‘There's going to be a story or two I think’ - Johnny Ward on Aidan O’Brien’s jockey options Seamie Heffernan is unlikely to reunite with Aidan O’Brien despite the injury to Ryan Moore, according to Johnny Ward. O’Brien revealed earlier this week that the Ballydoyle retained rider is likely to miss the rest of the season with a broken leg. Back-up rider Wayne Lordan is also out suspended from September 9th to the 18th, making him unavailable for Irish Champions Weekend and the English St Leger. O’Brien has turned to Christophe Soumillon as a result, and discussing Ballydoyle’s issues in irishracing.com’s Irish Angle show this week, Ward poured cold water on the idea of a reunion with Heffernan. The 53-year-old worked for Ballydoyle for nearly three decades before leaving on the eve of the Flat season in Ireland last year to go freelance. At the time, it was insisted that there was no fallout and Heffernan may ride for O’Brien again but that has yet to come to fruition. Door Has Been Left Ajar “Now, if you were to ask somebody, say at the end of last year, what's more likely, an Oasis reunion or a Seamie and Aidan reunion?” joked Ward. “I don't know. It'd be interesting. Bookmakers would probably disagree on it. I would have thought Oasis was unlikely. “I just would have thought even though Aidan publicly left the door ajar, I would have thought this was very unlikely. I felt that was kind of the end of that. “Seamie is no spring chicken at this stage and maybe someday we'll get the full story. “I’m sure Seamie has made plenty of money. I've gone as a freelance journalist a few times in my life. It can give you a new lease of life.” Plenty Of Options For Ballydoyle “But Aidan this year, it’s interesting. His third most successful rider in Ireland by a long way has been Jack Cleary. He's even used riders who were not able to ride their claim in stakes races. “Ben Coen has ridden a winner. Mark Crehan has ridden seven times in Ireland. Chris Hayes is one from one, Billy Lee nought from three. Then you have Wayne who's not around obviously which adds so much luster to it. “Declan McDonogh has had six rides for him. Then you have Gavin Ryan and Paddy Smullen. Ronan Whelan’s ridden 18 times for him as well. I know Ronan will be champing at the bit obviously like everyone else to to pick up rides. “With Doncaster on as well, this is going to add so many layers to what are the jockey bookings for Ballydoyle come Thursday when you see declarations. So there's going to be a story or two I think.” Watch The Irish Angle In Full Or Listen On Spotify
