Geraghty lands big race in the USA
by Conall Collier Updated: Wednesday, 26th October, 2011 4:57pm
Ross Geraghty.
Meath jockey Ross Geraghty (pictured) landed the richest race over jumps in the USA at the weekend when he won the grade one Grand National Hurdle at Far Hills, New Jersey.
Drumree man Geraghty partnered the Irish bred Black Jack Blues to victory in the big race over two miles and five furlongs.
The eight-year-old ran at Galway this year, but was pulled up in a novice chase after making a mistake at the sixth when going well.
Barry Geraghty was on board that day, but Black jack Blues returned to winning form a few weeks later when on the mark in a four-runner race at Ffos Las.
The horse was purchased by Irvin Naylor subsequently and won on his first start in the USA at the beginning of October for Ross Geraghty and trainer Joseph Delozier.
Black Jack Blues made all the running in the big race and had seven lengths to spare at the post in the $250,000 contest.
Gordon Elliott's Dirar was also in the race, but finished a disappointing fifth for jockey Joey Elliott.
Trainer Noel Meade may run Muirhead in the United House Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot at the weekend, Muirhead won the Munster National at Limerick a few weeks ago
Another Meade horse, Realt Dubh, could re-appear in the Poplar Square Chase at Naas on Saturday, but the trainer will not make a decision until later this week.
The suspension handed out to Ruby Walsh over his use of the whip in England at the weekend has caused a lot of furore.
Barry Geraghty felt Walsh was badly done on Saturday when banned for five days for overstepping the new whip rules on a winner, Edgardo Sol, at Aintree.
Walsh has since declared that he will not ride in England at the smaller meetings.
Geraghty, who also divides his time between England and Ireland, is unhappy with the regulations now in force.
"I thought Ruby gave his horse a brilliant ride," said Geraghty.
"He stopped using the whip with about 100 yards to go and gave him one more smack and it was the difference between winning and losing.
"It was a brilliant ride and to get suspended for that is flying in the face of what we are trying to do. We want to win races, but not at all costs.
"If you are on a horse that travels well to the last, or between the last two, there's no need to get stuck into him for a major effort until late in the race.
"But if you are on a horse that's a bit lazy and wants a couple of smacks early on in the race to keep him up to his job your eight have gone and you're just watching the race go away from you.
"You can't ask the horse for the effort he needs to give to win when you are reduced to a passenger," stated the Drumree man.
Bohermeen jockey Johnny Murtagh has also criticised the new regulations in England.
"It's the only sport in the world where you can be suspended for trying too hard to win," remarked the popular jockey last week.
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