Rumours Of Dissent Among The Jockeys

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 205, 30 August 1941, Page 4 (Supplement)

Rumours Of Dissent Among The Jockeys

Apprentice Preference Piques Recognised X-Country Horsemen

Successes achieved by apprentice jockeys in races over fences this winter are causing not a little concern to horsemen who are in some measure dependent upon the jumping season for the major portion of their income. These riders make no secret of their complaint, and they claim, rightly or wrongly, that apprentices should not be allowed to ride in steeplechases or hurdle races while they, recognised cross-country riders, are in many instances compelled to fill the role of spectators.

JNCIDENTALLY, the complaining riders also feel that A. E. Ellis should not be permitted to ride at the most important meetings only, and that, if he is to ride over fences at all, then he should be available to owners at all meetings at which he is present.

It is pointed out by horsemen who ride over fences that the risk they take is beyond that entailed when riding on the flat. Evidence of this is the fact that the riding fees for jumping events at the more important meetings are considerably more than for flat races, these fees being fixed by the Racing Conference.

Trainers receive 50 per cent of all fees earned by their apprentices, but it is contended by hurdle horsemen that even this consideration does not warrant trainers submitting apprentices to the additional risk incurred.

"Already this season apprentice riders have deprived we recognised hurdle'and steeplechase riders of a fair amount," said one horseman at Ellerslie. "The Grand National Steeplechase was, won by an apprentice, J. Strathern, on Astral Flame, the two steeplechases at the Thames by J. Williamson on Conflagration, the hurdle race by E. V. Dye on Kena. and to-day the Hunt Cup by W. Skiffington on Clansman—all apprentices.

"In addition, A. E. Ellis, who didn't have enough rides over fences last season to entitle him to a mount in the Jumpers' Flat at Riccarton, won the Grand National Hurdles on The Dozer. It has never been easy for a rider over fences to get a living, and it is getting tougher." A Trainer's Opinion So much for the side of the recognised hurdle horsemen. There is another side—that of the trainer. And here is the opinion of one of them.

" Yes, I realise that the success of apprentices in jumping races is causing some concern among riders over hurdles, and I often wonder how some of them manage to make a living," he said. "It must be pretty hard. However, I think they themselves are responsible for the position which has arisen.

"My own experience, and that of other trainers no doubt, has shown that it is not easy to find someone to school a horse just when desired. There are a few riders who attend the track regularly, not many certainly, but there are some, and they get the riding they are entitled to.

"There is also the position of the trainer who prepares his horses away from headquarters to be considered. He may have a couple of jumpers in his team, but there is no hurdle horseman available, and the trainer gets his apprentice to school the horses. Isn't it only natural that the boy, having done all the spade work, should be given ttie ride in the race? "And the fact that half the fees earned by an apprentice go to the trainer is not to be overlooked. No trainer would wittingly do anything that would entail unnecessary danger to an apprentice—a good apprentice is too valuable to take risks with. The law provides that a trainer must have one apprentice for every five horses in his stable, and a leading trainer with a big team of horses would have several apprentices. Naturally, he is going to give them what riding he can because, as I said before, once they start riding in races they become a source of income to him."

Here then is the complaint and the answer to it by at least one trainer. It can be regarded as certain that the matter will be brought up for discussion at the next meeting of the executive • of the New Zealand Jockeys' Association.