home or away?
July 22nd 2008 08:21
The takeover of the Woodlands Stud in Australia by Sheikh Mohammed's Darley Australia might hasten the return to Australia of top jockey Kerrin McEvoy.
(photo: www.godolphin.com)
McEvoy is the number two rider, behind Frankie Dettori, for Godolphin (the purely racing arm of the enterprise) in the northern hemisphere. He has ridden in excess of 300 winners in Britain with almost one third of these being for Godolphin.
After five seasons holding this position, two events now transpire to bring forward a difficult decision. The first being the unexpected acquisition of the Woodlands Stud operations in Australia by Darley Australia (racing & breeding). The second being the impending birth in November of the first child for Kerrin and wife Kathy (nee Payne). Either situation in isolation may have seen the status quo remain. Number two jockey in a racing juggernaut is not a bad position to hold. But combined with the birth of a first child - and the obvious strong family bond the Payne family hold - a return to Australia looms as a likely option.
Frankie Dettori is ten years older than McEvoy and at times it has appeared that the rigours of riding will see him prematurely retire. It would be expected that Kerrin would then assume the number one mantle in Europe. Return to Australia and it is unlikely that Kerrin would ever gain the much vaunted number one position for the stable in the northern hemisphere. So close - so far (from home).
This will not be an easy decision to make. Although Darren Beadman, Corey Brown and Danny Nikolic have all been suggested as possibilities to take over the Australian position for Darley Australia, it would be expected that Kerrin McEvoy would gain the position - if he so wishes.
The comforts of (home) Australia and family and the choice of best rides from a substantial list of quality horses, versus the lure of racing against the world's best in Europe for a powerhouse racing operation. Both situations a dream for any jockey. Not difficult to pick one from the outside. But a difficult choice in swapping one for another.
A brief history of Kerrin McEvoy and his partnership with Godolphin:
Kerrin McEvoy was given the ride on Godolphin's Beekeeper in the 2002 Melbourne Cup and impressed the stable with his riding ability in achieving third placing.
Kerrin made the move to Godolphin in 2004 and soon tasted success. He had his first ride in the Epsom Derby that year, finishing runner-up to North Light aboard Rule Of Law. Three months later he won the St Leger on the same horse.
KERRIN McEVOY FACTS & FIGURES
20 July 2008
• Kerrin McEvoy, Godolphin’s second jockey, has ridden 117 winners from 518 rides since joining Godolphin in 2002.
• From these 518 rides, Kerrin has had 96 seconds and 52 thirds.
• Kerrin’s Win Strike Rate is 22% and his Win/Place Strike Rate is 51%.
• The breakdown of Kerrin's rides in Group races is as follows:-
Group One: 55 rides - 6 wins - 11% strike rate
Group Two: 39 rides - 4 wins - 10% strike rate
Group Three: 36 rides - 8 wins - 22% strike rate
Kerrin McEvoy on Tariq winning the 2007 Betfair Cup:
Goldolphin stable jockeys: Dettori & McEvoy
(photo: www.godolphin.com)
McEvoy is the number two rider, behind Frankie Dettori, for Godolphin (the purely racing arm of the enterprise) in the northern hemisphere. He has ridden in excess of 300 winners in Britain with almost one third of these being for Godolphin.
After five seasons holding this position, two events now transpire to bring forward a difficult decision. The first being the unexpected acquisition of the Woodlands Stud operations in Australia by Darley Australia (racing & breeding). The second being the impending birth in November of the first child for Kerrin and wife Kathy (nee Payne). Either situation in isolation may have seen the status quo remain. Number two jockey in a racing juggernaut is not a bad position to hold. But combined with the birth of a first child - and the obvious strong family bond the Payne family hold - a return to Australia looms as a likely option.
Frankie Dettori is ten years older than McEvoy and at times it has appeared that the rigours of riding will see him prematurely retire. It would be expected that Kerrin would then assume the number one mantle in Europe. Return to Australia and it is unlikely that Kerrin would ever gain the much vaunted number one position for the stable in the northern hemisphere. So close - so far (from home).
This will not be an easy decision to make. Although Darren Beadman, Corey Brown and Danny Nikolic have all been suggested as possibilities to take over the Australian position for Darley Australia, it would be expected that Kerrin McEvoy would gain the position - if he so wishes.
The comforts of (home) Australia and family and the choice of best rides from a substantial list of quality horses, versus the lure of racing against the world's best in Europe for a powerhouse racing operation. Both situations a dream for any jockey. Not difficult to pick one from the outside. But a difficult choice in swapping one for another.
A brief history of Kerrin McEvoy and his partnership with Godolphin:
Kerrin McEvoy was given the ride on Godolphin's Beekeeper in the 2002 Melbourne Cup and impressed the stable with his riding ability in achieving third placing.
Kerrin made the move to Godolphin in 2004 and soon tasted success. He had his first ride in the Epsom Derby that year, finishing runner-up to North Light aboard Rule Of Law. Three months later he won the St Leger on the same horse.
KERRIN McEVOY FACTS & FIGURES
20 July 2008
• Kerrin McEvoy, Godolphin’s second jockey, has ridden 117 winners from 518 rides since joining Godolphin in 2002.
• From these 518 rides, Kerrin has had 96 seconds and 52 thirds.
• Kerrin’s Win Strike Rate is 22% and his Win/Place Strike Rate is 51%.
• The breakdown of Kerrin's rides in Group races is as follows:-
Group One: 55 rides - 6 wins - 11% strike rate
Group Two: 39 rides - 4 wins - 10% strike rate
Group Three: 36 rides - 8 wins - 22% strike rate
Kerrin McEvoy on Tariq winning the 2007 Betfair Cup:
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Comment by Leonard Marlborough
Racing Write
Sunday, 27 July 2008: The Darley organisation today confirmed the appointment of Kerrin McEvoy as its Australian stable jockey.
McEvoy will be based in Sydney with the Peter Snowden stable and will return to Australia from the UK immediately.