James M Barcoe

Down Royal Fri, 19th Jun, 2026  Nouvel Espoir I knew it (rain) wouldn't bother him too much, so I was happy coming up here. I was confident and he has done it well. I know him well. Obviously, I had a winner on him last year and I rode him plenty of times throughout the year. I spoke to Dylan Browne (McMonagle) beforehand, and he just said to keep it plain and simple and to take my time on him and he said he would run a great race for me. In fairness, he put his head down when I asked him to go and he hit the line well. Judging off the form of a couple of horses in the race, I thought they were going to go hard. Jimmy said to me to take my time and there was no need to rush. Get in and get comfortable, he said, and don't worry for the first three furlongs. Be nice and relaxed and go at the '2' pole. I'm still down with Joseph O'Brien and loving every day of it down there. Cheering home all the winners (in Royal Ascot), some training performance. With all the jockeys down there, you learn a lot. Every single person inside there has been a great help, and long may it last for all the good success.