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old time jockeys ...
old time jockeys ...
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has anyone mentioned frankie duff on this thread yet i cant remember , if they have i apologize , a really smashing jockey always seemed to get the best out of his mounts as well ..anymore info on frankie ...
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i ment frankie durr ffs..
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Re Frankie Durr
[ This image is no longer available. ] [ This image is no longer available. ] This from 2000. FRANKIE DURR, who died last week, never finished in the top three in the jockeys' table in a long career but, in terms of ability, was probably the equal of some riders who have won the championship. Though he was joint-champion apprentice (with Tommy Gosling) in 1945, Durr was a late developer, a tough and resilient battler who recorded most of his big-race triumphs, including all his English Classic victories, after reaching the age of 40. The two most notable record-holders ridden by Durr were Le Garon d'Or and Hittite Glory. He won only one race on Le Garon d'Or - a seller at Redcar in 1960 - but without that victory Jack Ormston's gelding would not eventually have equalled the 20th-century British record for the most Flat wins in a career. Le Garon d'Or retired with a tally of 34 wins between 1960 and 1972, equalling the score of High Stakes (1945-50), though the latter benefited from three walkovers and a mistake by a judge who awarded him a race after misreading the photo-finish print. Hittite Glory is the only 100-1 shot to win a Group 1 race in England since the introduction of the Pattern in 1971. He caused his shock under Durr in the Flying Childers Stakes on St Leger day 1975, having flopped on his two previous starts, but it was no fluke because the partnership followed up in the Middle Park Stakes. The best horse Durr ever rode was Right Boy, though he partnered that champion sprinter only once - when winning the Festival Stakes at Birmingham in 1958. His next-best mounts, like Right Boy, gained their biggest victories for other jockeys. On Hethersett he won the Great Voltigeur Stakes and was second in the Champion Stakes in 1962; on My Swallow he was third to Brigadier Gerard and Mill Reef in the 2,000 Guineas in 1971; and in the same year he won the Brocklesby and July Stakes on another of David Robinson's champions, Deep Diver. The jockey's only Horse of the Year was Sodium, on whom he won the Irish Derby and the St Leger in 1966, beating Derby winner Charlottown narrowly on both occasions, but George Todd's colt was the century's worst Horse of the Year and was inconsistent as well. That was the only year since 1900 in which not a single top-class horse ran in Britain. An outbreak of swamp fever in France led to a ban on horses crossing the Channel for most of the season, so Sodium became champion by default. Durr gained four English Classic victories but never won the Derby, though he would have done so in 1973 had he opted to ride Morston. He had ridden Morston in that colt's only previous race, at Lingfield, but at Epsom he preferred Mon Fils, on whom he had caused a 50-1 upset in the 2,000 Guineas. Mon Fils finished 18th behind Morston, who triumphed under Edward Hide. Incidentally, Durr was one year older than he claimed to be during his riding career. He was born in Liverpool in 1925, but in all the reference books he gave the year as 1926. He was one of several jockeys of that era who, for professional reasons, pretended to be younger than they really were. Alec Russell, the regular rider of Le Garon d'Or, was the oldest jockey in Britain on his retirement in 1974, when he admitted to being 55 but was, in fact, 57. |
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Frankie Durr continued...
THE tributes flowed yesterday for Classic-winning-jockey- turned-trainer Frankie Durr, who died on Tuesday night. Richard Hannon, on holiday in Barbados, said: "If it wasn't for Frank I wouldn't be training now - it's as simple as that. We were going through a pretty bad spell and he helped me big- time. Then we got the Guineas winner Mon Fils, and things started to happen. "There are millions of stories you could tell, but one in particular was about a filly who finished last at Newbury. Frank got off and said, 'This one will go places'. "He was so right because she went on to win the 1,000 Guineas [for Barry Hills]. That was Enstone Spark. "Frank was a great gentleman, a good man for the game, and a really true professional. As I say, but for him I would probably be digging roads." Taffy Thomas rode the Durr-trained Sagamore to win the 1983 Cambridgeshire. Looking back at his late friend's riding career, he said: "Frank was a very professional jockey, a great race-rider, and wouldn't give an inch in a finish. "We were friends off the track but great rivals on it, and he never took any prisoners if he had a chance of winning," Thomas went on. "He was also a very good trainer. If he told you one had a good chance it was never very far away." Broadcaster Jimmy Lindley, who rode alongside Durr for many years, recalled: "He was a very good jockey, he was very strong and hated to be beaten. To beat him in a finish you had to be at your very best." Former champion jockey Joe Mercer, now racing manager to Maktoum Al Maktoum, added: "Frank was a wonderful person; very professional when it came to the job but good company away from it, and a lot of people will miss him." Another contemporary, Eric Eldin, recalled Durr's fanatical perfectionism. "He was a hard little jockey and, at the same time, very brainy," he said. "He used to work everything out; the wind conditions and when he should tuck in, how the grass had been mown and how that would affect the running of a race - the real finer points that no other jockey would think about." Trainer Jeff Pearce, who was Durr's assistant for over three years, said: "Frank was a terrific person to work for. Being a former jump jockey, I found him a great bloke to learn about Flat racing from and I owe him a great deal." FRANKIE DURR FACTFILE Name: Francis Durr Born: November 10, 1925 Married: February 10, 1954 to Odette. One daughter, Elizabeth, married to former jockey Geoff Baxter Riding career: Flat jockey 1944 to 1978 First winner: Merle, at Pontefract in 1944 British Classic wins: Sodium (1966 St Leger), Peleid (1973 St Leger), Mon Fils (1973 2,000 Guineas), Roland Gardens (1978 2,000 Guineas) Other big races won: Sodium (1966 Irish Derby), So Blessed (1968 July Cup), Tudor Music (1968 Gimcrack, 1969 July Cup), Yellow God (1969 Gimcrack), Wishing Star (1971 Gimcrack), Knotty Pine (1971 Ebor), Crazy Rhythm (1972 Ebor), Hittite Glory (1975 Middle Park), Commander-In-Chief (1963 Cambridgeshire) Training career: 1979 to 1991 Big races won: Ahonoora (1979 William Hill Sprint Championship), Another Realm (1980 Richmond, 1981 Greenham), Sagamore (1983 Cambridgeshire), Crews Hill (1981 Stewards' Cup), Camps Heath (1985 Ayr Gold Cup) COPYRIGHT 2000 MGN LTD |
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Backed Roland Gardens at 28-1(I Think) when he Won the Guineas......Good old Frankie.
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re Frankie Durr's winners, I'm surprised there's no mention of Prince De Galles, on whom he won the Cambridgeshire in 1969 and 70 (carrying 7-12, then 9-7). His '63 winner of the race gets listed.
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Good point Ged...Journalists Know nowt sometimes..
Here's a bit on Peter Robinson and "The Prince" And he was bred to be a judge. His father Peter was a hugely capable handicap trainer whose finest hours came courtesy of Prince De Galles, who landed the Cambridgeshire back to back in 1969 and 70. The first win, as a three-year-old carrying 7st 12lb, landed a gamble of climate-changing proportions as he was sent off at 5-2 favourite under Frankie Durr - 12 months later he followed up at 6-1 under the then record weight of 9st 7lb. You still shudder to think what sort of a good thing he must have been that autumn of '69. |
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thanks for that tabourineman.....
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Good to see the thread still going strong. We saw a lot of Frankie Durr up north in his latter years. He used to partner most of David Robinson's northern raiders for Paul Davey, Michael Jarvis and John Powney in the late 60s. Also, as I mentioned earlier in the thread, he was regarded as Sam Hall's handicap 'job jockey'. Also I remember a sprinter trained by Vic Mitchell at Malton, the horse was invariably laid out for a handicap at York and Frankie always used to ride it just for that one run. The owner never owned another horse and the rumours going round the northern scene at the time was that Frankie himself was the owner under a nomme de plume. A top class jockey whose engagement rarely 'killed' the odds.
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There was a mile conditions race run at Stockton, always run end of March/ early April which used to attract some good horses. In 1969 I saw Prince De Galles beat top sprinter Burglar (Burglar never stayed the mile) and the following year there was a right old ding-dong between John Dunlop's Spark and '69 Lincoln winner Foggy Bell. Top horses for a track like Stockton. I think Peter Robinson rode Prince De Galles that day.
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Frankie Durr, great jockey. Rode some good handicappers during a distinguished career including Trelawny, Harvest Gold, Random Shot, Knotty Pine, Crazy Rhythm, Commander In Chief, Nortia, Even Say, Matinee, Golden Mean, Epaulette, Rhythmic, Egualita and of course Prince de Galles.
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Others worth a mention (apologies if mentioned earlier) Roger Wernham, Ray Still, Ray Reader, Terry McKeown, David East, Paul Tulk, Brian Rouse, Brynn Crossley, Mark Rimmer, Tyrone Williams, Lionel Brown, Nick Howe, John Higgins, Ian Jenkinson, Michael Wigham, Kevin Leason, Ian Johnson, Ernie Johnson, Paul Young, Declan Gillespie, Johnny Roe, Tommy Sturrock, Duncan Keith, Steve Raymont, the list is endless.
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Today’s birthdays:
Colin Astbury – born this day 1951. Rode throughout the 70's. Best horse ridden was Pattered. Stable jockey to Earl Jones. Best season 18 winners in 1972-73.Excelled at Uttoxeter. Last ride was on Farolite in the Saucy Kit hurdle, Doncaster Friday Dec 17 1982. Unplaced. Was champion jockey of Norway in Norway. Had just the one ride in the National, Karacola (b/d 8th). He stayed in the business after retirement, becoming a stud manager, assistant trainer and equine technician. Fred Winter - born this day 1926 (Andover, Hampshire). Born in a bungalow called Cherimoya (named after his father’s Oaks winner), he was 13 years old and weighed 5 stone 7 pounds when making his debut at Newbury on Tam O’Shanter, finishing 9th of 21. Won his first jockeys’ championship 13 years later. One of his many memorable victories came on Carry On at Leicester after the horse had fallen twice and refused once. He became the first jumps jockey to be awarded a CBE. In August 1987 he fell down the stairs of his home at Uplands and never fully recovered. He died on April 5th 2004. Sadly, last Christmas Eve, his daughter Joanne committed suicide after the loss of her boyfriend through cancer. Harry Skelton - born this day 1989. Rode out for Reg Hollinshead and Ian Williams then, leaving school at 16, went to work for Richard Hannon. Won the Irish Grand National on Niche Market. Has ridden 123 winners to date. |
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TheMMac - I had the pleasure of catching up with Declan Gillespie not so long ago when I was racing at Selangor (Kuala Lumpur). He is in fine form. Very fit and well. He represents a big feed company and helps his son with the training. They've recently relocated from Penang to KL. Lovely man. Utter pro. Told me a marvellous anecdote about Cash Asmussen.
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some great names there tmm...bryn crossley and terry sturrock , remember getting a few winners from those lads ...
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Excellent info...MM...WW..and HV.
I remember following a horse called Flashing Light ridden by D. Keith for Walter Nightingale I think it ran 2nd about 12 times in a row before eventually winning.Duncan was a star in his day...deserves a word on here. [ This image is no longer available. ] [ This image is no longer available. ] This from 2001 ....see he was a Club Steward back then...bet he could tell a few tales over a pint. Duncan Keith loves nothing better than to take a trip down memory lane to the days when he was winning top races as a leading Flat jockey including the 1965 2,000 Guineas on Niksar. First Scottish jockey to win a Classic, the former rider from Maryhill also captured the Coronation Cup on I Say and the Cheveley Park Stakes and Sussex Stakes aboard Humble Duty during a career that spanned between 1954-1972 and yielded over 650 victories. Likeable Keith, now 63, laughed: "I was in hospital when Humble Duty won the 1970 1,000 Guineas for Lester and he must have been in a generous mood as he sent me a bottle of tonic water! "I also rode good horses like High Hat and Vienna for Sir Winston Churchill. But as Niksar was my only British Classic winner he would have to be the highlight of my career." Keith was with Humble Duty's trainer Peter Walwyn prior to Pat Eddery arriving on the scene and before that he enjoyed a lengthy and fruitful spell with Walter Nightingall.However, like so many pilots before and since, rising weight led to him hanging up his riding boots prematurely. "It all began after I fell from London Melody at Newbury in 1964 and I broke two vertebrae and smashed my pelvis. "They put me in traction for nine months and my legs wasted away so I had to go to a rehabilitation centre to build them up again and that was the start of the weight problem. "London Melody fell again at Lingfield the next year and he was a horse that used to break blood vessels and collapse. He did it the second time just as he was going through to win and he actually uprooted three concrete posts." Keith turned to training when he retired from the saddle and he operated from a yard in Winchester for six years with reasonable success. He said: "My best horse was Hillandale but when they made the new bypass it took away my gallops as they were only rented. "I still follow racing now and my old mates Geordie Ramshaw and Jock Wilson both live nearby. I sometimes look back at the old breeding but things have changed as it was a different era then." Nowadays Keith lives in Epsom and he makes a living as the bar steward at Banstead Athletic Football Club. "It's hard work but I don't mind that at all. Some of the people that come in are interested in racing and it's quite nice when they recognise me." COPYRIGHT 2001 Scottish Daily Record & Sunday From 2005 GLASWEGIAN Duncan Keith had a great following in my day.Can you provide details of his best horses? Keith was stable jockey to Walter Nightingall and later Peter Walwyn. He won the Coronation Cup on I Say and the Sussex Stakes on Humble Duty. His sole Classic success came on Niksar in the 1965 2000 Guineas. Keith rode more than 650 winners, including Vienna and High High (for Sir Winston Churchill) Approval,Rock Roi and Linden Tree.When he gave up along battle with the scales, Keith trained for six years at Winchester, his best horse being Hillandale. |
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Re Terry Sturrock...Does any body know if he is still associated with the Hills yard?
Here he is on Sky Diver...I think on the rail.....as the story says nearly lost the race easing up. [ This image is no longer available. ] This from 2002.... DROPPING hands is not a modern-day phenomenon. Terry Sturrock admits to it when Sky Diver scraped home by a short-head in the 1968 Stewards' Cup. But the winning post was not the only thing that came just in time for Sturrock. His seven-year apprenticeship to Doug Marks had finished in June and it was only on the trainer's insistence that he signed up for another two months that rendered him eligible to claim a 5lb allowance. Sky Diver, who was retired immediately after the race, remains the only horse to have won two Stewards' Cups since the First World War. The victory represented the highlight of Sturrock's riding career. When he finished his time, he joined Peter Walwyn as second jockey to Duncan Keith. He then moved to Ireland, riding for Willie Robinson, John Oxx and Paddy Prendergast jr. It was there that he met his wife, Maria. "I came back and ran a pub in Wandsworth for three years", he recalls. "I spent another two in Austria, riding for a trainer who insisted on wearing black leather gloves when feeling a horse's legs, because he assembled computers during the day and didn't want to risk damaging his hands!" Sturrock joined Barry Hills as a work rider in 1982 - "the year of Motavato" - and rode that season's Lockinge winner in all his work. Other Group 1 winners he has partnered on the gallops include Cormorant Wood, Moonax, Royal Applause and Distant Music. But that came to a bone-crunching halt last October when riding Hills's three-year-old Indian File. "We were crossing Farringdon Road between gallops when a car ran straight into me," he explains. "I punctured a lung, broke my collarbone and cracked three ribs. The horse had to be put down." The bones healed well, but the mental scars and panic attacks took longer. "I had my first one in the hospital," he says. "I was due to be x-rayed and they took me down to the ground floor. I thought I was underground and couldn't breathe. "I had panic attacks on the bus and in the doctor's surgery. I wouldn't wish them on anybody - you can't believe how bad they are. If I went into a shop and there were more than five people, I'd have to come out. I'd break into a cold sweat. The brain is telling you to do something and you're just floating." When Sturrock returns to South Bank is up to the doctors, but either way, he knows he is lucky to be alive and keeps fit with swimming and regular exercise. And he is quick to acknowledge the support shown by the Hills family. "Penny, Mrs Hills, took Maria back and forth to the hospital every day," he adds. "Barry is very loyal and told me to take as long as I need." Age: 56 Then: Leading apprentice, then freelance jockey 1961-1984 Now: Work rider for Barry Hills High: Winning 1968 Stewards' Cup on Sky Diver Low: Suffering serious injuries when a car struck his mount in October 2001 |
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Today’s Birthday:
Mr N.Nuttall - born this day 1933. Won the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown 1958 aboard his own Stalbridge Park. He won the race again in 1961. Married 4 times, he died of lung cancer 0n July 29th 2007. |
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Today’s Birthday:
Mr N.Nuttall - born this day 1933. Won the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown 1958 aboard his own Stalbridge Park. He won the race again in 1961. Married 4 times, he died of lung cancer 0n July 29th 2007. |
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TambourineMan - Flashing Light ran 8 times as a juvenile in 1962. His form figures for that season read 41242232. He was ridden by a succession of jockeys that year including L.Piggott, R.Hutchinson,
J. Lindley, D.Johnstone (remember him?)and D.Keith who rode him when third. Flashing Light was trained by T.Corbett. |
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Whitwhitlaw, you mention Flashing Light's trainer T Corbett or Atty Corbett as he was known. That prompts me to mention one of his favoured jockeys Larry Wargen, now how many remember him ? Had very few outside rides but was used by Atty on a regular basis in late 1960s and booted home a few at the mixed Aintree Spring meeting at that time. A horse called Impassioned Plea springs to mind.
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PAULBU - Impassioned plea was also ridden by Stan Clayton, G.Moore and apprentice D.Lane
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PAULBU - Impassioned plea was also ridden by Stan Clayton, G.Moore and apprentice D.Lane
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Would Mr N Nuttall be the father of Richard Nuttall? - best known for riding that nutcase Harwell Lad - whose 2 claims to fame were winning a 3-runner race at Wincanton after pulling himself going out for a 2nd circuit and letting Ottawa make up 20 lengths and go past him, before coming back and beating him; then winning the Whitbread after having a big long p1ss in the parade ring beforehand, and being described as "a sh1t" by his jockey.
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*pulling himself UP* - though you wouldn't have put the other past him.
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Thanks WW....do you have FL's runs for '63/64?
See Ernie Johnson was in the Legends race at Donny last week...he must be well into his 60's now. [ This image is no longer available. ] TWICE in four years, Ernie Johnson was a central figure in racing's most prestigious race, the Derby. In 1969, he slipped up the inside to steer Blakeney to victory, while three years later on Rheingold he lost out by a short-head in one of the memorable Classic finishes, to the Lester Piggott-ridden Roberto. 'When I won it on Blakeney he was ideally suited to the course, both temperament-wise and action- wise,' Johnson remembers. 'But Rheingold, though his temperament was good, wasn't suited by the track, which beat him as much as Roberto.' Johnson, though, was also beaten by Piggott performing at an unmatchable intensity. 'Lester was at his best, and when he's at that point there's no one better in the world.' Over 20 years on and now in his mid-40s, the former champion apprentice and one of eight current jockeys to have passed the 1,000- winner mark, is in quieter waters. After spells in Ireland and Singapore his home base of trainers dried up, and Johnson has ridden just 11 winners in the last four years. 'But don't make it out as a sadness story because that's not the way it is,' says the man who will probably watch tomorrow's Derby on television. 'I'm just doing what I enjoy and happy going from day to day. At least I've won a Derby.' |
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ged - Mr N Nuttall or, to give him his full title, Sir Nicholas Keith Lillington Nuttall, 3rd Baronet,had two sons...Harry from his first marriage and Alexander from his 4th.
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I remember Larry Wargen riding, was he South African?
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If the internet is to be trusted, it looks like Larry Wargen is now head yardman at Luca Cumani's, and plays a mean game of snooker.
I remember him winning on his first 2 or 3 rides one flat season - about 1967 maybe? - which I remember noticing because he seemed to get very few rides, but wasn't an apprentice. |
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From March 2010:-
THE GODOLPHIN STUD AND STABLE STAFF AWARDS 2010 The Dedication to Racing Award 2010 is for those who have spent more than 10 years within the industry) WINNER Jimmy Scott – £5,000 and £5,000 to be shared amongst his colleagues RUNNER-UP Larry Wargen - £2,000 and £2,000 to be shared amongst his colleagues Employer – Luca Cumani Position – Head Yard/Feed Man After 53 years in the racing industry, Larry’s enthusiasm and dedication to racing is unquestionable and his commitment is confirmed when he says: “Racing has enriched my life and not once have I ever wanted to do anything else or live my life in any other way.” Larry has seen the industry from so many different angles in his time and his extensive knowledge is often the point of reference for many in the yard. He started out as an apprentice for Norman Bertie in May 1957 and one of his greatest highlights was when he was asked to ride Ballymoss around the parade ring at York in 1958. From that moment on, he knew that racing was to be his life. When Norman retired in 1961, his apprenticeship was transferred to Atty Corbett. In that year, Larry had his first ride and impressively, this was not only the first ride of over 1000 in his career, but also his first win. Despite many injuries over the years and struggles with his weight, Larry persevered and never lost the will to the ride, or the admiration for the sport that he loves. Larry’s next destination was Bedford House Stables, with Luca Cumani and this is where he is today. He arrived in 1987 as a Stable Lad and then became Head Yard/Feed Man. Larry has always formed strong bonds with horses and particularly enjoys the challenge of some more difficult horses. His favourite of the Cumani string is Zomaradah, who he has travelled all over the world with. Larry says: “At 68 years old I still love the early morning’s, winter or summer alike, when I walk into the yard and the day begins.” |
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...and from the Newmarket Journal, a report of a snooker match in April 2012 from the Newmarket and District League:-
Cheveley Road A 2 Fordham RBL 3 THE league leaders were pushed all the way by a strong Cheveley challenge. In the opening snooker game, Graham Arnold played a good game against the home side’s Tom Campbell, winning 51-27. Veteran Larry Wargen was in top form in the next, knocking in breaks of 27 and 25 against Jason Theobald — who had a 22 himself — on his way to a 100-72 victory. |
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Happy Valley - great to hear that Declan Gillespie is doing well and remains in good form. Utter pro and nice guy as you rightly state. Thanks for the info, but what about the Asmussen anectdote? You`ve got us all sitting on the edge of our chairs
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Great stuff guys. Good to see a good thread on here for a change. Terrific pics TM.
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Top horses ridden in UK by Duncan Keith:
Group 1 Winners Lucyrowe, Humble Duty, Niksar, Charlottown, Prince Midge, Town Crier, Frontier Goddess, Approval, Linden Tree. Group 2 Winners Rock Roi, Prolific, Crozier, Ortis. Group 3 Winners Tacitus, Hot Brandy, Play High, Jakomima, Runnymede, Seventh Bride, Shoemaker. Listed Race Winners Quita II Big Handicap Winners Midsummer Night II, Princelone, Town Crier, The Plumbers Mate. |
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Another old favourite of mine was Richard Marshall. He rode for his father Bill and rode some good 2-y-o`s belonging to Mrs G Van Der Ploeg (I think that was their name). Anybody remember the Redcar course specialist which he rode for her in the 70s or any of the better horses to carry her colours? Speaking about colours, anybody remember her colours? I have a vague recollection of white with a broad green stripe, but I`m not sure. They were very prominent in the early 70s.
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wow tmm , some smashing horses duncan rode , one of my favs was crozier , was at the curragh when linden tree ran in the derby ..i think if i remember correctly his tail got caught in the gate and he was left a few lengths ...
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Indeed he did workrider, Crozier was a good un and Linden Tree too. I think Ortis carried Dr Carlo Vittadini`s famous colours, which became immortal with Grundy. Rock Roi was a very good stayer. Should have been a Group One winner, Won the Ascot Gold Cup but was later disqualified. Not sure who rode him that fateful day but it may have been Duncan Keith, a very good and somewhat under-rated jockey.
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I was just thinking if any of you old riders look in on here...we'd be well suited if you could recount the odd memory or two.
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the mightymac - G Van Der Ploeg's racing colours were, as you say,green, broad white stripe and sleeves and orange cap as carried by Hook Of Holland in the 1974 Derby. These colours were also worn by that good sprinter The Blues in the Prix De L'Abbaye 1974. Van Der Ploeg died four months after this event. Ryan Price then took over the horses from W Marshall.
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TheMightyM - well i was having a beer (in an Irish pub) in Singapore with my old friend the former Irish jockey and trainer Danny Murphy and Declan (who was drinking water) was up there staying with him for a few days. Naturally they got round to reminiscing about their days riding together and one particular race at the Curragh when Declan was on the Vincent O'Brien pacemaker and Cash on the heavily odds-on O'Brien favourite. They were drawn next to each other in the stalls and Danny was in there too. Asmussen said to Declan, now son or now boy, just set me a nice steady tempo. Declan, as you can imagine, didn't take kindly to such patronizing, told Asmussen he wouldn't see which way he fecking went and jump out, set the tempo to suit himself and bolted home. Asmussen had to return to a cacophony of cat-calls and boos.
About six months later, during the International Sale in HK, I happened to be invited to the same dinner as Cash who was a guest of Mark Richards the ex Sherwood and Gandolfo jockey and who now buys the horses for this HKJC sale. I asked Cash about Declan and fair play to Cash he said; "The ultimate pro. A man of few words but when he speaks he's always worth listening to." I hope you enjoyed this one. What's more, all of it is true!!! |