Taken from the ATR website... Walsh ponders Flat training career 27 Feb 2014 Ruby Walsh would consider training Flat horses when he retires from the saddle. The star Irish National Hunt jockey believes it would make more economic sense to snub jumps racing when he eventually calls time on a distinguished riding career. Walsh, 34, is, however, adamant retirement is not yet even a consideration. "The lifespan of a jockey has definitely increased in the last 10 years," he said at the Irish Examiner sports breakfast in Cork. "Whereas 34, 35 used to be the norm, it now seems to be 40 so hopefully I've a few more years in me, but if I was to go training horses I would train Flat horses. "Flat racing is a business, it's where the money is. "Jump racing, unfortunately, is the poor relation. Flat racing is global, worldwide. "Jump racing is confined between ourselves, England, a small bit in France, a tiny bit in Australia and a little bit in America. "We were in Japan (for Blackstairmountain's victory in the Nakayama Grand Jump last April), there's big prize-money there, but there's very few races. "Flat racing is global." This article both surprises me and dosnt if am honest with you...(sorry if that sounds funny...) Surprised at the total frankness that a man associated with the 'National Hunt' scene would be so bold in his admission that there is no money in the jumps game. And that he would not hesitate to go straight into Flat racing after he retires from riding and into his time as a trainer. Ruby turning his back on the jumps scene, that is an amazing admission for me... I will make no bones about it a much prefer the Nation Hunt scene to the Flat and I can appreciate both, but im a winter man when it comes to racing in either code. The fact that Ruby is saying that there is no money in the jumps scene makes me wonder what the lesser stables and yards are doing when they don't get anywhere near the publicity or prize money that he has won over his years as a jump jockey. I don't want to pick any individual yard out, as there are quiet a few, but the top yards of Mullins, Henderson and Nicholls dominate in such a way that the little boys will always struggle. These small yards are trying to get by on meagre winnings, and can only dream of winning a top prize at the festivals, and we all know they don't make the money they should. But we are eternally grateful for what they do so that we can enjoy a sport that we love so much... Over the water in Ireland we have the monster that is Ballydoyle and all their power in strength, money and horses. Its not quiet as one sided over here for the flat trainers but the Stoutes, Cecils and Hannons are very much on top of things in the English flat scene. But there is still a disparity between the top trainers and the smaller outfits, but the money on the whole is better. I get that, even without Ruby confirming it, but we need a healthy National Hunt scene, if only to prolong the racing careers of some the flat horses. The other point that sort of vexes me from what Ruby is saying is that one of our leading jump jocks isn't really pushing the jumps scene even if the facts are right in what he says. The money IS in the flat code, and he is also right that the flat scene IS global in a very big way from what the National Hunt can ever dream of getting close to. But we need both and we need them to compliment each other in making the whole racing scene better. You only have to look at what the charge is for Frankel covering a mare just the once, you don't get that sort of prize money on a full card at Huntingdon for example. Yes that's where the money is at, in the breeding, but there has to more to horse racing than just the money. Or am I missing point, and it is all about the money...?!?! So it begs a question as to what future dos the National Hunt scene have...?? We have the biggest and best four days of jumps racing coming up at Cheltenham soon and one of the leading players in those 4 days is sort of putting it down a wee bit...??? If I am missing the point a bit then please let me know. I am no great thinker in the world of horse racing, my own selections will testify to that, but I am an avid fan of it and take a lot of joy out of watching it... Please let me know what your thoughts are...
If you are going to make it your livelyhood, Red, then it IS all about the money. The ones who do it for fun, are the guys who combine it with farming, or some other career that gives you time and acreage to indulge a love of horseracing. Jockeys and trainers are not paid to entertain the likes of you and me, but to produce results for THEIR employers, i.e. owners or retainers. Other than that as you say, it's gravy time for a handful of trainers with rich owners, and cold porridge for the rest. If jumps racing was to take a greater hold elsewhere, and therefore prize money be greatly increased then things would change. But until then, the flat is the place to be if you want to make a living at it. It is regretable, and I'm with you about preferences of the two codes, but money talks. Every time.
Walsh knows the script, all about the class on the flat, jumps is for the gelded plodders and flat castoffs. The small yards stay above water by hitting the pink buttons on betfair when they have a fancied horse.
AP said he'd only go into training if it was on the flat and some big name owner gave him so nice 2 year olds (may have been Al Thani). They know that if you're in it to make money then it's a flat trainer you have to be.
is there any comparison to a steeplechaser going about its 'business' -and a flat horse running laterally round a track or in a straight line ? while the thrill for many is their 'selection' (moneywise) -achieving its aim--i like others take a more aesthetic view. Its like those aholes in the shop who shout for a horse to fall because its beating 'theirs' -they only look on 'racing' as a gambling outlet -never 'waste' money on going to the races....lot more aholes to be met at flat meets --attracts social climbers and poseurs in equal measure--NH for all its shortcomings contains the 'soul' of racing..
Aesthetics can be in the eye of the beholder. Frankel attests to that. Ever seen the three thousand metre steeplechase in an Olympics? It's a wonderful event, but it hardly gets the viewer on the edge of the seat like the 100 metre sprint final.
