Ranking Qualified Riders

ComplyOrDie

I frequently see people placing bets on horses solely based on the pilot. As a keen Bumper fan I’m amazed at how people rate the various pilots. Below is a list of the current top 10 QR riders this season (on track, excluding P2Ps)



P.W. Mullins * by far the best bumper jockey I’ve ever seen, not stylish, very strong and tactically streets ahead of competition. You might say he's riding the best horses but he’s just so good it's not even funny, he’s at least 3lb better than anyone else.

J.J. Codd * excellent P2P jockey, but no match for Patrick in bumpers, tactically he lacking.


L. O'Neill * growing on me but can get it so wrong in bumpers, some of her chasing has been foot perfect (fair play to her as she’s taken all opportunities on the big stage)

K. Walsh * overrated and past it

T. Hamilton * still forming an opinion

D.J. Benson * thinks he's still riding on flat needs to drop pegs a few holes, not at bottom of list by any means.

D. O'Connor * excellent P2P jockey, track riding is painful to watch, he might get away with dropping a 3 miler out the back in a p2p but that doesn’t fly in bumpers and he's regularly seen flying home

B. O'Neill * under rated, very good p2p rider, very few rides in bumpers but is very strong

R. Deegan * could be good with time

F. Maguire * probably the most over rated in list, stylish and that’s about it, no hands, weak, not tactical.

What do you think? I’m sure a few will disagree with some of my opinions.

BoroMan32

Patrick Mullins is tactically streets ahead of JJ Codd?

Couldn't agree with that. As a horseman (in all respects) Mullins isn't fit to lace Codd's boots.

BumperD

PM gets a bit too much stick. Having said that, I'd rank JJ slightly ahead if given the same ammunition

uxiant

No other amateurs can get the same tune out of a horse as Codd. Strong in the saddle and is just on another level.

Copper_pipe

I’d have Codd ahead Of PW

famagusta

I'm assuming the OP is Patrick Mullins!!?

diomed

I think Olivier Peslier is a great jockey.

posturingpat

Finnie Maguire has no hands? Am I missing something? He's all hands to my eye.

Francie Barrett

ComplyOrDie wrote: »

P.W. Mullins * by far the best bumper jockey I’ve ever seen

You've not seen very many jockeys then!

As much as it pains me to say it, Ted Walsh is the best Irish amateur jockey ever. Back in the 80's when he was riding, if a trainer thought that he had a horse that had any bit of a chance, he'd have Ted Walsh on it. Walsh was actually making so much money from getting rides on bumper horses that he had no need to go professional. Always remember a friend of my father having a total monkey of a horse that had ability but no interest in the game. At no inconsiderable cost, they got Walsh to take the ride and sure enough, he got it to win which let my uncle get rid of it.

Lt Dan

Francie Barrett wrote: »

You've not seen very many jockeys then!

As much as it pains me to say it, Ted Walsh is the best Irish amateur jockey ever. Back in the 80's when he was riding, if a trainer thought that he had a horse that had any bit of a chance, he'd have Ted Walsh on it. Walsh was actually making so much money from getting rides on bumper horses that he had no need to go professional. Always remember a friend of my father having a total monkey of a horse that had ability but no interest in the game. At no inconsiderable cost, they got Walsh to take the ride and sure enough, he got it to win which let my uncle get rid of it.

Is there any reason why top amateurs , that have proven it at Group level against the pros (when they get the chance) not go pro? Insurance? Have other careers?

Francie Barrett

Lt Dan wrote: »

Is there any reason why top amateurs , that have proven it at Group level against the pros (when they get the chance) not go pro? Insurance? Have other careers?

In the 80's when prize money was a lot worse than it is now a lot of owners and trainers were kept going by selling horses over to England. Just like it is now, an Irish bumper horse with a 1 next to its name commanded good money. Since Ted was essentially the big fish in the small pond, he could name his price as a fee as he was easily the best pilot going. Throw in Cheltenham and some work riding and he would have had plenty going on and done very well for himself.

Imhof Tank

Lt Dan wrote: »

Is there any reason why top amateurs , that have proven it at Group level against the pros (when they get the chance) not go pro? Insurance? Have other careers?

Think the weight they ride at is a big factor for many of the amateurs.

i.The weights for all Four-Year-Old Maiden races and Lady Rider races has now been set at 11st 10lbs
ii.The weights for all Five-Year-Old and upwards Mares Maiden races has been set at 11st 10lbs
iii.The weights for all Winners and Open Lightweight races has now been set at 12st 1lb

that's in P2P.

In bumpers

11 st 4 lb (4yo);
12 st 0 lb (5–7yo)

ComplyOrDie

Interesting turn of events in bumper this evening. Patrick gets called up for gordons gigginstown fav, while Jamie left fighting for the scrap. Makes total sense tbh, use the best available.

gazza1

ComplyOrDie wrote: »

I frequently see people placing bets on horses solely based on the pilot. As a keen Bumper fan I’m amazed at how people rate the various pilots. Below is a list of the current top 10 QR riders this season (on track, excluding P2Ps)



P.W. Mullins * by far the best bumper jockey I’ve ever seen, not stylish, very strong and tactically streets ahead of competition. You might say he's riding the best horses but he’s just so good it's not even funny, he’s at least 3lb better than anyone else.

J.J. Codd * excellent P2P jockey, but no match for Patrick in bumpers, tactically he lacking.


L. O'Neill * growing on me but can get it so wrong in bumpers, some of her chasing has been foot perfect (fair play to her as she’s taken all opportunities on the big stage)

K. Walsh * overrated and past it

T. Hamilton * still forming an opinion

D.J. Benson * thinks he's still riding on flat needs to drop pegs a few holes, not at bottom of list by any means.

D. O'Connor * excellent P2P jockey, track riding is painful to watch, he might get away with dropping a 3 miler out the back in a p2p but that doesn’t fly in bumpers and he's regularly seen flying home

B. O'Neill * under rated, very good p2p rider, very few rides in bumpers but is very strong

R. Deegan * could be good with time

F. Maguire * probably the most over rated in list, stylish and that’s about it, no hands, weak, not tactical.

What do you think? I’m sure a few will disagree with some of my opinions.

Personally I'd have NINA ahead of them all but that's just my opinion.