Gm, Equinauts

In yesterday's Racing Post, Lee Mottershead said this:

"The Jockey Club could have maintained its silence over the weekend. Instead, it ripped into the RCA and, in doing so, arguably did more than the RCA to take attention away from Goodwood."

He was referring to The Jockey Club’s decision to announce that it was leaving the Racecourse Association during Goodwood, effectively doing its best to take some of the limelight away from the festival.

We can assure you, Lee, it didn’t.

Billy and BOW in the Sussex, Gosden versus Aidan, Jim Crowley retiring, SCANDINAVIA crowned Stayers King, undefeated DIAMOND NECKLACE, Wathnan laughing at Amo, Roger Teal and Katie Scott taking down the big guns... they're the headlines from Goodwood.

And no matter what spat the dusty blazer brigade at The Jockey Club had with the RCA, their business was never going to be able to even lay upsides the triumphs Goodwood put on show.

While racing’s politicians argued in the background, the horses did the talking.

Punters don’t care about boardroom battles — they care about the best racehorses in the world doing what they do best.

Racing won.

Side note on the subject: we initially thought the racecourses were stronger together, but after asking questions, the feedback we’re getting is that ‘the RCA are d*cks’ — they receive a huge amount of media rights money and, according to those we’ve spoken to, nobody really knows where it goes. That’s the problem, classic racing.

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Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

👑YELLY KELLY

We think that title works... Let us explain.

Lizzie Kelly has been making history... again.

Breaking new ground is nothing new for Kelly. She first entered the record books in 2015 when she became the first female jockey to win a Grade 1 over jumps, partnering TEA FOR TWO to victory.

Last weekend, she added another milestone to her CV by becoming the first woman to commentate on a full horserace card for a mainstream British broadcaster after stepping in at the last minute for Talksport.

Having only found out at 6am that she would be behind the microphone, Kelly admitted she was nervous, comparing it to riding in a big handicap on a horse that had never jumped.

Despite having absolutely ZERO prior race commentary experience, she nailed it, calling the opening four races before finishing with the King George Stakes.

Mega.

Afterwards, Kelly admitted she "shook like a leaf" after the opening race and celebrated the achievement with a G&T... nice.

And yes, she'll do it again.

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🥽BIG JIM DONE

When Jim Crowley announced his retirement last week, it didn't come as a huge surprise. At 48, he was already reaching the latter stages of his riding career, and after suffering one of the most horrific falls seen on a racecourse in recent years, many assumed it had brought the career of one of the weighing room's nicest blokes to an end. The bigger surprise came during his rehabilitation, when he revealed he was determined to make a comeback.

Starting off riding life as a jumps jockey, Jim transitioned to the flat and was fundamental in the making of many sires including the likes of ULYSEES, MOHAATHER and the mighty BAAEED.

Tributes have poured in from across the weighing room, with Oisin Murphy describing Crowley as one of the sport's finest big-race riders, while William Buick called him a brilliant jockey who will be greatly missed.

Tom Marquand, who picked up several of Crowley's big Saturday rides while he was side-lined through injury, never forgot about his friend amid the celebrations:

Trainers owed a lot to him too.

Owen Burrows, who combined with Jim for more than 200 winners and over 20 Group and Listed victories, thanked him for their long-standing partnership, whilst William Haggas described him as a consummate professional when reflecting on their success together with BAAEED.

Like Shaggas, Shadwell racing manager Richard Hills credited Jim as a true professional. He played a major role in the success of Shadwell horses including BAAEED, HUKUM and BATTAASH.

Jim will now pursue a new career as a trainer. Good luck, Jim!

💰84-77

Oisin Murphy admits the odds are against him in retaining the British Flat jockeys' championship as Billy Loughane goes 7 wins clear in the table (84-77).

Billy is the clear bookies' favourite at heavy odds-on, although his price drifted slightly yesterday after Oisin landed a Chester four-timer, including a winner on DANCE IN THE STORM – one we really should have put up as a bet. Doh.

Despite the much-needed big day, Oisin acknowledged that Billy still has the momentum, with his own overseas commitments likely to make it harder to keep pace in the title race.

Billy is oncourse to become the youngest British champion jockey of the post-war era and trainers are backing him to do it.

Richard Hughes knows what it takes – he was champion jockey three times – and believes Billy is now the man to beat, citing "the kid's" maturity in the saddle, aided by the guidance of his experienced agent, Tony Hind.

If Oisin thinks Billy has the momentum now, wait until you see where he's at by the end of this week. With William Buick banned, Billy has picked up a hell of a book of rides for Godolphin.

He's currently booked to ride CERRO BLANCO, one of Godolphin's best three-year-olds, NABATI, a beautiful NIGHT OF THUNDER two-year-old who arguably should have won last time, and FRANKEL debutant DESERT CASTLE, a full brother to a couple of top Group performers. He'll be well worth watching, trust us.

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