Irish jockeys

[MisterFold]

OK, nothing to do with poker... The National got me thinking again yesterday - why are so many top jockeys Irish? I think the population of Ireland is only around three million while the UK has about 60 million people. So how come so many of the top jocks come from the Emerald Isle?

[stepgen]

Originally Posted by MisterFold

OK, nothing to do with poker... The National got me thinking again yesterday - why are so many top jockeys Irish? I think the population of Ireland is only around three million while the UK has about 60 million people. So how come so many of the top jocks come from the Emerald Isle?

They are all lepruchans

[MisterFold]

To be sure, to be sure.

[alan292]

there was a report on attheraces a few weeks regarding this very issue...bottom line was that in england the facilities to learn are very expensive,whereas in ireland there is a more relaxed approach to horse riding.....a good example given was >>>>>in england the pupils all have whips.....in ireland they just pull a branch of the nearest tree........i remember watching an interveiw with cathy gannon and she described the kids in her village racing their horses down the main road..

[MisterFold]

I used to be a big fan of horse racing and followed the results of the top jockeys closely. I'm not so up to speed with it all nowadays.
On the flat in those days, Irishmen Pat Eddery and Walter Swinburn were among the top jocks. Over the jumps, Tommy Stack and other Irish lads also had some great wins. But there seemed to be many more leading English riders than there are now.
I'm sure you're right - it's just easier and less expensive to become a great horseman in Ireland than it is over here.

[alan292]

i recognise these names.......ive followed the racing for years as well.....i did have a break for a few years but my interest was rekindled one day when my mate came over to visit with a £10 accumulator......only had about 10 horses on it too...