Plundering bumpers in Ireland is plainly not enough for crack amateurs Nina Carberry and Katie Walsh, both of whom have rides in the Queen Mother’s Cup at York this afternoon.
In an old alliance, Carberry, below, links up with Kevin Ryan, who trains Shady Gloom and whose family have become good friends with the jockey. “I was one of the first to bring Nina over to England,” Ryan reflected. “I saw her ride in Ireland five or six years ago and two weeks later she won a race for me at Beverley.”
Carberry has since spent several stints riding out for Irish-born Ryan at his Thirsk base. As for Shady Gloom, who steps up to 12 furlongs today, Ryan describes him as “a strong and straightforward horse who will go close if he gets the trip”.
Conversely, Walsh has never met Dr Richard Newland, who trains her mount, War Party. “Out of the blue he rang my sister [Jennifer] looking for me,” Walsh said. “It will be my first ride in the race and I’m delighted.”
Walsh’s only ride in Britain last year saw her land Ascot’s ladies’ race on King George day aboard Golden Desert.
Advertisement
With Johnny Murtagh suspended for the last two days, Ryan Moore is a short-priced favourite to secure riding honours at Royal Ascot next week. Moore broke his duck at last year’s meeting and, should he justify his billing, will be in demand with the media at a time when racecourses are considering making post-race press conferences compulsory for winning connections. Both Moore and Sir Michael Stoute were “too busy” to attend after Ask’s Coronation Cup triumph at Epsom last week.
A spate of high-profile jockeys were banned at the Derby meeting when some seasoned observers, among them former trainer Bill O’Gorman, felt the safety line had been breached. Part of the problem lies with the stewards’ instruction that nothing less than a short head should prompt them to consider disqualifying the winner for interference. The message to jockeys is that if you’re going to carve someone up, do it properly. Don’t give them the chance to get within a short head of you at the finish.