Jockey Nico de Boinville has accused the Racehorse Owners Association of negativity after it complained that the input of its members in the new David Power Jockeys’ Cup had not been adequately appreciated.
The jump jockey who rides the most winners in televised races between now and Aintree in April will win £500,000, the financial equivalent to a jockey of winning 10 Grand Nationals, with the trainers and his staff supplying the most winners collecting £50,000 each. That goes down to £10,000 for 10th but owners, however, get nothing.
Louise Norman, the BOA chief executive, said: “Whilst we fully support the need for the industry to be innovative, the ROA is disappointed that the new David Power Jockeys’ Cup has not taken into consideration any recognition or reward for racehorse owners.”
She described being given only 48 hours notice of the Jockeys’ Cup launch via a press release as “totally unacceptable” saying it “once again demonstrates the complete lack of appreciation from many in the industry for the owner and the real lack of understanding as to whom the horse belongs.”
But De Boinville, who ended the first day of the Jockeys’ Cup with two winners and a second in races televised on ITV, called on the BOA to “see the bigger picture”.
He said: “This is a new incentive and it is bringing new eyes to it. That’s incredibly important in this day and age, everyone has got to focus on the positives and not think so negatively.”
He pointed out that the Professional Jockeys Association has a collaboration with Sporting Chance, Tony Adams’s rehabilitation clinic. “A load of the money will go there to help the jockeys who go to Sporting Chance,” De Boinville said. “Jockeys suffer. It’s a really tough job – not only when you are riding but when you are retired as well.”
De Boinville was at his best on Hyland in the Paddy Power Novices’ Chase and on Jonbon in the Shloer Chase, making the running and making the most of their jumping on both. Mister Coffey, the third Nicky Henderson runner on the card, ran on well to finish second behind the pony-sized French raider Sweet David in the Glenfarclas Cross Country.
The winner was ridden by Felix de Giles who cut his teeth with De Boinville at Henderson’s. It is not hard to see how he is the reigning champion jump jockey in France. Despite the turning twisting nature of the course, in an absolute masterclass on how to ride the cross country, he was always on the inside round a bend and must have saved himself 20 lengths.
