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Aidan O’Brien has spoken out against “stone age” race-riding tactics and called for a culture change in the way stewards enforce the rules on interference. The dominant Flat-racing trainer was careful to confine most of his comments to Irish racing but also noted a couple of incidents in Britain that had irked him this year, and said it was time for a plain-speaking discussion in public after years of discreet lobbying of the authorities had failed to bring change.
“What we all want is the best horse to win all the time,” O’Brien told the Guardian, speaking with a measure of anger he rarely shows. “There was an old thing of jockeys closing the door on other jockeys and not letting out other jockeys and taking their ground. I think that’s all stone-age stuff and it’s dangerous.
“This thing of horses drifting off their lines and drifting into the rail and the stewards saying it’s race-riding, that is all absolutely nonsense. I think no horse should ever stop another horse from winning. It’s not safe, the things that are allowed to happen.
“Over the last few years, the senior jockeys are allowed to do these things. I’ve seen riders getting injured in falls and [the jockeys responsible] get suspended for careless riding; that’s not careless riding, that’s dangerous riding and those suspensions, they should be weeks, not days. And that’s the only way it’ll be stamped out.
“It has to stop, in my opinion. Everybody has kept quiet for too long. Jockeys have to start having respect for each other. The suspensions need to be big. It’s not the horse’s fault, or the trainer’s or the owner’s. People’s lives have to be respected.”
O’Brien was speaking in support of an article by Kevin Blake on the Attheraces website, calling for stewards to enforce existing rules with greater rigour in Britain and Ireland, accompanied by a shocking video compilation of incidents from both countries. Blake’s article was retweeted by senior racing figures such as the jockey Jim Crowley and the trainer Stuart Williams, who added: “These incidents would not be allowed to happen in any other major racing jurisdiction in the world.”
Stuart Williams (@WilliamsStuart)
These incidents would not be allowed to happen in any other major racing jurisdiction in the world without very sever consequences, they are almost unheard of precisely because the resulting ban would far outweigh any glory on the day, an effort to keep straight & safe, min req. https://t.co/cZfClL0fxa
July 14, 2020
Echoing a point made by Blake, O’Brien believes the existing rules should be sufficient to deal with the problem of interference, if applied correctly. “The stewards have to step up to the plate. It’s doing racing an injustice because it’s stopping people from getting involved. We need punters to have confidence, to be able to have a bet and be confident that the best horse won. And the most important thing is, we’ve seen jockeys get bad falls and we’ve seen jockeys get badly injured and it’s because it’s not being policed properly.”
Blake’s article applied to both Britain and Ireland, though he feels the more serious incidents occur more often in Ireland. O’Brien said: “We don’t ever say anything in England because we’re always only visitors and we feel very grateful to be welcomed in England. It wouldn’t be our place to comment on England.
“But in Ireland, we have been on to them [senior officials] for the last five or six years. And it’s a little bit sad because nothing’s being done about it. The stipes are saying: ’This is race-riding.’ That’s race-riding in the stone ages, not in today’s world. Jockeys have to do everything reasonable to keep their lines and they don’t. You see jockeys having to snatch up and it’s only a matter of time before there’s somebody seriously injured.”
Without wanting to name names, he objected to a couple of incidents in Britain that drew no official sanction. Of one opposing jockey, he said: “He wasn’t going to win but he leaned on Ryan [Moore] all the way up the straight, so Ryan couldn’t win either.”
The ruling bodies in Britain and Ireland indicated that no imminent change is planned in this area. A spokesman for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board said: “The safety of horse and rider is paramount at all times. The stewarding committee continually monitors the rules and we continue to strive for proportionate sanctions and greater consistency on a daily basis.”
The British Horseracing Authority also emphasised safety and said there had been a 33% reduction in the rate of interference offences since 2010, a statistic that appears open to more than one interpretation. The BHA also pointed out that the rules in this area had been addressed just four years ago.
A spokesman added: “We are always prepared to discuss regulatory matters with participants should their representative bodies make us aware of widespread concern, and in relation to riders have an established process for this through the biennial seminars which all jockeys are required to attend. Additionally, we continue to engage with the independent Judicial Panel to ensure the topic of rider and horse safety is considered sufficiently when interference cases are heard on appeal.”
“What we all want is the best horse to win all the time,” O’Brien told the Guardian, speaking with a measure of anger he rarely shows. “There was an old thing of jockeys closing the door on other jockeys and not letting out other jockeys and taking their ground. I think that’s all stone-age stuff and it’s dangerous.
“This thing of horses drifting off their lines and drifting into the rail and the stewards saying it’s race-riding, that is all absolutely nonsense. I think no horse should ever stop another horse from winning. It’s not safe, the things that are allowed to happen.
“Over the last few years, the senior jockeys are allowed to do these things. I’ve seen riders getting injured in falls and [the jockeys responsible] get suspended for careless riding; that’s not careless riding, that’s dangerous riding and those suspensions, they should be weeks, not days. And that’s the only way it’ll be stamped out.
“It has to stop, in my opinion. Everybody has kept quiet for too long. Jockeys have to start having respect for each other. The suspensions need to be big. It’s not the horse’s fault, or the trainer’s or the owner’s. People’s lives have to be respected.”
O’Brien was speaking in support of an article by Kevin Blake on the Attheraces website, calling for stewards to enforce existing rules with greater rigour in Britain and Ireland, accompanied by a shocking video compilation of incidents from both countries. Blake’s article was retweeted by senior racing figures such as the jockey Jim Crowley and the trainer Stuart Williams, who added: “These incidents would not be allowed to happen in any other major racing jurisdiction in the world.”
Stuart Williams (@WilliamsStuart)
These incidents would not be allowed to happen in any other major racing jurisdiction in the world without very sever consequences, they are almost unheard of precisely because the resulting ban would far outweigh any glory on the day, an effort to keep straight & safe, min req. https://t.co/cZfClL0fxa
July 14, 2020
Echoing a point made by Blake, O’Brien believes the existing rules should be sufficient to deal with the problem of interference, if applied correctly. “The stewards have to step up to the plate. It’s doing racing an injustice because it’s stopping people from getting involved. We need punters to have confidence, to be able to have a bet and be confident that the best horse won. And the most important thing is, we’ve seen jockeys get bad falls and we’ve seen jockeys get badly injured and it’s because it’s not being policed properly.”
Blake’s article applied to both Britain and Ireland, though he feels the more serious incidents occur more often in Ireland. O’Brien said: “We don’t ever say anything in England because we’re always only visitors and we feel very grateful to be welcomed in England. It wouldn’t be our place to comment on England.
“But in Ireland, we have been on to them [senior officials] for the last five or six years. And it’s a little bit sad because nothing’s being done about it. The stipes are saying: ’This is race-riding.’ That’s race-riding in the stone ages, not in today’s world. Jockeys have to do everything reasonable to keep their lines and they don’t. You see jockeys having to snatch up and it’s only a matter of time before there’s somebody seriously injured.”
Without wanting to name names, he objected to a couple of incidents in Britain that drew no official sanction. Of one opposing jockey, he said: “He wasn’t going to win but he leaned on Ryan [Moore] all the way up the straight, so Ryan couldn’t win either.”
The ruling bodies in Britain and Ireland indicated that no imminent change is planned in this area. A spokesman for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board said: “The safety of horse and rider is paramount at all times. The stewarding committee continually monitors the rules and we continue to strive for proportionate sanctions and greater consistency on a daily basis.”
The British Horseracing Authority also emphasised safety and said there had been a 33% reduction in the rate of interference offences since 2010, a statistic that appears open to more than one interpretation. The BHA also pointed out that the rules in this area had been addressed just four years ago.
A spokesman added: “We are always prepared to discuss regulatory matters with participants should their representative bodies make us aware of widespread concern, and in relation to riders have an established process for this through the biennial seminars which all jockeys are required to attend. Additionally, we continue to engage with the independent Judicial Panel to ensure the topic of rider and horse safety is considered sufficiently when interference cases are heard on appeal.”
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Chris Cook in the Guardian newspaper
@claimsfive
Wed 15 Jul 2020 18.19 BST
Last modified on Wed 15 Jul 2020 21.19 BST
@claimsfive
Wed 15 Jul 2020 18.19 BST
Last modified on Wed 15 Jul 2020 21.19 BST
Of course he would never go into races mob handed where his runners effectively block off the opposition.
didnt stoute say he wouldnt run another horse in ireland or was it irish derby after obriens mob bullied his tartan bearer a few years back.?
In an effort to test how much support there is across the industry for this proposed clampdown on careless riding, I sent this article and the associated video to a small group of highly-respected individuals in the sport and asked if they would be willing to offer their full support to the proposal. The following is a list of those that wanted to make their support for it known:
Aidan O’Brien
AP McCoy
Jamie Spencer
John Oxx
Joseph O’Brien
Michael Kinane
Oisin Murphy
Pat Smullen
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-3703696/
Jamie-Spencer-Shergar-Cup-picking-three-day-ban-Ascot.html
One of the worst imo due to the apparent blatancy of it. God knows how Spencer got off with a three day ban.
I think Ascot was a RUK track at the time, so we'll excuse Kevin for not including it!
One of the high profile ones that sticks in my mind is Al Kazeem in the Eclipse when Paul Hanagan and Mukhadram were lucky not to put through the rail. It cost him at least second place and a lot of prize money. James Doyle got off with a 5 day ban.
Kevin could have included one of Joseph O'Brien's less than subtle moments in the saddle, Gleneagles passing the post first in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium), and used the ride as an example as to what should happen in such circumstances - yes, disqualification!
That said, the French apparently have now adopted the UK's crazy rules
Aidan O’Brien
AP McCoy
Jamie Spencer
John Oxx
Joseph O’Brien
Michael Kinane
Oisin Murphy
Pat Smullen
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-3703696/
Jamie-Spencer-Shergar-Cup-picking-three-day-ban-Ascot.html
One of the worst imo due to the apparent blatancy of it. God knows how Spencer got off with a three day ban.
I think Ascot was a RUK track at the time, so we'll excuse Kevin for not including it!
One of the high profile ones that sticks in my mind is Al Kazeem in the Eclipse when Paul Hanagan and Mukhadram were lucky not to put through the rail. It cost him at least second place and a lot of prize money. James Doyle got off with a 5 day ban.
Kevin could have included one of Joseph O'Brien's less than subtle moments in the saddle, Gleneagles passing the post first in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium), and used the ride as an example as to what should happen in such circumstances - yes, disqualification!
That said, the French apparently have now adopted the UK's crazy rules
Some shockers in Kevin's video compilation.
Personally I wouldn't have included Swindler, a quirky sort and just one light tap with the whip and he's caused a fall. I suppose they justified the 8 day ban by the fact the horse was already edging left when the jock administered what was a 'love tap'.
In some of the other clips the riding was plainly dangerous with the intent of keeping a horse from getting a clear run.
Personally I wouldn't have included Swindler, a quirky sort and just one light tap with the whip and he's caused a fall. I suppose they justified the 8 day ban by the fact the horse was already edging left when the jock administered what was a 'love tap'.
In some of the other clips the riding was plainly dangerous with the intent of keeping a horse from getting a clear run.
the video compilation can be viewed here:
https://www.attheraces.com/blogs/kevin-blake/14-July-2020/
stewarding-of-the-interference-rules-has-to-change-before-there-is-a-tragedy
https://www.attheraces.com/blogs/kevin-blake/14-July-2020/
stewarding-of-the-interference-rules-has-to-change-before-there-is-a-tragedy
Pot calling the kettle black. The king of team tactics should know.
'We need punters to have confidence, to be able to have a bet and be confident that the best horse won'. The man is a flipping comedian.
What he really means is 'We need punters to have confidence, to be able to have a bet and be confident that our horse has won'. 'Whichever one it was'.
'We need punters to have confidence, to be able to have a bet and be confident that the best horse won'. The man is a flipping comedian.
What he really means is 'We need punters to have confidence, to be able to have a bet and be confident that our horse has won'. 'Whichever one it was'.
Had to rub my eyes and make sure the date on my laptop isn't April 1.
Is this a knee jerk reaction to Ger Lyons saying it's like playing against a 'football team' up against O'brien.
Sea the Stars against 3 O'brien runners at York.
Care to comment Aiden?
He's feckin deluded.
Is this a knee jerk reaction to Ger Lyons saying it's like playing against a 'football team' up against O'brien.
Sea the Stars against 3 O'brien runners at York.
Care to comment Aiden?
He's feckin deluded.
I can put it into a nutshell:
If you have rules that essentially say to jockeys, as long as you win by more than a head you are virtually certain to keep the race (though you may get a few days holiday), then you are asking for trouble, imo.
Someone commented recently that watching the old races, how in general the riding was a lot cleaner and the use of whip a lot more sympathetic (obviously he wasn't referring to Piggott in a couple of Derbys).
But this is easily explained, in those days the threat of disqualification was a REAL one, which in turn promotes better jockeyship and improves safety.
If you have rules that essentially say to jockeys, as long as you win by more than a head you are virtually certain to keep the race (though you may get a few days holiday), then you are asking for trouble, imo.
Someone commented recently that watching the old races, how in general the riding was a lot cleaner and the use of whip a lot more sympathetic (obviously he wasn't referring to Piggott in a couple of Derbys).
But this is easily explained, in those days the threat of disqualification was a REAL one, which in turn promotes better jockeyship and improves safety.
Have a few other trainers worked out how to stop his unsporting tactics IK wonder?
I'd never have thought That could have come from AOB.
We pick a winner, the bookie withhold payment citing "money laundering" or id verification issue; we pick the principal runner/most fancied from a stable eg AOB with multiple runners in the race, the outsider wins.
We pick a winner, the bookie withhold payment citing "money laundering" or id verification issue; we pick the principal runner/most fancied from a stable eg AOB with multiple runners in the race, the outsider wins.
It seems to me that only George is capable of seeing reason on this, some of the stuff posted by certain people would be more at home in comic books, I remember my first insight into the change in British punters attitude , I had gone to the 1988 G.N. meeting and was astounded to hear punters roaring for horses to fall, to say I was shocked is an understatement , they were screaming like lunatics at most of the fences unreal is how I would describe it. In all my years of racing in both Ireland and the U.K. I never experienced anything like it.Sadly if Aiden , who I agree is not blameless , is not listened to then this game will have a sad ending, its ****footing to the bookies and its fear of same, has caused a mentality to arise that is simply unworkable and totally dangerous.
I had to check it wasn't April 1 when I saw this - it reads like a spoof article. I'm still not convinced he isn't taking the pi$$ - Aiden complaining about riding tactics!
Jul 16, 2020 -- 11:44AM, GEORGE.B wrote:
I can put it into a nutshell:If you have rules that essentially say to jockeys, as long as you win by more than a head you are virtually certain to keep the race (though you may get a few days holiday), then you are asking for trouble, imo.Someone commented recently that watching the old races, how in general the riding was a lot cleaner and the use of whip a lot more sympathetic (obviously he wasn't referring to Piggott in a couple of Derbys).But this is easily explained, in those days the threat of disqualification was a REAL one, which in turn promotes better jockeyship and improves safety.
Very good post George. I've been saying for the last couple of years the majority of flat jockeys are using the whip more to hide their lack of strength.
I firmly believe if a jockey causes a fellow jockey in a race serious or permanent injury then that jockey can be taken to court by the other jockey to a civil or criminal court of law just like any injured party for a definitive answer or solution. It must not be confined to horse racing rules/body or jurisdiction.
I haven't forgotten that Kempton race which resulted in Freddy Tylicki sustaining a very serious injury.
Caused by G Gibbons who hasn’t been sighted since.
I agree with what O brien is saying but he is the last person to be qualified to give an opinion.
I agree with what O brien is saying but he is the last person to be qualified to give an opinion.
Yes jonjon and I backed that horse that went on to win the race and so obviously saw that horrible incident approaching the bend in the back straight.
The other day Aiden was moaning about prize money for a big race in England and he was sending the horse to France instead,has he not noticed a pandemic going on and paying spectators not at the races. Usually he is the perfect gent but seems to have lost his marbles just lately
^^
Put it down to being lockdown for several months. He needs to get a perspective on life, not just horse racing which is only a sport to most.
Put it down to being lockdown for several months. He needs to get a perspective on life, not just horse racing which is only a sport to most.
Didn't at the time and till don't see anything whatsoever wrong with the three O Brien runners rides against Sea The Stars at York. ?
Well done sparrow - always the voice of sanity and reason. Clearly the only lives that matter at present aren't those of jockeys!
Well done sparrow - always the voice of sanity and reason. Clearly the only lives that matter at present aren't those of jockeys!
When you have the best horses it is in your interest to try and remove "race riding" tactics. The examples provided are dangerous/careless riding and there are rules against this. All that needs to happen are for the stewards to rigorously enforce these.
Is it being suggested that all jockeys just let a horse through if it is blocked in. Give up ground if a horse (at that point in the race) is travelling better than you. Come off the rail is a horse is trying to come up your inner?
There is a clear distinction between "tactical riding" and dangerous riding, and imo we should not try to prevent the former. What next horses running in lanes?
Is it being suggested that all jockeys just let a horse through if it is blocked in. Give up ground if a horse (at that point in the race) is travelling better than you. Come off the rail is a horse is trying to come up your inner?
There is a clear distinction between "tactical riding" and dangerous riding, and imo we should not try to prevent the former. What next horses running in lanes?
the time has come to restrict trainers to a max. of 2 horses in group/grade 1 races more trainers would be encouraged to enter horses in these races without the obrien/mullins/elliot battalions which seem to overwhelm a lot of the top races.
This mainly happens in Ireland where there are far fewer trainers with Group race aspirations. GB trainers have been understandably reluctant to run in Ireland under Covid19 rules so Aiden has half of the runners in Group races. That however is a problem for Irish racing and should not affect policy in GB.
LoyalHoncho
17 Jul 20 08:54
Joined: 28 May 10
| Topic/replies: 4,421 | Blogger: LoyalHoncho's blog
Didn't at the time and till don't see anything whatsoever wrong with the three O Brien runners rides against Sea The Stars at York. ?
Well done sparrow - always the voice of sanity and reason. Clearly the only lives that matter at present aren't those of jockeys!
Look at the race again and think team tactics
I know O'Brien is a religious man but his blatant parting of the red sea and attempt to close it before STS could get thru would've made God blush
It was an obvious attempt at a TEAM of horses trying to get one horse(mastercraftsman)an advantage and disadvantage STS
I don't think some people on here realise TEAMWORK IS NOT ALLOWED in racing.
I'll ask again. Name a trainer who has a reputation for teaming up on rival horses.
17 Jul 20 08:54
Joined: 28 May 10
| Topic/replies: 4,421 | Blogger: LoyalHoncho's blog
Didn't at the time and till don't see anything whatsoever wrong with the three O Brien runners rides against Sea The Stars at York. ?
Well done sparrow - always the voice of sanity and reason. Clearly the only lives that matter at present aren't those of jockeys!
Look at the race again and think team tactics
I know O'Brien is a religious man but his blatant parting of the red sea and attempt to close it before STS could get thru would've made God blush
It was an obvious attempt at a TEAM of horses trying to get one horse(mastercraftsman)an advantage and disadvantage STS
I don't think some people on here realise TEAMWORK IS NOT ALLOWED in racing.
I'll ask again. Name a trainer who has a reputation for teaming up on rival horses.
Fire, the thread is about the prevalence of careless riding, improper riding and/or dangerous riding. None of these things apply to the four runner Juddmonte of 2009 you mention. Good luck.
If you set your horses up to let one through and close the gap on another then that could cause a terrible accident.
STS was too quick though and got thru the gap.
The INTENTION was there.
That is why Aiden O'Brien should be the LAST person to comment on race-riding and safety.
STS was too quick though and got thru the gap.
The INTENTION was there.
That is why Aiden O'Brien should be the LAST person to comment on race-riding and safety.
well said aiden and to help enforce it....if a stable has multiple runners and one of those interferes with another runner, all the stables entries are disqualified
^^
I 2nd that too; one dodgy apple from the same cart the entire cart deemed dodgy too to preserve the integrity of the sport and uphold fair play.
I 2nd that too; one dodgy apple from the same cart the entire cart deemed dodgy too to preserve the integrity of the sport and uphold fair play.
Maybe we are behind the times over this side of the pond. US racing has been hot on interference for years.
shonydigon17 Jul 20 10:18Joined: 15 Jun 02 | Topic/replies: 24 | Blogger: shonydigon's blog
the time has come to restrict trainers to a max. of 2 horses in group/grade 1 races more trainers would be encouraged to enter horses in these races without the obrien/mullins/elliot battalions which seem to overwhelm a lot of the top races .
So according to you , any tripe should be allowed run in Group Grade 1 races if their trainers enter them, the whole process of horse racing is to upgrade its horses, not its trainers...
the time has come to restrict trainers to a max. of 2 horses in group/grade 1 races more trainers would be encouraged to enter horses in these races without the obrien/mullins/elliot battalions which seem to overwhelm a lot of the top races .
So according to you , any tripe should be allowed run in Group Grade 1 races if their trainers enter them, the whole process of horse racing is to upgrade its horses, not its trainers...
Some shockers in amongst that lot.
Would have no problem if we went down the USA stewarding route.
Would have no problem if we went down the USA stewarding route.
Jul 17, 2020 -- 1:36PM, Fire-and-Ice wrote:
If you set your horses up to let one through and close the gap on another then that could cause a terrible accident.STS was too quick though and got thru the gap.The INTENTION was there.That is why Aiden O'Brien should be the LAST person to comment on race-riding and safety.
If you look at the race again it looked to me as though Mick was actually taking the piss outve them. He could easily have come outside, one horse wider, no big deal. It's a stretch imop to assume the O'Brien camp had a plan to do what you think they were trying to do.
Well, there ya go, 10 day ban for Havlin in the first. Stewards getting tough, but will it last?
Talk of an appeal, however, two jocks and horses were lucky not to end up on the deck.
Talk of an appeal, however, two jocks and horses were lucky not to end up on the deck.
Just watched it.
They need to give them a month holiday to be more careful .....scary stuff.
They need to give them a month holiday to be more careful .....scary stuff.
I'd be the 1st person here to applaud AOB/Coolmore if their multiple runners in a race is running on merit and not to "engineer" a favourable result for the team especially its principal runners eg Saxon Warrior and Churchill in the 2000G and deliberately inconveniencing their main protagonists.
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