Jumps trainers, I have an offer you simply cannot refuse. I’ll interview you, and GG will even pay you for it!
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Joe BloGGs
It’s a tough job being the Manchester United manager in 2025. Ruben Amorim is already just one league defeat away from surpassing his record for number of losses incurred in a single season; he never lost more than six league games across an entire campaign when in charge of FC Sporting.
Yet, due to contractual obligations, he fronts up every time to a post-match interview and has already signed off on numerous soundbites worthy of headlines. Amorim appears to be an affable man, but after some of his team’s abject displays, he could be forgiven for opting for one-word answers, storming out, or even sending his assistant in true Football Manager™ style.
His words are not always golden, though, nor can managers ever be expected to give fly-on-the-wall insight every time because they are not being paid to do so, at least not directly. Rejoice then, that you are a fan of racing because, in the words of the Professional Racing Association, trainers are like Leonardo DiCaprio as actors in horse racing’s movie. Hence, the PRA say, they should be reimbursed for their role in the production.
There is missing the point, and then there’s this.
We can take relief that a planned boycott of such interviews on Saturday at Sandown has been postponed. Viewers of ITV Racing and Racing TV can now look forward to the same tasty soundbites: “he’s working well at home”, “we think she’ll come on for the run”, “anything he does over hurdles is a bonus”. Oh, the joy.
The PRA’s theory rests that jockeys are funded for their part in pre and post-race proceedings, so why shouldn’t trainers be? However, for jockeys, the “payment” is really a contribution towards their insurance on the racecourse as opposed to cash-in-hand fees every time they’re collared by Matt Chapman next to the weighing room.
Trainers, it is reasonable to say, do not experience the same levels of risk at a racecourse as jockeys. Actors they may well be, especially when disguising a horse’s handicap mark, but for those once-a-weekend punters who may be able to name Paul Nicholls at a push, suggesting trainers are anything other than extras or minor supporting roles is doomed folly.
The argument is not actually trainer vs viewer, but trainer vs racecourse; this is crucial nuance although it does not take away from the fundamentals. Though the funding would come from the tracks themselves, caving in to the demands of trainers would be to the detriment of the sport’s image, and would far from advance a bettor’s experience.
If you were to create a tier list of ITV Racing’s coverage segments, you’d probably put any snippets related to the trainers in the relegation zone. This is not to disrespect the charisma of a chosen few, but is the reality: which casual punter is going to listen religiously to a minute of racing jargon when they present a perfect opportunity to make a cup of tea?
Going one step further, try telling punter x that each trainer is being paid specifically for those moments where you’re stirring a brew or finding the next bet. Perception is everything to racing and a slide into in-fighting over an issue so irrelevant to the common person scarcely threatens reason.
So, trainers, here is an open invitation. I believe your trade is fascinating and an iceberg of which the tip has only been scratched. A proper interview, in which you outline your toils and troubles, would, to this racing fan, be of genuine interest, as I believe it would be to those with open ears outside of the sport. I will give you the time and the privilege will be GG’s.
But let’s not pretend your on-the-course clichés are worth the price of a free bet. Whether the argument against racecourses is worthwhile is irrelevant; there are far greater issues to concentrate on.
On the other hand, give me a performance like DiCaprio, and maybe I’ll be won round.
GG Jumps Journal – My Share in Wendigo
I am now the proud owner of a Grade 1 runner-up. No, really I am. Joe BloGGs Admittedly, I’m one of about 800 “owners” of the great Wendigo, and that number only accounts for those on WhatsApp. Overall, 4,000 shares are available in the great horse, of which I am privileged to have just one….
Wed 15 Jan 2025Fascinations & Irritations
The irritation is fairly straightforward this week, but something of interest arose from Trials Day 5½ lengths behind Constitution Hill.
Fascination – Spirits Bay
The Grade 2 International Hurdle was a dire race for the level. Constitution Hill’s final flight mishap added the only moment of drama.
However, in third, spare some thoughts for the 125-rated Spirits Bay. A humble handicapper at a decent, but unspectacular level, he made the official frame, beating Graded regular Fils d’Oudairies in the process. What a reward for his owners at a track like Cheltenham.
It raises the familiar racing question of why connections do not gamble in small-field Graded contests more often. The handicapper is sometimes penal in terms of upping ratings, but Spirits Bay remains on a mark of 125. There are numerous races of this type per season which could so easily be advanced by one or two ambitious runners attempting to punch above their weight.
The adage is that you should never be scared of one horse and had Constitution Hill taken off when Nico De Boinville asked, glory could well have awaited for Spirits Bay. More connections should follow suit, including at the Cheltenham Festival.
Irritation – See Above
No more notes.
GG Jumps Journal – A Racing Chat with Matty Sutcliffe
Horse racing is not a young person’s sport. But could it be? Joe BloGGs Among the GG ranks, there was one man in particular who I wanted to pick the brains of. Matty Sutcliffe has taken GG and the Weekend Watch by storm, but as a young racing enthusiast, I wanted to get his thoughts…
Wed 22 Jan 2025Tip for the Weekend
We enjoyed an 11/10 winner for the column last week as L’Homme Presse justified short odds in the Cotswold Chase. We’ll go slightly more ambitious this week, with a look at the Dublin Chase on Sunday at Leopardstown.
Gaelic Warrior has every chance at Cheltenham, but he has been far below his best at Leopardstown the last twice. The stable form is a slight concern, but given what Solness was able to from the front over Christmas, Quilixios might be worth an each-way play at odds of 20/1 with three places. The race could well cut up below eight runners, he has begun this season in the best form of his career, and there might not be many who pass him if he gets into a rhythm.