PAT HEALY: In this week’s blog Pat starts by arguing that it would be more productive to fine jockeys rather than ban them in light of the recent Pat Cosgrave incident. “…. hit with a huge fine, and I guarantee you, it won’t happen again.”
Pat Cosgrave ban
Pat Cosgrave (pictured below) is not the first, and he won’t be the last jockey to get his timing wrong. He was holding a double handful, on the best horse in the race and obviously thought he was going to coast home but he got caught on the line. It’s 100 percent human error, it’s unfortunate and shouldn’t have happened. Everyone knows how sorry he is, and everybody knows that he got a 28-day ban.
I’m probably in the minority here, and it’s a drum I’ve banged a fair bit in the blog before, but I just cannot see what good there is in banning Pat Cosgrave for 28 days. In my opinion it’s pure ridiculous. Now Pat Cosgrave loses his job, he loses his income for 28 days. That’s not going to make him a better jockey.
What happened, happened and my argument is; fine him £20,000, give the money to the Injured Jockeys Fund, but give him a chance to earn it back. Everyone will know in the future that they’re going to be hit with a huge fine, and I guarantee you, it won’t happen again.
Punchestown Festival this week
We’re looking forward to five fantastic days racing. For me the one horse I’m really looking forward to seeing is Galopin Des Champs on Wednesday. He’s the Gold Cup winner and is such an exciting horse. It’s great that Bravemansgame is coming over to take him on and hopefully we’re in for an exciting contest. I just hope that Galopin can continue his upward curve and have us all dreaming of great performances, by a racehorse that could be as good as we’ve seen, next season.
I’ll be staying with Clerk of the Course Brendan Sheridan and his wife Ann Marie. Brendan is like an older brother to me and the first year I stayed in Punchestown, 40 years ago, I shared a room with Brendan and his three brothers, in his Mam and Dad’s house in Kill. Now I stay with Brendan and Ann Marie and have an ensuite room all to myself, so times have changed!
Punchestown is a meeting I really enjoy. The mid-afternoon starts are a good fit, everyone can get their work done in the morning and they can roll on to the races and have a good time. I enjoy the social side of it too, going into Naas town in the evenings.
We want to wish Conor O’Neill and the team at Punchestown the best of luck for the week ahead.
Scottish National win for Christian Williams
I’m thrilled for Christian Williams and his family. We all know the story about his daughter, Betsy. As a father and as a family, it’s your worst nightmare. Betsy is in our thoughts and in our prayers.
Kitty’s Light just showed that when Christian has one in mind and maps it out, there’s no better man for the big day. Christian is a great character, I always love meeting him and he’s always great fun to be around. Well done to him and his team, and we’re thinking of him and his family going forward.
Guineas trials
We had the Guineas trials from Newmarket and Newbury last week. It was unfortunate what happened with Frankie [Dettori] and Chaldean, and it just goes to show that this game is never straightforward.
Thankfully both Frankie and Chaldean were okay. It’s onward and upward for them now. Chaldean finished the race loose, but you could at least say he had a racecourse gallop!
From an Irish point of view, we’re just waiting to see what Dermot Weld will decide to do with Tahiyra. She really excited us last year with her performance at the Curragh, when she beat Meditate in the Moyglare. It’s going to be interesting to see if Tahiyra will rock up in the 1000 Guineas in Newmarket.
With the 2000 Guineas, obviously we know the high regard that Aidan [O’Brien] holds Auguste Rodin in and I don’t think I’ve seen one to match him just yet.
Until next week.
PAT
