David Ord on Barry Geraghty, Roger Teal, Marcus Tregoning and crowds returning

GERAGHTY DESERVES THE PLAUDITS

Barry Geraghty’s retirement on Saturday night passed me by. An age thing, both his decision and my missing it on social media at 10.30pm.

But what a career.

He’ll always be synonymous with Moscow Flyer and the first incarnation of Sprinter Sacre. There was Kicking King who beat his rivals and an errant Father Christmas to land two King Georges and a Gold Cup, Bobs Worth, Simonsig, a National aboard Monty’s Pass.

In a golden era of jump jockeys it was a roll of honour to sit alongside the best.

And so was the rider. Brilliant over an obstacle and strong in the finish, he formed formidable partnerships with Jessica Harrington, Nicky Henderson and JP McManus, effortlessly filling the void left by Sir Anthony McCoy and putting his own stamp on the latter role.

In recent years there have been significant injuries which many of us felt would have brought the curtain down long before it eventually fell. But showing bravery, tenacity and a sheer love for the job, Geraghty came back.

With Mark Walsh picking up an increasing share of the Martinstown rides in Ireland, it was Britain that became the showcase for his talents in the autumn of his career and five winners at the Cheltenham Festival, including a brilliant Unibet Champion Hurdle victory aboard Epatante, was a magnificent swansong.

In hindsight it would have been the ideal spot to bow out, in the winners’ enclosure at Prestbury Park, but at that time there was still the hope and expectation that the Randox Health Grand National could take place. And JP had a team-and-a-half for that.

The competitor in Geraghty would have wanted one final shot at the Aintree showpiece and while he was denied that opportunity owing to circumstances beyond his control, he can reflect on a truly glorious career where he maximised everything that was.

The baton in the weighing room is being handed over and the current crop have awfully big boots to fill.

MORE EVIDENCE OF TEAL TALENTS

Understandably the spotlight in the immediate aftermath of the Darley July Cup fell upon Cieren Fallon.

The son of a riding legend, he’s quickly emerging from that particular shadow. Crowned champion apprentice in 2019 and now a Group One winner, it’s onwards and upwards, especially with dad Kieren and William Haggas to provide grounding, advice and direction.

But what a day it also was for trainer Roger Teal.

He was assistant to Philip Mitchell before taking out his own licence in 2007. Success followed with the likes of Steele Tango, but nothing on this scale.

Starting out in Epsom, he now finds himself in the heart of Lambourn at Windsor House Stables, home in the past to the likes of Peter Walwyn and Nicky Henderson.

His handling of Oxted has been exemplary, the son of Mayson progressing with racing and taking the step up to pattern company in his stride this term.

There was a hint of what was to come with his reappearance win in the Abernant Stakes and such was his dominance on Saturday, there’s every reason to believe it won’t be his last top flight success.

And he isn’t a one-off.

Teale trained Tip Two Win to beat all bar Saxon Warrior in the 2018 QIPCO 2000 Guineas, Kenzai Warrior won both starts at two in 2019, including the Horris Hill at Newbury, and ran well behind Kameko on his reappearance in the Guineas.

Good horses are hard to find for those with even the deepest pockets but Teal is developing the habit of unearthing gems for his owners and helping them fulfil their potential.

This season he’s ticking over at 18% with ten winners from 55 runners and there may be more golden days to come.

This isn’t a one-horse operation but they now have a flag-bearer to go to war with. It will be fascinating to see what happens next.

OLD FIRM STRIKE

Marcus Tregoning sported a wide smile following Mohaather’s runaway win in the Betfred Summer Mile at Ascot – and why not.

The trainer’s association with owner Hamdan Al Maktoum goes back over 30 years, to a time when he was assistant to Dick Hern during the golden days of Nashwan and Dayjur.

When the Major retired, it was Tregoning who took over the reins at Kingwood House and enjoyed plenty of success with horses such as Nayef and Mubtaker.

But then the momentum was lost. Makfi was sold unraced at the Tattersalls Horses In Training Sales in 2009. Less than a month later he made a winning start for new connections in France and went on to land the 2000 Guineas and Prix Jacues Le Marois.

Group horses were thin on the ground and in 2013 he was on the move to the historic Whitsbury Stables. Gone were the days of 60-plus Shadwell horses in his care but the owner did still support the trainer with five yearlings a year.

It’s fair to say they wouldn’t have been high on the shopping list of his other trainers but hope springs eternal and it’s amazing the difference one horse can make.

Enter Mohaather – a 110,000 guineas son of Showcasing who looks ready to land a Group One mile or two this year given his striking performance at Ascot.

He had already made a difference. As Chris McGrath wrote in the TDN in December, Shadwell are now again supporting Tregonin with bigger numbers and pedigrees.

Among 16 juveniles in his care sporting the blue and white silks this year are sons of War Front, Frankel and Kingman. It’s not quite gone full circle but one of the most enduring partnerships on the flat scene has plenty of life left in it.

RACECOURSES ITCHING TO OPEN GATES

There are murmurings that racegoers will soon be able to visit racecourses again. Not on the same scale as before, not in the same way as before, but at least it’s a start.

The weekend of July 25th has been whispered in some quarters for a potential return as the governing bodies of elite sports work with government on plans and procedures to allow some people in. They want to hear turnstiles clicking again, bringing in much needed revenue and help create an atmosphere the action we’ve been enjoying so deserves.

Goodwood are hoping to at least welcome members back for the Qatar Goodwood Festival, York would love to have people on the ground for the Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival. Quite how many and where remains to be seen.

But then you read on Sunday morning that the 'best-case' scenario for the release of successful Covid 19 vaccine is the first-half of next year and you’re essentially grounded again.

Can you really see a full house at Ascot for QIPCO Champions Day, Kempton for the William Hill King George, or dare I even say the Cheltenham Festival?

There may a tweak to the current normal in a few weeks, but the road to the old normal remains long and complicated.

Responsible gambling

We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

Sky Bet's responsible gambling tools are detailed here and if you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.

Further support and information can be found at GamCare and gamblingtherapy.org.