Mike Smith is a great jockey

[classhandicapper]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

B/c he drinks wine with Chantal? He may well be classy but I don't know exactly what you are basing it on....The stories I've heard of him when he was in the Toga colony in the early 90's surely aren't too positive behind the scenes.

I called him classy because of the way he has carried himself under intense pressure and because of the way he cares about the horse.

[keithting]

Not to change the subject - but I'm interested in who this group would name as a great jockey - I saw some GREAT riders in the 70's and 80's in NY - -Cauthen, Cordero, Velasquez, etc.

but in his prime, for my money, I'd take Laffit Pincay, Jr. in a heartbeat

[my miss storm cat]

I automatically thought of Brett Prebble but since a lot of people don't really know who he is over here I'll say Fallon.

Masterful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHXc1...eature=related

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

I automatically thought of Brett Prebble but since a lot of people don't really know who he is over here I'll say Fallon.

Masterful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHXc1...eature=related

You follow Euro racing and I wanted to ask someone who did but is it true that Murtagh is being ditched by Ballydoyle? I saw something yesterday that said Christophe Soumillon is the leading candidate to take over. I think Soumillon is a good rider.

[my miss storm cat]

Yeah agree a very good rider.

http://www.derbytrail.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39366

Maybe I'm crazy and Brock might have some insight but I think Fallon returns.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

You follow Euro racing and I wanted to ask someone who did but is it true that Murtagh is being ditched by Ballydoyle? I saw something yesterday that said Christophe Soumillon is the leading candidate to take over. I think Soumillon is a good rider.

Interesting name, Julien Leparioux has come up.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by CSC

Interesting name, Julien Leparioux has come up.

I wonder if he'd even be interested. He's carved out a nice niche in America and has the backing of a few big stables. To say his Breeders' Cup was disappointing is an understatement since he rode in 12 of 14 races. It seems like he'll keep getting on decent 2YOs until they've McPeeked.

[my miss storm cat]

Wow you just coined a great phrase!

Bravo, Sir.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

I wonder if he'd even be interested. He's carved out a nice niche in America and has the backing of a few big stables. To say his Breeders' Cup was disappointing is an understatement since he rode in 12 of 14 races. It seems like he'll keep getting on decent 2YOs until they've McPeeked.

Who exactly is he first call for?
Mcpeek is all I can think of.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

I wonder if he'd even be interested. He's carved out a nice niche in America and has the backing of a few big stables. To say his Breeders' Cup was disappointing is an understatement since he rode in 12 of 14 races. It seems like he'll keep getting on decent 2YOs until they've McPeeked.

It going to be an interesting decision whoever Ballydoyle/Coolmore choose.

There is precedent of US based riders going over, Gary Stevens the last when he rode for Stoute primarily. Asmussen and Cauthen earlier.

I agree that Soumillon would be a great choice, however I don't see the advantage of him uprooting his family when he has 1st call for many French Trainer's and he is basically the no.1 for the powerful Aga Khan outfit. Lateral move to me but if it happens it wouldn't surprise me either way.

There's not much out there in terms of top talent. Smullen is stuck with Weld, Hughes with Channon, Buick with Gosden, and Moore with Stoute.

Fallon probably is the most likely safest choice, though we have seen this rerun before. Leparoux is an interesting name being floated.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by keithting

Not to change the subject - but I'm interested in who this group would name as a great jockey - I saw some GREAT riders in the 70's and 80's in NY - -Cauthen, Cordero, Velasquez, etc.

but in his prime, for my money, I'd take Laffit Pincay, Jr. in a heartbeat

Laffit Pincay is my top choice. Cordero would probably be second.

Kent D was awesome before he succumbed to spontaneous brain damage.

P.Val as well, until that fateful ride on the nondescript Bill Spawr filly, Long Long Trail.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

Laffit Pincay is my top choice. Cordero would probably be second.

Kent D was awesome before he succumbed to spontaneous brain damage.

P.Val as well, until that fateful ride on the nondescript Bill Spawr filly, Long Long Trail.

When was that in relation to when he stopped riding Paddy to let the other nice horsie pass him so he could be 2nd?

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

When was that in relation to when he stopped riding Paddy to let the other nice horsie pass him so he could be 2nd?

Hmm, about 20 years, give or take.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

Hmm, about 20 years, give or take.