you later in the year. Meanwhile, may destiny enable Dettori another Arc!
DESTINATION BRIGHTON FOR NAP
3.45 Brighton course specialist Roy Rocket bids for his 10th win at the track today but his fans might not get to celebrate.
The ground change to good to soft from good to firm after an overnight deluge has gone against the Rocket.
He is a twice previous winner of this race but doesn’t seem to be in the best form at present. He is reunited with Ross Beckett, but may need faster ground for win number 10.
Preference is for the mare Seventii. Her lifetime record of one win from 20 starts doesn’t inspire too much confidence but the ground has come right for her and there was plenty of encouragement last time out at Windsor where she wasn’t beaten far in sixth place in what looked a much stronger contest than this one.
She is preferred to the top weight Ezanak who has really struggled since returning from a break and has only beaten three horses home in his last two starts. The ground is also a question mark for him as he is yet to encounter anything slower than good in his 17 races so far.
Happy Ending has the cheekpieces fitted for the first time and comes into the reckoning on the back of a good effort at Bath last time out when third – although beaten 7 1/2 lengths. The ground may also be in her favour today.
4.45 Brighton Global Destination was a revelation on soft ground at Newbury last time out when winning under today’s jockey Gerald Mosse.
Despite being slowly away, the Ed Dunlop trained three-year-old stayed on really well over the seven furlongs trip and should enjoy similar conditions today.
He is up 5lb in the handicap for that success but there are big question marks over his main rivals including the second favourite Just Later who has no experience on testing ground and was only fourth of five here at Brighton on his debut last year.
He has since gone on to run well on the all-weather but seems to be starting life in handicap company off what could be a tough mark of 69.
Miss Elsa seems to handle the ground but has proven disappointing so far over a variety of distances and doesn’t look particularly well handicapped either.
7.10 Newbury This class 3 handicap is the race of the night at Newbury and could give trainer Martyn Meade another winner.
The stable have now had three winners from their last eight runners including Fox Vardy at Windsor last night who won despite hanging and racing awkwardly throughout.
The stable are represented here by Infrastructure who ran well at Newmarket last time out to finish fourth in a class 2 handicap. That run came after a 260 day break and Infrastructure should take a lot of beating if reproducing that form.
However the ease in ground overnight might have gone against him as his only career win so far has come on good to firm ground and on the two occasions he’s tackled good to soft ground he hasn’t run well.
A chance is therefore taken with Frontispiece who does seem to relish the softer ground and can hopefully build on a promising fourth at Sandown last time out over 10 furlongs.
The Amanda Perrett trained runner should be suited by the extra distance here combined with the easier ground.
DAQMAN’S BETS (staked to win 20 points):
BET 4.5pts win SEVENTII (3.45 Brighton)
BET 12.5pts win (nap) GLOBAL DESTINATION (4.45 Brighton)
BET 3pts win FRONTISPIECE (7.10 Newbury)
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