Very much a case of the tail wagging the dog

The recent dismissal of Davy Russell as first jockey to Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud poses a question or two.

The first that comes to mind is why do rich and powerful owners feel the need to have their own jockey in the first place?

“Is it an ego thing?’’ asked a trainer, privately of course, at Thurles on Monday and that is at least a possible reason.