A quick update on my last post and the few horses I have mentioned on my Facebook page. First up Emaraty Hero was never involved in what looked like a pretty nice race to be fair. I mentioned that former jockey Alan Rutter who actually rides out for John Gosden had nominated the newcomer King Leonidas as his horse to follow, he was spot on with that as the impressive King Leonidas won like a good thing. I had an each-way on Emaraty Hero as King Leonidas was too short at 13/8 but even though I lost it was nice to see King Leonidas win.
I didn’t bet on the 4/5 shot Sorrel who finished second at Kempton but I did have a small bet on Grain Of Sense who could only manage fourth at Newmarket. This soft going is a nightmare for punters and it would be nice if I could be more disciplined but that doesn’t seem to be happening at the minute.
The last one in my post was the one Jason and I had been waiting for. Farnham is a really well-thought-of filly for Roger Varian who had a number of significant entries as a 2-year-old but didn’t run. Farnham made her debut in April but wasn’t seen again until last Thursday at Chelmsford. Yes, I know she was the odds on favourite but for me, it was more about seeing if she still had some ability after such a long lay off. Farnham won well and looked to have a bit in hand. The early price of 5/4 looked nice of course after she had won but as I said it was just nice to see her win.
A few more on my Facebook page I mentioned was Station To Station who on firsthand looked disappointing but I have a feeling we may see a better run next timeout if running in a nursery. I also bet on Tulip Fields and Nicks No Wonder who both got placed. Another one I mentioned on Facebook was the Simon Crisford colt Finely Tuned who was running Wednesday this week. I took an early price of 13/2 and by race time Finely Tuned was 3/1. I almost gave up on my bet until Finely Tuned sprouted wings inside the last furlong and a bit further would have won. I finally got a winner though when Bye Bye Lady won for my eye-catchers priced 3/1.
Speculative Friday
12:00 Newmarket 01 Nov 2019:
Wadi Al Sail is trained by Miss Gay Kelleway who has a few nice 2-year-olds including Global Esteem who ran a great race to finish third at 25/1 on his debut at Leicester last month.
Wadi Al Sail might not be up to that standard but I'm willing to take a chance with a small each-way bet if the price is right. The Holy Roman Emperor colt was a cheap 17,000 euro yearling but unsold for 24,000 gns as a 2-year-old. His debut race was in a Class 2 race at Goodwood back in July, a complete outsider at 66/1. Wadi Al Sail was up with the pace for most of the way until meeting difficulty in running and losing all chance and eased down towards the finish. I am not saying he would have won or might not have been even placed but would have been a lot closer to the smart Cobra Eye. Interesting that owner H.E Sherida Al-Kaabi also had Fuwayrit in that race who looks a nice colt himself. Wadi Al Sail was given a significant entry after his debut which is interesting but this would be more of a speculative bet with some potentially nice newcomers from top yards plus a dangerous Aidan O’ Brien colt called Keats.
12:35 Newmarket 03 Nov 2017:
Interested to see how the Richard Hannon trained Sky Power runs here. The 450,000 gns yearling had an early entry for the Group 2 Champagne Stakes but didn’t run. The betting will be the clue to the Fastnet Rock colts chances. Richard Hannon won this race in 2017 with Maghaweer. No bet for me on debut but hopefully he runs a nice race.
16:50 Newcastle 01 Nov 2019:
It looks like a day of speculative bets for me as Kumasi looks to be another who will start off at a big price. The David O’Meara New Approach colt was purchased by Cheverley Park owners for 130,000 gns as a foal and made his debut in the Class 2 Convivial Stakes at York back in August. Not fancied that day at 33/1 Kumasi looked out of his depth but did show up well until the last furlong when weakening. This looks a lot easier and if he has any ability hopefully the market will support him. A small hopeful each-way bet for me as O’meara doesn’t have too many 2-year-old winners at Newcastle.
Good luck and thanks for reading.
A big thank you to former flat jockey Alan Rutter who has kindly agreed to answer some questions about his life in horse racing and riding out for the brilliant John Gosden.
Alan, have you always been involved with horse racing?
I have always been involved in horse racing, being born and bred in Newmarket you are never too far away from a horse, and most of the people who live here, know or have somebody connected to the industry.
At What age did you decide to become a jockey and why?
I probably decided to be a jockey aged about 15, I played football to a reasonable standard, but played and was turned down by the county, because they said I was too small, so I thought what do small people do...ride horses!!!! Unfortunately, I grew. So basically I was too small for 1 and too big for the other.
As an apprentice you had a nice few winners, did you have a favourite?
I was lucky enough to win on the horse called Street Life who was a particular favourite of mine, and a real yard pet. Took great pleasure from winning on a useful horse called High Treason twice, a big galloping type who really enjoyed Newbury.
What was it like riding for legendary trainer Willie Musson?
Riding for Willie Musson, was fun, and he was a very fair trainer, he had quite a few apprentices at the time, so we all knew that if we worked hard and listened we would get rides. I was under no illusion that even though I may have ridden a horse a few times if Pat Eddery or Kieren Fallon wanted to ride they would take over.
Did you find it tough being a jockey or were you living the dream?
Of course, being a jockey is tough, if you are not a natural lightweight, or you cannot pick up rides, you can easily get disheartened, It’s a game that will either make you or break you. I loved every minute of it while I was riding and I looked at it, that I was living out my dream and working with my idols.
I noticed that you do a bit of work riding out for another legendary trainer John Gosden, how did that come about?
I have always had a connection with the stable, as I’m the 3rd generation of my family to work for John Gosden, I basically wanted to get well-paid, ride good horses!!!! And that’s exactly what you get at Clarehaven, we are lucky to have such nice horses and are always competitive on race days.
I know this is a difficult question but which horse is the best you have ridden?
The best horse I have ridden would be Enable, but I couldn’t have told you that from the handful of times I sat on her. The horse I spent the most time riding was Roaring Lion. I rode him through his 2yo career. A fantastic horse, smooth traveller, gutsy, classy had a swagger. For me, he had it all. It’s a pity that he is no longer with us and just hope the mares he covered to produce a horse like him.
If you could name a John Gosden dark horse for the future who would it be?
As for picking a dark horse, this isn’t that easy as we have so many unraced maidens and normally a good one hides away. A horse that I’m quite fond of is a Kingman colt called King Leonidas probably one for 1-mile maidens, but he is likeable and more than capable of winning a maiden.
The final question is what advice would you give to my readers who would like to get into the racing game?
I would say to anybody wanting to get in to racing, that it is a fantastic industry, not always easy at times, the weather, the pay and other things can make you sometimes question why do you do it, but you can travel the world, be around nice horses, experience what it’s like to win, or just like looking after your horses, it’s certainly an industry that has a little bit of everything.
Thank you for your time, Alan, it's been a pleasure hearing about your great memories.
