Jockey Analysis: ‘He's fighting gravity, and usually gravity wins. This time, Harry Swan wins’ Every day in horse racing, jockeys display remarkable pieces of horsemanship that all too often go unnoticed. Now that racing replays are available on irishracing.com sponsored by William Hill, former jockey Paddy Flood, who is also a jockey coach and lead analyst, has the opportunity to shine a light on the remarkable skills displayed in the saddle. On this occasion, amateur jockey, Harry Swan, is in the spotlight for his inspired skills aboard Clovelly Charm for trainer Pat Fahy in the 2m.2f bumper at Sligo last week. Paddy Flood’s Analysis - Look how high that left foot is! Harry Swan is in full drive with a left-handed whip. Watch where Harry Swan's body position ends up. It's unbelievable how he stays on this horse, look how high that left foot is. The saddle has completely shifted. Completely shifted. What's amazing about this is that there's absolutely no panic in Harry Swan's body language. At this stage, he's fighting gravity, and usually gravity wins. This time, Harry Swan wins. Watch The Jockey Angle in full Harry kicks his foot out, gets himself back into position, and keeps driving. That determination to win is just amazing. Look at that. He kicked his foot out, got himself back down, got pretty aggressive with the horse, finished second, but was awarded the race in the stewards' room because the horse that passed the post first had carried him all the way up the straight. Amateur jockeys don't get paid for race riding, but if I were Pat Fahy, I'd be putting an extra €50 in Harry Swan's wage packet because he earned every penny of it. That was an amazing piece of horsemanship. About Paddy Flood Life as a jockey Which trainers did you ride for when you were a jockey? Dessie Hughes, Edward O'Grady, Mouse Morris, Mick Halford and Martin Brasil. In Australia - Leon and Troy Corstons who trained Starspangledbanner, Gai Waterhouse, and Ciaron Maher. Your three most memorable wins as a jockey? Cheltenham Coral Cup on Ninetieth Minute, Irish Grand National on Hear The Echo and the Morgiana Hurdle on Hardy Eustace. Most underrated skill of a jockey? Brains and balls! One is no good without the other and strength, I'm not sure people know how physically strong jockeys are for their weight. One thing fans don't realise about race riding? In some jumps races you might only see 3 out of the 10 jumps, usually in big handicaps you hear the hurdles but don’t see much of them. Favourite racehorse of all time (one you rode)? Ponmeoath who won 2 Kerry Nationals back-to-back, he was tiny but the best jumper of a fence I ever sat on. Jockey coaching What's the first thing you look for in a young jockey? Attitude, if they can listen to instruction/advice that's the perfect start, you can teach all the other steps. Biggest mistake young riders make? Young riders can reach for the whip when they come under pressure,they tend to go from 1st gear to 5th, by that I mean they expect horses to go from hard on the bridle to flat out in a matter of a few strides, this usually unbalances horses and they don't enjoy it. One piece of advice for anyone dreaming of becoming a jockey? Keep your eyes and ears open, watch and learn from the better people. If you're going to be a jockey you have to be committed to the hard work that goes with it. Best advice you've ever been given? Don't spend time worrying about what people think of you, you're not that important! Race analysis Favourite race to analyse? A race with a bit of drama! Good or bad. What's the one thing you notice that most viewers miss? I tend to watch the jockey's body language from early in the race and I can tell if they are happy or not. Which current jockey do you most enjoy watching and why? Darragh O’Keefe. He has such good balance over a jump and is strong as an ox in a finish, he will give a horse in a 3yo hurdle the same ride as a horse in a Grade 1. Favourite racehorse of all time (not one you rode)? Kauto Star, he dined at the top table for so long and the fact he could throw in a sketchy jump and always had you on the edge of your seat. Him and Ruby were a match made in heaven!
