Drowne and Channon going separate ways
Steve Drowne and Mick Channon’s successful partnership is apparently over after it was reported that the Lambourn-based jockey is no longer riding out for the West Ilsley trainer.
“I’m no longer riding out for Mick as we’re both trying to be a bit more flexible but I may go back and ride work for him again next year,” Drowne told the Racing Post.
“Right now I’m developing my links with other stables – looking for rides like any other freelance – and hoping to further my career in that way.”
Channon said: “I understand Steve’s feelings and wish him well whatever he does, but I have no comment to make about what happened earlier in the season.”
The trainer was referring to the controversial jocking off of Drowne in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He lost the ride following the horse’s disappointing run in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh when Zafeen was only 14th of 16 to Indian Haven.
Drowne, who had partnered the Jaber Abdullah-owned colt into second place in the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas, was replaced by Darryll Holland, who duly rode Zafeen to victory in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
But Drowne said there was no bad feeling between him and Channon.
He said: “There’s no animosity between us, but it just seems best that we go our separate ways.
“I’ve never had any retainer with Mick. – nor any formal agreement – so this is simply a natural progression caused by a parting of our paths.”
Drowne returned from months on the sidelines with a broken leg in 2001 to have a tremendous end to the season for Channon illustrated by his seven-length win on the unbeaten juvenile filly Queens Logic in the Shadwell Stud Cheveley Park Stakes.
Although the filly made a successful reappearance at Newbury she met with several training setbacks and never got the chance to run in either the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas, and was retired.
Drowne completed his first century last year amassing 104 winners while Channon totalled 123.
This year the jockey has had 69 winners on turf of which 21 have been for Channon, who is on the 103 mark.
Jockeys likely to ride more for Channon include Tony Culhane, who had three winners for the trainer at Doncaster last week and Ted Durcan.
