Mike Smith is a great jockey

[brockguy]

Originally Posted by CSC

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.

Lemaire has first choice in France for the Aga Khan horses. I would be shocked if Soumillion didnt get it to be honest. I think he would like the job of riding top horses and having a less hectic workload here (as there wouldnt be racing everyday!).

The problem Murtagh and Kinane before him had was that they wanted to be very close to the stable, riding work in the mornings and getting to know the horses that way. With Coolmore this didnt happen and they got more and more frustrated with the fact that they were simply riding afternoons and taking orders.

I can't see Fallon returning and none of the English based jocks scream out to me as being the type. I would be shocked if Heffernan and O'Donoghue would be deemed good enough either so it leads me to Soumillion!!