We’ve got some great insight from racing legend Robbie Power on the upcoming jumps season, courtesy of our friends at Boylesports Racing.
The Grand National winning jockey has hung up his saddle but is still heavily involved in racing, but has taken time out of his busy schedule to talk through some of the key talking points ahead of the jumps season, including:
- How he expects Irish-trained horses to dominate again this season
- Who he thinks win Champion Jockey this season
- A must-visit racecourse
- A future Gold Cup contender
- His role with Henry De Bromhead
- His thoughts on the future of National Hunt racing
Irish-trained horses will dominate for seasons to come
“I don’t see the Irish-trained dominance continuing forever but I certainly do for the next few seasons”
“I don’t see the Irish-trained dominance continuing forever but I certainly do for the next few seasons and that’s down to a combination of things. Irish owners and trainers have been winning in the sales ring and the saying is that if you win in the sales ring, you’ll win on the track. Bringing all this competitive racing together will make it even more enticing for English owners to train their horses in Ireland because the prize money is so unbelievable and it’ll be easier for English owners to commute to Ireland and watch their horses over one weekend.”
Jack Kennedy can become champion jockey if he stays fit
“Obviously you’ve got the big combinations in Ireland and I think Jack Kennedy has taken on a more predominant role riding for Gordon Elliott and he’s had a fantastic summer.”
“I think it’s a given that Paul Townend is going to be champion jockey with Willie Mullins but Jack has actually built up quite a useful lead and if he can stay injury free then it would be no surprise to me if Jack is top jockey and nobody deserves it more because he’s been plagued with injury over the last few seasons so I’d love to see him have a clear run this year.”
You’ve not been racing if you haven’t visited Navan racecourse
“People need to visit Navan racecourse without a shadow of a doubt. Really knowledgable racing people go to Navan, the racing there is fantastic and for me it’s the best test for a horse ahead of Cheltenham. It’s a fair track and if you haven’t been to Navan racecourse then you haven’t been to racing.”
Navan Racecourse,
Proudstown Rd,
Navan,
County Meath.
Ireland.
Navan Racecourse
Navan is a Grade 1 track in County Meath and racing was first held there back in 1920. Over the years, many a great horse has grace the turf, including hurdlers like Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca and the legendary Moscow Flyer. It continues to attract top quality horses owing to an ever-increasing hunger to stage top class races with great prize-money. Navan is a left-handed track, 1m2f long with a stiff uphill climb to the winning line, which has claimed many a horse that failed to last home. It races on the flat, but is far more renowned for its national hunt fixtures. Many of Ireland’s finest will race here on route to the big festivals in spring.
‘Classy’ Bob Olinger can become a Gold Cup horse
“I think Bob Olinger can develop into a Gold Cup horse. He needs to put his two disappointing runs behind him but he’s only been beaten once over fences. He’s got bundles of class and he could very easily make a huge progression.”
My role with Henry de Bromhead is keeping my racing interest alive
“My emotions are obviously different because I’m not riding anymore but I’ve taken up a role with Henry de Bromhead assisting in the operation so that’s given me a huge interest and I still feel competitive doing it.
I love the National Hunt season and I still look forward to it with great excitement. Okay, I won’t be riding but plotting campaigns for Henry’s horses gives me a great interest.”
The future of National Hunt racing is very healthy
“I definitely think that the future of the sport is looking healthy. We’ve got some very good owners in National Hunt racing in Ireland and the best horses are staying in Ireland at the moment. The prize money is exceptional and these weekends of competitive racing make it even more enticing for owners to travel over and watch their horses run over one weekend rather than being spread out over multiple weekends.”
“I definitely think that the future of the sport is looking healthy.”
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