FLAT
Jockey's that deserve praise this season include Neil Callan, especially for his rides aboard Hamza and Astaire, both at Newmarket, where he showed off his ability to judge pace effectively. A jockey who, in the past I have been critical of, but has improved massively is Joseph O'Brien. His rides aboard Declaration of War at Royal Ascot and Leading Light in the St Leger are representative of the progress he has made and the confidence he has obtained this year and hopefully he can continue to improve in 2014. Another jockey who has rode at a top level this season is William Buick, especially aboard The Fugue at Leopardstown, where he gave her a peach of a ride in beating high calibre opposition. Adam Kirby's efforts on Lethal Force cannot be forgotten either, helping the horse establish himself as the season's top sprinter.
Top 5
Where will these rides feature??
5) Johnny Murtagh- CHICQUITA- Darley Irish Oaks- July 20th
In what seems to have been a flat season dominated by Mr Murtagh, this ride was class as Chicquita was renown for being a troublesome filly in her homeland and was this bound to be a worry in this Classic. Unsurprisingly, Chicquita veered left at the business end of the race but under the Murtagh drive, ended up crossing the line first.
Race replays are in the links http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JoptCCrwQY
4) Ryan Moore- GARSWOOD- bet365 Lennox Stakes- July 30th
A festival seemingly filled with brilliant rides, this was no exception. Whilst Goodwood is often seen as a difficult course to ride, Moore made it look ridiculously easily. He held up Garswood in the last pair and unleashed him up the straight. Just as it looked too late, the jockey had the horse at the front in a matter of strides and soon put the race to bed a shade cosily.
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/results/30-07-2013/goodwood/result/572363/bet365-lennox-stakes-group-2/video?token=78ea132a0b
3) Richard Hughes- TORONADO- Qipco Sussex Stakes July 31st /WENTWORTH- Betfred Mile 2nd August
I have sandwiched these two together as I think they both deserve to be put in the Top 5 and they are pretty much carbon copy's of each other. Both Richard Hughes specials, quietly stalking the leaders then pouncing when the time is right. Toronado's race is rightfully deemed one of the races of the season, mainly due to Hughes' dexterity in the saddle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHcXhar4rKw- Toronado
http://racing.channel4.com/watch-now/key-moments/videoid=1238215/index.html#wentworth-wins-betfred-mile- Wentworth
2) Johnny Murtagh- DAVID LIVINGSTON- Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes- August 10th
This Top 5 could probably have consisted of five Murtagh rides; that is just how exceptional he has been this season. I have chosen this one not just for his impeccable drive, but for what he did just before a furlong out. He had the audacity to whip the silk off his helmet and discard it to the ground. This very act, to me, showed just how much confidence Murtagh exuded this season and that if somebody was to beat him, it would take something very special to do so.
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/results/10-08-2013/haydock-park/result/576955/betfred-rose-of-lancaster-stakes-group-3/video
Who could the number one spot go to? Well, it does not go to Moore, Buick, Murtagh, Hughes or anybody in the very top echelons. It goes to a jockey who has performed extremely well this season, a jockey who is relatively new to the world of flat racing...
1) Graham Lee- TOMINATOR- John Smith's Northumberland Plate- 29th June
This ride had it all. When the race began to heat up, it looked as though Lee and Tominator were all dressed up with nowhere to go, so to speak. Lee had to wait patiently for the gap to appear, when it did he was quick to fill it. Once the jockey had a clear sight of the finish, he had to rely on all of his National Hunt experience to roust his mount, the result being just winning the race at the line. Simply a majestic ride.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdR-h2hczX4
JUMP
Quality rides this season include the exploits Barry Geraghty on Bobs Worth at Cheltenham and more recently Leopardstown and Leighton Aspell's heroics, minus his irons, aboard Deep Trouble at Sandown.
Will these two efforts be placed in the Top 5?
Top 5
5) Paul Carberry- SOLWHIT- Ladbrokes World Hurdle- 14th March
This was just a classic Carberry ride, calmly holding the horse up and pushing the 'Go' button just at the right time. When he pulls these wonder rides out of the bag, as he did aboard Monbeg Dude in the Welsh National, he simply oozes class.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9mzdrPR-RY
4) AP McCoy- MORE OF THAT- Best Odds Guaranteed With Betfair Sportsbook Handicap Hurdle- 23rd November
Like Paul Carberry earlier, this was an AP McCoy classic, although they are very different entities. This horse never looked like winning before two out, even at the last his chances looked slim, but when there's an AP, there is always a way. He galvanised his mount and ended up putting the race to bed nicely within a couple of strides. This, somewhat unsurprisingly, is not McCoy's last entry on the list.
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/results/23-11-2013/haydock-park/result/593935/best-odds-guaranteed-with-betfair-sportsbook-handicap-hurdle
3) AP McCoy- HEFNER- 32Red.com Maiden Hurdle- 3rd March
This ride was simply outstanding. Whilst watching the race, Hefner had a minute chance of winning and even after jumping the last he looked beat. That was until McCoy's urgings, which started from some way out, began to play a part. AP's never say die attitude resulted in Hefner crossing the line first. Although it was only one of McCoy's many successes in a record breaking year for him, it was a mere example of how McCoy is maintaining his high standards year in, year out. If anything, he's like a fine wine, improving with age.
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/results/03-03-2013/huntingdon/result/549896/32red-com-maiden-hurdle/video
2) Jason Maguire- HARRY TOPPER- bet365 Charlie Hall Chase- 2nd November
Following the first two fences in this race, Harry Topper's chances looked awfully small. He was very slow at both of them and he looked in trouble. But slowly and surely, Maguire nursed his mount into the race and shortly before the straight, was well in the mix. Once in the straight, Maguire got the best out of his ride, getting big jumps out of him when it mattered and driving him strongly to win the race narrowly.
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/results/02-11-2013/wetherby/result/591021/bet365-charlie-hall-chase-grade-2/video
So here is the number one jump ride of 2013, in my opinion. The race was of an extremely high calibre and the ride was certainly up to the standard...
1) Ruby Walsh- CHAMPAGNE FEVER- William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle- 12th March
The opening to the Cheltenham festival this year was absolutely extraordinary. Walsh had Champagne Fever at the front from start to finish. AP McCoy loomed large aboard favourite My Tent or Yours as they navigated the bend and seemed the more likely winner of the two. Champagne Fever came off the bridle whilst McCoy remained motionless. Then both jockeys were in the driving position, but it was Walsh who triumphantly drove Champagne Fever up the hill, standing up in his irons, waving his stick aloft once crossing the line. A masterclass in both strength and tactics. Genius.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8fYzdy-Wug
Hope you enjoyed my review of the year and lets hope 2014 produces more of the same and so much extra.
For 2014, HAPPY PUNTING
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