Coolmore's Riding Arrangements- Due For A Change?

After the departures of Kieren Fallon and Johnny Murtagh; and unavailability of Ryan Moore through injury; Aidan O’Brien has been utilising mainly Seamie Heffernan, Colm O’Donoghue and Joseph O’Brien as his stable jockeys.
I’ve been wondering for a little while now whether this practice will continue- or whether Coolmore will seek to employ an alternative top-flight jockey both to have the choice of mounts and to ride work.
Seamie Heffernan’s ride of So You Think yesterday- albeit in fairness to him only ‘one race’- makes me wonder how Moore or Fallon would have ridden the horse, and whether they would have achieved a better finishing position. My view is yes, they would .
If approached, would Ryan Moore be tempted to leave Michael Stoute- or would he prefer to stay where he is and ride for Coolmore, when available?
In the case of Kieren Fallon, a stable spokesman said over three years ago that “There would be no more backing for Kieren Fallon,” – after the jockey was banned on cocaine charges.
Could Coolmore possibly relent on this decision and consider re-employing him, or were their bridges irrevocably burned in 2008?
To all members....would you re-engage Fallon if you were the owners, or would you want the existing arrangement to continue?
Or would you employ another jockey altogether and, if so, whom?

 

if I was them i'd want the best jockey I could get, so no I wouldn't be asking after fallon.

 

You must have been watching a different Fallon to the rest of us all these years

 

Ryan Moore would be their ideal man but it depends on how he feels about moving.


Could William Buick leave John Gosden?

 

No, I've been watching.

 

I'd go for a proven rider such as Moore. Fallon is just as good, but is getting a bit long in the tooth, so I'd opt for a younger man. But in fairness to Heffernan, O'Donoghue and young O'Brien, they were probably under pretty stern instructions in the big race, particularly Heffernan. So I find it a bit too hard to lay a lot of blame at his feet for the demise of SYT. I sometimes wonder whether if even the trainer has a say in some cases. There was a race at Royal Ascot (I think) where Mahmood Al Zarooni was being interviewed after one of his horses won. He had no idea about the horse's future, he said it would be left to the owner and racing manager. It left me with the impression that he was there to just condition the horse.

 

I feel they could do worse than allow Spencer another crack at the Job. I feel his failure at it before was the making of him and although by no means flawless he is proving far more reliable than before. I feel there is not really a standout jockey for the Job as before when they went for Kinane you could have said he was the best, the same with Fallon at the time and Murtagh, but at the moment i think you could make an argument that could be countered just as convincingly about 6 jockeys being the best, and there in truth not being much between them without anyone of them setting the fires alight.

 

Coolmore did state at the start of the season they would use their in house pilots for all the top races.This policy was reversed after a couple of early season cock ups,none more evident than SH's ride on WOW on her seasonal bow.

I think they would like to appoint a stable jockey but who will be available?.I suspect William Buick is content at JG's and is having classic and G1 success,so must be rated as unlikely to want to leave.Pat Smullen also said he wouldn't leave Weld and I'm not sure they would consider revisiting the Fallon arrangement.

Soumillion has renewed his contract,so appears out of the running.Perhaps Fran Berry or Declan McDonagh would be considered.

Cats reported a degree of disharmony at the Stoute yard resulting in the departure of several key members of staff.This,coupled with the relative lack of success this season,may mean Ryan Moore would consider taking the post.I think it's fair to say he would be the operations first choice.

 

They want Moore and i don't think there is any secret in that. The problem is that he is married with two kids and lives in Newmarket which makes the Stoute job an awful lot easier! If he's ever going to do it then surely now is the time. Vacant position at Ballydoyle with a few very good prospects to ride and little of note at Stoute's yard. I would think it is now or never.

I don't think Buick would go at the moment. He seems to be enjoying a fruitful spell at Gosden's. Fallon would probably do it but it's whether they would have him back which i doubt.

It's an interesting one because it has to be considered the top stable jockey job and yet there are very few who seem keen on the role. I think the pressure must be particularly intense.

 

Coolmore have never seemingly settled for second best in any aspect of their operation and so have been somewhat surprised at the way in which they have allowed their riding arrangement to remain this term.

Certainly, if I was in their shoes then I would get the old cheque book out and secure the services of either Ryan Moore or ‘King’ Keiren the jockeys who are head and shoulders, at the moment, in my opinion, ahead of the rest of the crop.

I’ve never thought it wise for a top, top stable not to have a named ‘number 1’ as all it does is lead to speculation and uncertainty especially during times of adversity and I would envisage them making an appointment because of this over the winter months. And as I say either of those named above would be well clear at the top of my list.

 

I have a feeling we're in for a few jockey changes. Trainers and owners get jumpy with jockeys and seeing some young talent wonder why they shouldn't buy in to it. Let's face it that's what Gosden did with Buick.
There are two jockeys who are ripe for plucking and they are Hanagan and de Sousa. My belief is one of them may get a top job in the next 2 years. I also think Moore may change his allegiance to O'Brien. So my longshot is that Stoute will pick up Hanagan or De Sousa for next year.