Straight Up – Maintaining the craft – how one generation of jockeys is teaching the next
In this edition:
- ‘If you need an electrician, you don’t hire a plumber’ – Ex-jockeys key to Queensland’s racing education revolution
- Racetracks vs real estate – Gulfstream clouds overshadow Pegasus meeting
- Select suits as Inglis approaches smallest Easter catalogue since 2017 with confidence in quality
- Sabotage with no leads – Police hit dead end in Gold Coast turf poisoning probe
- ‘All the stars align’ as Berry, Baker triumph in Magic Millions 2YO Classic
- Rowe On Monday – Alan’s Green racing legacy, a Rising vision for Japanese success and Thai industry boost on agenda
- Run The Numbers – Timing your Slipper run perfectly
Only a jockey can understand what it means to be a jockey.
The risks of the riding profession were laid bare in last Friday’s horrendous fall at Moruya, which left Beany Panya and Blake Spriggs with serious injuries. Every time such an incident occurs the entire thoroughbred industry holds its breath and crosses its fingers.
The latest update on their condition, issued on Tuesday morning, speaks to that seriousness.
“Beany Panya’s post spine fixation has been stable. She is experiencing some ongoing back pain however the neurosurgery team are happy with her progress,” the update read.
“Blake Spriggs has been settled overnight. He is still intubated in ICU however hoping to extubate today with pain management. His surgery went well with his clavicle and forearm yesterday.”
It is easy to argue that the thoroughbred game relies heavily upon the courage and skill of jockeys.
Their willingness to put themselves at risk is what enables the sport to thrive. The old line about them being the only profession which is constantly followed around by an ambulance rings true in the current circumstances.
Multiple Group 1-winning hoop Michael Cahill is hanging up the saddle at 60 years of age, but his four decades of experience will not be lost to the Queensland industry.
“There is no feeling like a horse letting down through a field. It’s very addictive,” he told Matt Stewart.
Cahill will join contemporary Chris Whiteley as part of a Racing Queensland team which will mentor and develop the next generation of race riders. And it’s not just riding skills they are teaching.
‘If you need an electrician, you don’t hire a plumber’
Ex-jockeys key to Queensland’s racing education revolution
Racetracks and real estate promises to be a continuing theme through 2025 as the future of Rosehill is likely to be determined.
It is a global pressure on the industry and the latest example is Gulfstream Park, the host of this weekend’s Pegasus World Cup, the original inspiration behind The Everest.
It is a complex story, involving how racetracks and casinos are licensed in Florida, but certainly has hallmarks with the challenges faced by Australian racing authorities.
The week’s Rowe On Monday has a focus on the legacy of former Vinery partner and surfwear pioneer Alan Green, who passed away last week. An owner in multiple Melbourne Cup winners, Green had a huge passion for racing.
Tim also chatted to jumps jockey and interpreter turned syndicator Kosi Kawakami about a host of significant Japanese-bred results of late, and looks at how racing in Thailand could be set for a boost.
Rowe On Monday
Alan’s Green racing legacy, a Rising vision for Japanese success and Thai industry boost on agenda
Wodeton has become the buzz two-year-old of the season based off his debut win on Saturday and this week’s Run The Numbers charts the pattern of recent Golden Slipper winners making their debuts post-Christmas.
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Inglis announced its catalogue for the upcoming Easter Yearling Sale this week. The most obvious point is that the catalogue is some 79 horses lighter than last year.
Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch told The Straight that he expects the lofty reputation of the sale to be sustained by the 2025 edition.
The racing aspect of Magic Millions finally wrapped up last Friday night with a victory for Bjorn Baker and Tommy Berry in the feature 2YO Classic with O’Ole.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the poisoning of the Gold Coast track continues, with police of the belief that it was an intentional act, but with few leads to follow up.
We hope The Straight is still hitting the spot in 2025. If there is something we should be covering, let us know at editor@thestraight.com.au.
We appreciate your support as always
Regards
Bren O’Brien
Managing Editor and Founder
The Straight
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