In declaring himself unfit to ride the red-hot favourite Kauto Star in Sunday’s William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, Noel Fehily has lost the chance to ride the biggest winner of his career, but has definitely won the respect and admiration of the racing community, writes Elliot Slater.
Those looking at cheltenham 2011 tips know that it takes real guts and honesty to voluntarily stand yourself down from the biggest opportunity of your career, especially as a win on Kauto Star would have assured Fehily’s name would be guaranteed in the annals of racing history.
But since returning to race-riding recently, it transpires that Fehily has felt that has damaged wrist has not fully recovered and he does not want in any way to prove an obstacle to a historic success for one of the greatest horses of all-time. His magnanimous gesture will not quickly be forgotten, but it has opened the door for ‘BBC Sports Personality of the Year’ Tony McCoy to crown an outstanding 12 months, having been offered and having accepted the ride on the hugely popular 10-year-old, thus improving his cheltenham gold cup odds for success.
McCoy had been expecting to ride the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Albertas Run, but has been released to partner the Paul Nicholls-trained champion who is generally an even money chance to land his fifth successive ‘King George’ (although sponsors William Hill go a standout 11/10), and surpass the record of four wins that he shares with the outstanding Desert Orchid.
The reaction to Fehily’s decision has been almost unanimous, with Paul Nicholls, Kauto Star’s owner Clive Smith, and most significantly the general public applauding the jockey’s honesty and selflessness in passing over such an outstanding career opportunity.
Racing and betting forums have been full of unusually complimentary remarks pointing out what a fine jockey Fehily is, and what a gentleman he has proved himself to be.
This is one of those rare occasions when I fully share the sentiments of the ‘racing forum’ online communities.
