BARRY GERAGHTY is set to be announced as Tony McCoy’s successor as retained jockey for leading owner JP McManus. The two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning rider partnered the McManus-owned Jezki and More Of That to festival success last year and has been hot favourite with the bookmakers to take up the role. Speculation has been rife as to the identity of McCoy’s replacement since the 20-time champion announced his retirement plan in February but the week before Royal Ascot, McManus’s racing manager Frank Berry told the Racing Post there was “no news” on the situation. An announcement that Geraghty will be the chosen one moved a significant step closer on Sunday as Berry told the Daily Mail: “Hopefully it will happen. It is just not finalised but it will be. There might be something during the week about it.” Geraghty, 35, was installed as 1-6 favourite for the McManus job in the immediate aftermath of McCoy’s announcement but his odds drifted as a number of other riders were linked with one of jump racing’s most coveted roles. The two-time Irish champion has a formidable record at the highest level and enjoyed big-race success in McManus’s famous green and gold colours at Cheltenham last year when landing the Champion Hurdle on Jezki and the World Hurdle on More Of That, rides McCoy passed up in favour of partnering My Tent Or Yours and At Fishers Cross. Geraghty, who has been number one rider for Nicky Henderson since Mick Fitzgerald retired in 2008, also successfully deputised for the suspended McCoy on Shutthefrontdoor in last year’s Irish Grand National.
Whether or not his agent has played a blinder in the negotiations will, I guess, become clear later in the campaign when the contract takes effect in earnest and the exact ‘terms and conditions’ become clear. Hardly surprising news, re Geraghty landing the role, as it has been the worst kept secret in racing since THAT man announced his retirement. Don’t blame him for ‘signing’ in the slightest as the retainer guarantees him a huge sum before he even sits on a horse. As detailed many times elsewhere with Mr Henderson he received not a penny in this regard. And in a profession where your next ride could be your last only a simpleton would turn down such a huge guaranteed income.
So Barney who will Mr Henderson have as his #1 ? I don't rate Andrew tinkler, I like Nico but surely they will want someone with abit more experience?!
Whoever gets the role, if in fact anyone does outright, will be far from a ‘stable jockey’ as they won’t be first choice for any of the McManus, Mr Waley-Cohen or ‘Tiggy Wiggy’ crew animals housed at Seven Barrows. Given the emerging association between ‘Dazzler’ Jacob and Simon Munir all the latters horses could be handed to Jacob rather than Mr Henderson’s ‘anointed’ as well. If you take all of these beast out of the equation then the position isn’t anywhere near as lucrative as it first appears. I’ve no idea to be honest and the great man may prefer to use the best available or appoint an ‘interim’ until a top, top notcher becomes available or emerges. Personally, I’d appoint Liam Cooper who is one of those very rare things in NH racing – a jockey rather than a saddle monkey. I doubt very, very much though that he could be persuaded to leave Gigginstown for Seven Barrows as (a) he won’t be first choice on a lot of the horses and (b) he’s paid a whopping retainer in Ireland. In a year or two Sean Bowen could be in a very strong position as he looks, at the moment, to be heading to the top very quickly and at the top of the next generation emerging. Could he, at this time, be ‘courted’ by both Mr Henderson and Mr Nicholls?!?
Now then Swanny, calm down dear. Did the steward forget to put the tonic in your pre-lunchtime GnT?!? I see Betfair are quoting odds on Mr Henderson’s next ‘stable jockey’. I won’t be pernickety and say I can’t see how they can be termed ‘stable jockey’ when they won’t be eligible to ride an awful lots of the beasts barned in the ‘stable’. Instead I will relay the odds which are: 1/2 the de Boinville boy, 7/2 Noel ‘Touchy’ Fehily, 8/1 Aidan Coleman, 10/1 Jason Maguire, 12/1 ‘Dazzler’ Jacob, 16/1 Paddy Brennan, 20/1 Paul Townend, 25/1 Sean Bowen, 33/1 Brian Hughes, Dave Russell, Gav Sheehan, 66/1 THAT man, 100/1 the younger Mr Waley-Cohen, 1000/1 Vicky Pendleton, Mick Fitzgerald. I guess they think they are been ‘funny’ by quoting the last 4 names. The point to note from this market though is that the 2nd, 4th and 5th listed all have retainers from owners which they would have to break in order to take the post.
I tend to agree that Mr Henderson's stable is not as attractive as you'd first think because so many of his owners pick their own. If I was making the choice I would be inclined to go for Daryl Jacob.
SBC: It was my mum who drunk G&T's; her two sons have always been drinking good old beer like their dad, and her daughter, red wine I think!
I must say I rate Nico De Bonville very highly and am amazed more trainers do not hunt out his services. In the absence of a superstar jock he is as worthy as anyone for the post.
Hendersons yard are likely to struggle even more than they did last year now they've lost the services of Geraghty. I'm not knocking De Boinville or whoever takes over, I just believe Geraghty is on another level to any other jockey around, and is definately worth a good few pounds on every horse he rides. Lucky for Tony McCoy that he and JP are such great friends, as I'd of had McCoy sacked and Geraghty in along time before now. I expect well see JP have a big up turn in fortunes with his runners now Geraghty will be on board them all. As good as McCoy was day in day out, I feel his style of riding didn't always play to the strengths of top level horses, and as a result JPs top horses didn't quite fulfil their potential. I don't think they'll have that problem now
Early indications, at this stage, seem to suggest that the Geraghty lads agent has indeed played a blinder in the old contract negotiations as he will only be required to ride in the UK on Friday’s and Saturday’s. The exceptions being should there be Graded heats on other days or if Geraghty just bally well feels like riding one on this side of the water. Would agree with Shergar that this appointment should greatly benefit McManus as Geraghty is far superior to THAT man. Now all McManus has to do is get someone to buy his horses who has even a modicum of intelligence, axe Jonjo O’Neill from his roster of trainers and ban that McLernon creature from coming within 20 yards of one of his beasts. JP, old boy, follow these guidelines and you will finally get something approaching value for money from your gee-gee investments.
I just think that they made a good decision going with Barry here. Although only time would tell regarding the results.
