Jockey Nico de Boinville has accused the Racehorse Owners’ Association of bias after complaining that its members’ contributions to the new David Power Jockeys’ Cup were not sufficiently valued.
The top winning jumper jockey at April’s Aintree and TV races will receive £500,000. This is the equivalent of a jockey winning 10 Grand Nationals, with the top winners receiving £50,000 each. For the 10th it costs £10,000, but the owner gets nothing.
BOA CEO Louise Norman said: “We fully support the need for innovation in the industry but the ROA is disappointed that the new David Power Jockeys’ Cup does not recognize and reward racehorse owners.”
In a press release, she described the announcement of the launch of the Jockeys Cup just 48 hours notice as “absolutely unacceptable” and “demonstrates yet again the lack of gratitude many in the industry have for club owners”. It shows a real lack of clarity about who owns the horses.
But De Boinville, who ended the first day of the Jockeys’ Cup with two winners and two runners-up in races broadcast on ITV, urged the BOA to “look at the big picture”.
“This is a new stimulus and it brings a new perspective to the business,” he said. This is very important today. “Everyone should stop thinking negatively and focus on the positive.”
He noted that the Professional Jockeys Association has a partnership with Tony Adams’ rehabilitation clinic, Sporting Chance. “There is a lot of money available to help jockeys who take part in Sporting Chance,” De Boinville said. “The jockeys are suffering. It is a very difficult task. Not only when you drive, but also when you retire”.
De Boinville had top performances in the Paddy Power Novices’ Chase from Hyland and Johnbon in the Schloer Chase, leading both legs and making the most of the jumps. Mr Coffey, the third Nicky Henderson rider on the card, rode well to finish second behind French pony-sized rider Sweet David at the Cross of Glenfarclas.
The winner was ridden by Felix de Giles, who cut his teeth with De Boinville at Henderson. It is not difficult to understand that he is the French champion jumper. Despite the twisty nature of the course, he always rode the bends and saved at least 20 lengths in an absolute cross-country masterclass.
