Moore to it than improper conduct

When Clare Balding interrupted coverage of the Hickstead Derby on Sunday to inform viewers that Ryan Moore had been fined Dh5,800 following an ‘altercation’ with a member of race course staff at the Curragh, I was sure the presenter had been given duff information. It’s hard enough to get a word out of the former British champion jockey; therefore, a fine for allegedly displaying ‘violent or improper conduct’ seems almost impossible.

However, I was wrong and after a gateman failed to allow the calm and collected Moore into a specific area of the course, the jockey quite rightly took offence. That’s the trouble with freelance race course staff; they are simply drafted in to help staff the big race meetings and have almost no idea what the game is all about.

If the likes of, let’s say, Lester Piggott, or John Magnier don’t have the correct pass or colour coded badge for a certain area, would it be right to refuse them entry?

I am of the strong opinion all racing staff, whatever their working capacity, should be given access to most areas of any race course. Albeit if the Queen or any other royal dignitaries happen to be in attendance, perhaps it would be best to allow them some privacy!

But, seriously, during my time as a groom in England, where my sole responsibility was to ensure my equine charge was in the pre-parade ring 45 minutes before the race time, I have, on separate occasions, been refused access to the weighing/changing room to collect jockey silks, told I have the wrong pass to enter the members enclosure, and had to barter my way into the racecourse itself, despite producing a valid stable pass, all to ensure my day’s work was carried out. I understand courses have to employ people to carry out such procedures, but would it not be easier if all working members of the horse racing fraternity were given a single pass providing them with the correct credentials?

Good Decision

What a magnificent decision NOT to ban Johnny Murtagh after Alessandro Volta’s swerving antics in the final furlong of the Dubai Duty Free-sponsored Irish Derby last Sunday. Murtagh did all in his power while attempting to correct his mount from hampering the other rivals, but unfortunately to no avail. While it is not conclusive, I would be pretty certain if this finish had taken place in Britain, Aidan O’Brien’s stable jockey would probably be handed an enforced holiday for either careless riding or something else the stewards could conjure up. I am however inclined to side with Luca Cumani’s appeal following his runner, Curtain Call who was severely impeded by Murtagh’s mount, but not promoted ahead of the main trouble maker.