There are very few current jockeys who could replicate Paul Carberry in terms of riding style. In terms of other things, that’s probably a good thing, but, as for the rudiments of the day job, only Keith Donoghue goes anywhere close. And he was moulded by ‘Alice’ himself.
There was also something Carberry-esque about Padraig Beggy coming from what seemed like Cheltenham after rounding Tattenham Corner and beginning to swallow up ground quicker than a 25ft combine would devour a seven acre field aboard Wings Of Eagles to smash the opposition and grab the Epsom Derby.
But here’s the thing, when PBB steered Sovreign to win the Irish equivalent at The Curragh 12 months later, he turned that script totally upside down. Jumping his partner from the stalls and making every post the winning one.
Only the very best can operate both ways. As the evidence of the last half decade and more have shown in abundance that, through his majesty in the saddle, Colin Keane can command a horse to do everything bar talk. And so it was on a historic and thoroughly deserved moment in the American sun.
Ireland’s six time champion Flat jockey tucked away, Carberry-esque, covered up, yet poised to strike at the opportune moment. Thus, just as ‘Alice’ had on Belvano all those years ago, coming from the clouds to grasp ground breaking glory for trainer and jockey alike. Also, in another great story for Irish racing, the exponential rise on the global stage of Westmeath trainer Adrian Murray continued as his Arizona Blaze came home a highly creditable second.
An understandably ebullient Lyons in the aftermath of the success: “My horse had a late start to the season, he loves fast ground and when he ran at Doncaster, I vowed that if the horses that beat him were going to the Breeders’ Cup then we should.
“Hopefully we will get him home safe and sound, we’ll let him down and the sky will be the limit next year.”
Lyons was eager to praise Keane, who is set to be crowned Irish champion jockey for sixth time on Sunday.
He added: “Colin is the most underrated champion jockey on planet earth and I would like to see him on the big stage more.
“He’s had maybe three rides at the Breeders’ Cup and he’s won two. It’s about the time the world woke up to him.
“It’s fantastic, it’s a huge credit to the horse, a huge credit to my team. Big thanks to my owner, there’s plenty of us guys at home who can do this if we get the horses.
“The secret to training winners is getting the horses, it’s a simple as that. If a clown like me can train a winner at the Breeders’ Cup, anybody can!”
You might be a lot of things Ger, but a clown surely isn’t one of them. One of the shrewdest, most understated, underrated operators in the business, I’m drawn to a few lines by the great Christy Moore to herald this latest momentous moment in the career of the Kiltale handler –
“I’m an ordinary man, nothing special nothing grand, I’ve had to work for everything I own
I never asked for a lot, I was happy with what I got”. Methinks Ger’s due rewards are only just beginning.
Quotes: http://www.irishracing.com
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