Chan, I really don’t think the quality of the horses involved matters that much, to be brutally frank, think money will be the deciding factor. Others may disagree but if the job comes with a massive retainer (which it will) I doubt if many would turn it down. At the moment Geraghty has a great job with Mr Henderson but if offered a huge amount of money to ‘transfer’ to a slightly inferior one wouldn’t he be mad to turn it down??? Especially when you consider he has practically won all there is to win, is nearing the end of his career and it offers complete financial security which a non-retained role never will. As to the finer points of the contract (like does he ride every horse at every gaff track) that’s up to Geraghty’s agent to negotiate to the best of his ability on behalf of his client. May be the stumbling block to the whole thing but Geragty would, in my view, be in a very strong bargaining position and could negotiate several points in his favour. It’s ‘Dazzler’ Jacob who has the Munir role and that’s only to jump in when the stable number 1 (if they have one) is unavailable.
Fair enough SBC if it's a life securing amount than fair play to BG. I didn't realise of all the jump jocks it was only McCoy who got a retainer. I assumed there would be others. Not surprised Ruby Walsh didn't get one with PN though as he wouldn't have been able to flit between GB and Ireland if he had.
Chan, there are other jump jockeys out there who get retainers but obviously at a much, much, much lower level than the McManus one. These days they seem to be all individual owner led. Denis O’Regan for instance is now paid something to ride for the owners of Ned Stark. Though I don’t think we are talking much at all as they have very few animals. I think the days of a leading trainer paying one (or charging his owners for one) are long gone – although Ryan Moore does gets one from Sir Michael but this is not surprising as securing his services is a massive bonus and certainly worth paying extra for. Plus he probably gets a 2nd retainer sum as well from Ballydoyle. But because of his talent he can ask this and is probably unique, at the moment, in this regard in either sphere of the sport. Don't forget whoever gets the job with Mr Henderson, if Geraghty flits, won't by any means get to ride all the horses at Seven Barrows. He will be excluded from, off the top of my head, all the McManus, Waley-Cohen and Tiggy Wiggy crowd beasts.
One thing I learned from reading Paul Nichols autobiography is that Barry G's fond of a quid or too. Obviously who isn't to a degree but Nichols did portray him as being very money orientated (wanted travel expenses, etc which no one else asked for). In that context I suppose him accepting a big, fat retainer from JP seems likely enough. I'd have originally thought no chance Barry would want to traipse round the length and breadth of the country riding at gaff tracks day in day out but the money will talk. Disappointed it won't go to someone younger like Mark Walsh.
