He's doing well to be fair. I find him to be hit and miss at times but he can't get it right all the time I guess and he's doing well now and good luck in his quest to become the champ. A nice accolade to have on the mantle when he retires should he win.
Can't say I am smokey. Basically just shocked to see he could possibly be champion jockey. There was a debate about this on ATR and Matt Chapman obviously shared the sentiment. He suggested that maybe it should be called "Most hard working jockey" as it is difficult to accept that a champion jockey has not won a group 1 race since Oct 2014 and has only 3 group 1 races to his name (2011 and 2009) and hasn't won any group race for over a year. Just surprised to see him in that position.
You could argue that the jockeys that win 'champion jockey' are the ones willing to ride anything anywhere. I agree it's not always the best jockey that wins it but I do like Jim Crowley he has plenty of winners and as a punter that's all I'm interested in
To be fair you could make that point about anything and it's quite frivolous. Just because Leicester didn't beat Man City, Chelsea and Man City twice they should not be crowned champions of the league...you see where I'm going with it...
I will tell you why Jim Crowley is odds on for the jockey's championship. On Saturday morning he was 6/4 and Sylvester de Sousa was odds on. Crowley was on The Morning Line telling Rishi how his new agent this season was booking him as many rides as he could cram in as his stated objective was to try to win the title. He had two booked rides at Goodwood then a helicopter to Windsor for five more. Punters like the idea of the freelance going anywhere to ride anything - a bit like Fallon used to do.
He's odds on because he's leading it. And De Souza is having a shocker. Simple as. I like stating the obvious.
I might be wrong but Paul Hanagan wasn't rattling of G1 winners before becoming champion jockey? Champion jockey in both codes still belongs to the bloke who works hardest and shows the most dedication. The title can't be bought, unlike most other sporting titles. Long may the title continue to reward graft and application, traits which are sadly absent in many sports these days.
Just can't imagine in show jumping that someone who goes all round the country winning low standard events ever being recognised as a champion rider. Just wouldn't happen. It's pretty obvious that people with the best horses get the best riders they can on their horses. Otherwise the horses have no chance of performing to their full potential. To some people the word "Champion" implies the best. Can't see anything wrong in having 2 tables with their own "champions"; one based on number of winners and one based on winnings.
Just to put this into perspective....Before the season Jim Crowley himself told "us" to have a bet on Andrea Atzeni to be Champion Jockey this season. At no point did he say "oh and have a saver on me at 50/1 while you are at it"! How long was the SDS ban earlier in the season, without that he would be over the hills and far away. It is fair to say that Crowley and his agent are "chasing" for every ride that looks like it may have half a chance, "we" have already witnessed it!
Steering jobs on highly expensive purchases should not decide the jockey championship Ron. Most winners is the only category to judge on IMHO - see AP in the jumps game year after year.
It looks like Aiden O'Brien has the trainers championship wrapped up with 22 wins. Why are both championships different?
I actually didn't Ron to be honest. I was out a patron and went on the beer all day with some friends, the good Catholic that I am Not long in the door now with a nice Singapore chow mein to watch the end of the golf.
To be fair, most of the points made have validity, but still, you can't fault a man for chasing what is a lovely title to behold and something great to reflect on upon retirement
You could not use that phrase in show jumping Oddy. They are definitely not steering jobs over 1.50/1.60 metres against the clock. (Nor when not against the clock). I suspect the same is true in horse racing to a lesser extent. More precision needed in show jumping. All I know is it would be nonsensical if applied to show jumping. I think we have to agree to differ on this one Oddy, until Jim Crowley is considered good enough to be trusted on some of these so called steering jobs..
