Big-spending owners kick the recession into touch
It is quite extraordinary, given we are in the grip of a global financial crisis, that racing in this country has at its disposal J P McManus, Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud, Rich Ricci, Barry Connell and Ann and Alan Potts.
Such thinking was prompted by the recent exploits of McManus and Connell, who paid telephone numbers for two horses.
First into action was Connell and we know he gave €375,000 for the Cork bumper winner Golantilla.
If Golantilla was able to make close to €400,000 then it is reasonable to assume that McManus’ purchase, Jezki, went for a lot more.
Jezki was bought for a sum that was undisclosed, but surely it had to be in the region of €500,000 plus.
No matter what way you look at it they are staggering figures for National Hunt horses.
Jezki and Golantilla are both geldings, so obviously have no future value, expect what they might win on the racecourse, or be backed to win by connections.
Are they shrewd purchases? Well, in the cold light of day, there is no doubt you would much prefer to be the seller rather than the buyer.
Take Golantilla first. He won a point-to-point in a canter and then his Cork bumper by 13 lengths.
All those races told us, however, was here is a very promising young horse that clearly has a decent engine.
But not until Golantilla steps up in class, against far better opposition, will we really be able to get a handle as to how good he might be.
Jezki has done far more than Golantilla at this stage and is clearly a horse of immense potential.
He was very impressive when taking a Grade 1 at Leopardstown at Christmas and that followed on another Grade 1 success in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse.
Indeed, Jezki is now unbeaten in four races over flights, heads directly to the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, for which he is the clear favourite at around 7-2.
But a word of warning. I tipped him for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last March and couldn’t believe how badly he ran, finishing eighth behind Champagne Fever. I have yet to hear a satisfactory explanation for that performance.
Anyway, McManus and Connell have taken the plunge, as they have done many times before, and, together with Gigginstown, Ricci and the Potts’, continue to ensure that all of the best horses in this country basically stay put.
Indeed, especially in the case of Gigginstown and Ricci, it isn’t uncommon for French and, sometimes, English horses to find their way here.
It’s all for the good of the game in Ireland and quite remarkable how the recession seems to have had little impact on these people.
To spend close to half a million on any horse for jumping clearly indicates that the buyer has to have millions and millions in reserve.
It is a world that most of us mere mortals can only gaze at in bewildered awe.
That case of Gallant Oscar, who finished 21 lengths fourth behind Madam Bovary in a beginners chase at Punchestown last Saturday, was most interesting.
The stewards formed a dim view of his performance and took what they deemed to be appropriate action.
Accordingly, trainer Denis Quinn was fined €2,000, jockey Roger Loughran suspended for seven days and the horse suspended for 42 days.
One’s immediate reaction was here we go again, that this is another case of picking on the small man, Quinn would hardy be a household name, while the bigger organisations are often allowed do as they please.
Certainly, I think the argument can be made that a yellow card, instead of a straight red, might have been sufficient.
That said, however, any logical viewing of the race will tell you the stewards had to act.
Gallant Oscar began life in England with Rebecca Curtis, showing some promise in two outings.
He then ran in two point-to-points in this country and again indicated there was plenty under the bonnet.
But in four runs over hurdles for Quinn he showed little or nothing. Gallant Oscar was beaten 33 lengths, 24 lengths, 54 lengths and his last effort, prior to Saturday, was when 138 lengths 11th of eleven finishers behind Followmeuptocarlow in a handicap hurdle at Punchestown in November.
The first mark he was given over hurdles by the handicapper was 102, he ran off 95 in November and has now dropped to 93.
So the evidence of his runs over flights tells us here is a very moderate horse that is actually going backwards.
Punchestown on Saturday, though, told a different story. He jumped and travelled well through the contest and was given kid-glove treatment by Loughran in the straight. Time may well reveal that Gallant Oscar is as bad as his rating over hurdles says, but here’s one who is going to keep an open mind-at least for the moment.
