Jockey’s record unrecognised

Press, 28 July 1989, Page 24

Jockey’s record unrecognised

In the flurry of publicity over Lance O’Sullivan’s record setting this season, and Graeme Rogerson’s new mark for trainers, it is easy to overlook the significance of jockey Grant Davison’s 111 winners for the season. It is a mark he had set before the Oamaru meeting. It is only the third time a South Island-based rider has ridden more than a century of winners in a season, and is easily a new record in that respect.

Modern riders have some advantages over horsemen of other eras when it comes to records. There are more races run these days and transport to meetings is better than it used to be.

It could be too that the competition in the South Island is not as intense as it is in other places. But for all that; riding 100 winners in any season, anywhere is a great achievement, one for which Davison should receive due recognition.

It means he has had to front up week in week out to races ignoring the prospect of injury. He risked suspension for any alleged breaches of race rules and has chosen among several rides in the same event, hoping his decision works out as the right one.

During that time Davison spent a small fortune on phone calls and still faced the prospect of upsetting owners and trainers whose horses he is unable to ride.

What those people may forget is that Davison cannot afford undivided loyalty to some stables or owners for very long. The name of the riding game is riding winners and since few owners sling well when their horses lose, and fewer still want an out of form jockey, Davison is forced into a solo role bearing up under criticism about getting off one horse to ride another.

Davison knows this, and accepts it as part of the job. But, he says, it can still hurt when you are accused of being disloyal

when in fact all you are doing is your job the best way you can.

Davison averages just under 600 rides in a season — an average of less than eleven a week with most races taking less than two minutes. Put that way, his job may look a cinch, but it cannot be reduced to those sort of statistics.

The travelling, trackwork riding, sifting of form, the thousands of phone calls, and the caring for gear are just some of the pitfalls which shadow what looks like a great lifestyle. Injuries such as Davison suffered when Balnacally fell at Blenheim in April, and which put him out of premiership contention, are always a worry. The professional touch shows with the young rider in his presentation. Traditionally, leading riders have been particular about their presentation, their appearance the standard of their gear, their dealings with owners, their projection of

a profession image both for their own sake and that of the industry in which they work. Few will deny Davison has high standards in these regards.

One hundred winners in a season is no longer a big deal to Davison. It is riot an attitude of arrogance, but one of the professional who has set a goal, attained it and who does not need to do it over again to savour the thrill. There are other goals and other thrills. Davison rode six winners in a day at Riccarton this season. It was not the first time he had done this but .it was the first time at Riccarton. He was close to winning the Group One South Australian Oaks on Bon Cher. He is hungry to win the big races which produce the biggest pay packets. Davison’s century of wins was done riding 111 winners in a season, more than 50 more than any other southern rider. It is an unusual feat and one he is to be congratulated on.