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Sam Twiston Davies

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  • Sam Twiston Davies

    Stop digging. Should not have apologised and now this


    "Everything had gone very well. Just down to the last I set him up for a nice stride. He jumped it very well and just landed a little bit flat," he told At The Races.

    "As we left the last I just squeezed him. It looks as if he's had a bit of a buck and has dived out to his right and I've fallen off. That's the long and short of it.

    "It's no secret I'm very active in my lower leg and it's one of those. I've been squeezing him all the way round as I've moved my lower leg back to squeeze him to go forward, whether I've pinched him or he's not liked it, it's set him off for whatever reason.

    "It's something I'm looking into in my riding. It's something we can improve and be a better jockey for. It's disappointing it's happened. I apologised and hopefully I can go forward."

    The Southwell incident came hot on the heels of Cheltenham on Friday when Twiston-Davies was unshipped after Politologue ducked to the right before the final flight when about to make his challenge.

    He said: "All the years I've been riding - I've fallen off on the Flat before when slipping on a bend - but never from the same incident twice in three days and you do start to think things through and say 'what am I doing and why is it happening?'.

    "It is disappointing. You do start to question your riding. It's something I've been looking at, but whether I will be able to change it now I don't know.

    "It is something I will be looking at if a horse is winning well, I'll be digging my heels in rather than trying to squeeze him trying to go forward.

    "I want to try to improve so these things don't happen in the future.

    "I'm in a very lucky position, I ride for the champion trainer. I get to ride lots of good horses and I'm going to Catterick tomorrow to ride an odds-on shot (Warriors Tale) in a novice chase.

    "You always get these chances again. It's the ones you don't get back you regret. I want to improve so these things don't happen again."

  • #2
    Pilots will always come in for criticism because the public are usually punters who invariably talk through their wallets.
    STD is clearly a top jockey, Nicholls recognised this when Ruby went back to Ireland a couple of years ago and he wouldn't have made that decision alone, he would have consulted with the likes of Ruby, AP and probably a number of his owners.
    Looking at the incidents objectively they're not errors, they're symptoms of a racing style but that same style got him one of the top jobs going so I don't think anyone can be critical.
    I remember when AP tried bullying Best Mate and Hen threw the champ off because his style didn't suit the horse.
    It's always good to look at your performance and strive for improvements so a little self analysis is no bad thing, but I'm not sure STD has failed in these incidents....

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    • #3
      Some will say it was the right thing to put his hand up and take the blame but I think he may have made a rod for his own back.

      Everytime he comes off now some cad on twitter will be looking for an apology.

      I have no time for punters blaming jockeys - if you dont rate them dont back or go the whole hog and lay them. Most are trying their best...even the mediocre ones

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      • #4
        If he avoids injury Sam could be a great jockey ...the best jockeys in weigh room all over 35 IMO. Fehily and Aspell in particular only found significant success in latter part of their careers. I'm guessing as guys get older they care a bit less about what others think - as well as having learnt from past mistakes.

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        • #5
          He's certainly struggling at the moment is Sam, he couldn't find a stride at any fence on Ptit Zig today, a drop in confidence can become self fulfilling and perpetuate the problem. I Like Sam but the high profile owners he's now riding for will be making noises for change soon

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          • #6
            Meanwhile Nick lands a Grade1 at Chepstow

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            • #7
              Originally posted by mayo View Post
              Meanwhile Nick lands a Grade1 at Chepstow
              yep, with Nick and Sean Bowen as alternatives I can see some owners suggesting they be given the rides on their horses, hope Sam gets over his block soon, seems a shame, maybe the responsibility is a bit much for him

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              • #8
                Originally posted by MrMcGoldrick View Post
                yep, with Nick and Sean Bowen as alternatives I can see some owners suggesting they be given the rides on their horses, hope Sam gets over his block soon, seems a shame, maybe the responsibility is a bit much for him
                Its a tough job for sure ...Sam Thomas, Daryl etc.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by MrMcGoldrick View Post
                  He's certainly struggling at the moment is Sam, he couldn't find a stride at any fence on Ptit Zig today, a drop in confidence can become self fulfilling and perpetuate the problem. I Like Sam but the high profile owners he's now riding for will be making noises for change soon
                  The confidence thing is real..it travels down the reins.

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                  • #10
                    If he rides a couple of big winners he will get out of this. At the minute his confidence looks shot but that can come from not having faith in horses he is riding.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Morning Glory View Post
                      If he rides a couple of big winners he will get out of this. At the minute his confidence looks shot but that can come from not having faith in horses he is riding.
                      True but when he puts one on the ground whilst the stable second choice boots home a grade one at another meeting he'll be questioning his choice of rides in addition to his own riding style, playing mind games with himself is his biggest hurdle, let's hope he can get over that one

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                      • #12
                        He has ridden 5 winners from 20 rides this month. He is doing fine.

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                        • #13
                          Just the one ride for Nicholls tomorrow.

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                          • #14
                            Riding TNO at Haydock.

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by mayo View Post
                              Just the one ride for Nicholls tomorrow.
                              ye, I fancy him to boot this one home

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