Jockeys Lose Races Not Horses

A little bit of an assessment of the difference jockeys can make to a horses finishing position. It's questionable at times (in my opinion) whether some jockeys deserve their riding fee at all. This is not me talking from my pocket either, but I am talking from frustration, something I'm sure most punters feel when they see that the horses they back not getting the best that their rider can give.

[@vimtocrazy739]

Totally wrong mate . Every horse doesn’t react to strong handling.

[@PegasusRaceRatings]

@@vimtocrazy739 Hi mate, I half agree with what you’re saying, but to be honest I don’t think your point is applicable to this particular horse. If you take a look at some of its runs last year where it either won or finished runner up, you can visibly see the difference. Clifford Lee in the saddle for most, if not all of those, and shows good horsemanship in each. He more often than not gives a strong drive, and the horse responds positively, does not show any signs that it does not like being ridden this way, no flashing of the tail or anything. I genuinely believe this particular horse needs a strong rider aboard to get the very best out of it. It’s all about opinions in this game, and I respect yours, even though I don’t necessarily agree on this occasion. Really appreciate you taking the time to comment, and offer a different perspective, many thanks indeed 👍

[@josephmaher4270]

load of noncence,most times best horse wins.its not a science,easy be wise afterwords and often anyone critical has no knowedge of riding racehorses at speed.

[@PegasusRaceRatings]

@@josephmaher4270 Hi many thanks for taking the time to comment. You are correct in the sense that I do not have experience of riding a horse at speed. In fact I wouldn’t dream of putting a horse through the burden of carrying my weight, let alone run at any serious pace with me on it 😊. I am simply giving my opinion based on years of race watching, both on course, and of course spectating from the comfort of my couch. I realise neither of these give me a true perspective of being in the saddle. Would I be correct in assuming that you yourself have previous or current experience? If so I would genuinely appreciate a different perspective of what i have stated from someone who has this in depth knowledge. Everyday is a school day, as the old saying goes, and I by no means think that I know everything (far from it). If you could possibly elaborate further, I would be extremely grateful. Thank you once again for your reply, and I look forward to any further response you may provide 👍 Regards Dave

[@RacingCommentator]

Albasheer did me yesterday. Hollie Doyle got into a mountain of trouble in behind horses. I see your case with the lighthearted taps behind the saddle by Sam.

[@PegasusRaceRatings]

@@RacingCommentator Certainly frustrating to watch for sure. I think it’s even more so when the horse has a clear pathway and the rider still employs questionable tactics. I hope the horse comes good for you next time if you decide to keep the faith 👍

[@tonygarforth539]

hollie is renawned for getting boxed in she looks good when she wins but has lost many with bad rides but you take your chance thats horse racing and move on you will see it every day

[@tommyplunkett3643]

Dave, agree 100% one for the tracker and James not on or maybe he got a bollocking for his effort. Karl Burke is no mug or was he riding to instructions and priming him for another day.Thanks Dave Top man👍

[@martinbrown747]

i often look for non triers but this was a listed race with 40 grand for the winner has to be bad jockeyship imho

[@PegasusRaceRatings]

@@martinbrown747 Hi Martin, exactly the same train of thought as myself. The better quality of racing, you hope would see less of the cloak & dagger style tactics that are seen on your day to day low grade contests. The jockey in this case just did enough to have the officials leave him alone, but I honestly believe he was bordering on Schooling In Public.

[@PegasusRaceRatings]

@@tommyplunkett3643 Hi Tommy, certainly a bit of a head scratcher. As Martin alluded to below, you would hope that less of the questionable tactics are employed in the better class contests. I can understand not overly exerting early on in the season after a break for example, but I’m not so sure with this one. I’ll add it to the tracker, I think it will pop into the winners enclosure at some point.

[@jaculton2641]

​@@PegasusRaceRatingsalmost did Saturday. Will probs be back for the 5 and a half, first day of the ebor.

[@PegasusRaceRatings]

@@jaculton2641 you could be right, I would be interested if C Lee jumps aboard. Thanks for taking the time to comment 👍

[@ryanhodson993]

My favourite jockey because of how bad he is mark winn hes a 3lb apprentice and he rides for o meara and he literally loses on more favourites than anything else. If hes in a race back against him youll make alot of money

[@PegasusRaceRatings]

@@ryanhodson993 I’ve put up selections with that jockey aboard a few times already, and none have even hit the frame. That said, his overall strike rate if I remember correctly, is not stupidly bad. I have not done any analysis on his average priced winner though, so that might be interesting to look into. Thanks for taking the time to comment 👍

[@user-lp5ip6mh7v]

Croeso Cymrag was given a very poor ride Saturday. Rossa Ryan is also a serious non trier at times

[@Brian-hc3qx]

I like Jimmy Doyle,he seems to always try hard to win.

[@PegasusRaceRatings]

@@Brian-hc3qx Me too. Also Oisin Murphy is another solid and reliable jockey in my opinion. The time Oisin is willing to put out to racing media, and above all the fans themselves is also astounding. Ryan Moore is perhaps the most contentious of the top flight jockeys ( for me anyway ). The amount of times he has dropped his hands when realising he cannot win is incredible. Many an e/w punt has gone astray for me in the past because of this, and it has resulted in a few remotes getting thrown across the room too, when a double or treble has died 😂. Probably why I prefer win only these days, if it’s beat it’s beat 👍

[@spleeeen4it]

i don't agree with your assessment about shoemark v crouch to be honest, seen plenty of races when shoemark has looked like a complete pansy in a finish, and crouch has ridden loads of big priced winners.

[@PegasusRaceRatings]

@@spleeeen4it Hi, thanks for the comment. My opinion was based on the performances of the races in the video., I wasn’t clear enough on that. I take your point though, there are questionable rides by a lot of jockeys sometimes. I’ve backed a fair few of Hector Crouch rides over the years as well, and I wouldn’t say I’m down overall either. I think he came off second best on this occasion, but I don’t think I talked him down either. My gripe was the Sam James ride on Korker. I think had either Shoemark or Crouch been on that horse it would have improved its finishing position. Thanks again for your comment, always good to hear different opinions and perspectives 👍

[@DaveTheSuit]

Think you missed a couple of cracks (definitely one) after he switched the whip to his left hand @ 2.49 after a weak slap down the neck with his right...stayed on well but didn't have turn of foot to match the winner, could have got 2nd imo

[@PegasusRaceRatings]

@@DaveTheSuit Definitely would not have beat the winner Dave, but still think the jockey needs a dry slap 😂

[@tonygarforth539]

my dad used to say is biggest pet ate was in backing horses was the horse is good enough but the jockey is not there is a lot of poor jockeys riding today my granny could ride better than some of them and shes 101 and im serious a lot of them attached to a stable have some kind of loyalty or family background i no i used to be a jockey in the late 70s i was not very good myself but i was better than a lot of these today

[@therealsilke]

Sorry, have you held a jockeys license? I do not think you have. Hector Crouch is giving his ride a good pushing an has his knees well tucked in to get a grip and help the horse prolonging its stride, so does Cieran Shoemark, but he bobs his head and shoulders (his own, not the horses) more up and down, that is more visible to the unknowing eye, but does not prolong the horses stride better, in fact air resistance gets more in the way and his arms movements suggest he is in fact the reason to the horses wandering about, not running a straight line (straight lines are more effective to finish ahead).

[@PegasusRaceRatings]

@@therealsilke interesting summary, thank you for sharing that insight, very informative indeed 👍👌. Appreciate you taking the time to post.

[@spleeeen4it]

its a crooked sport run by a club of people who keep all the info to themselves, always has been

[@Grudeman408]

The first horse Definitely wouldn't have won, and I've seen ALOT worse, but I totally agree with you I've been mugged so many times I'm an Ew backer, it's an insanely corrupt sport , Nico de boinville a few years ago in the Christmas hurdle done absolutely everything he could to NOT beat beauvir dair, but his horse won in spite of his lack of effort. It's bent as fxxx

[@fabiomartingez8314]

I've got a donkey list of jockeys I never bet, no matter the horse. Sam James is top of the list.

[@jaculton2641]

Your dad should have told you. They're not running for you. Your right but put yourself in the connections shoes. What are they wanting. Talking about korker here. Dropped a pound . Prepped for a couple of runs time. Who knows. Should have sat behind the winner anyway.

[@charleshannam]

You backed a horse who has shown all his best form at 5 furlongs on good or softer ground - this was over 6 furlongs on good to firm running with an OR of 103 which he had never won with before. At the very least these are possible reasons why Korker didn't win.

[@PegasusRaceRatings]

@@charleshannam this video was created after the race at York on 13th July, it was effectively running in ideal conditions on that day 👍

[@charleshannam]

@@PegasusRaceRatings I stand corrected!

[@gregoryvirgo8195]

Jockeys have orders...gg