it's over: how will the flat survive?

​When I suggested in a letter published by the Racing Post that Frankie Dettori and Ryan Moore were the best flat jockeys of my lifetime, I got pretty-well rounded on by several diehard Lester Piggott supporters who could not countenance any debate on the matter. It is a subjective opinion, of course. They believe one thing; I believe something different. I was not in any way knocking the legend that is Lester. Only a fool would criticise the talent of a man with a career record like his and who dedicated his life to be able to ride at the weight flat racing demanded. How much more would Lester have achieved riding today, with top-weights in handicaps and the weights in Group races being so much higher than in his day? He might have afforded himself two-slices of unbuttered bread first thing in the morning rather than the one legend tells of him.
The difference between Lester, Frankie and Ryan, is about style and grace, for me. Although Lester could sit as quiet as a mouse on a horse, especially when riding the classy horses of Vincent O’Brien, think Nijinsky or Sir Ivor, compared to Frankie and Ryan he was a steam train, all-action and forceful persuasion, his whole body galvanised to extract the 100% effort needed from his mount to change certain defeat into barely believable victory. Frankie, in particular, is grace in the saddle personified. His body barely moving as he gains lengths on his opponents by keeping his mount balanced, gently persuading rather than demanding 100% effort, use of the whip kept to a minimum.
As with Frankie, Ryan Moore has no need to get in the car and attend the races seven-days a week, an advantage most of his colleagues would like to possess. It is my opinion that Ryan edges Frankie in the ‘greatest-ever’ category only because I detect fewer riding errors, not that Frankie can be accused of that oversight this season.
What cannot be denied by anyone, even if the Frankie farewell circus has become an overpowering narrative this season, is that no one will ever be able to fill the void in the coming flat seasons that the great man’s departure for California will leave. He is irreplaceable and that is no exaggeration. 
The boy coming through who will, I predict in time, become the next ‘best-loved jockey by the public’ will by Billy Loughnane. If he keeps his nose clean and maintains his weight at where it is now, he will be champion jockey in the next few seasons, perhaps even as early as next season. Though next season may be too early in his development as a jockey and adult, by the end of next season he will riding as stable jockey to one of the big stables, though I hope if Amo come calling his advisors will guide him in a different directions as it obvious along with a fat retainer comes mighty pressure. And if capable young jockeys like Rossa Ryan and Kevin Stott couldn’t stand the heat, it would be folly to throw a wide-eyed, smiley Billy Loughnane into the cauldron.
Remember, when the pressure heated up for Frankie last season, he, too, exposed himself as only human.
Returning to Frankie. Would anyone be surprised if Amo offers Frankie a retainer to come over to Europe next season to ride King of Steel in all the big races he will be running in? I doubt if any jockey outside of Dettori, Moore or Buick – neither of them have any pressure on them as they have no need to prove their big-race ability – would have won on King of Steel at Ascot. I have been an admirer of King of Steel since the Epsom Derby and predicted that as a 4-year-old he would rule the roost, but I think he was flattered in the Champion Stakes by running past very tired horses, rather than winning by superior speed.
The genius of Frankie was better demonstrated by his ride on Trawlerman. It is a given that on very soft ground it is rare for a horse to be able to make up the sort of ground, for example, Trueshan was given to do. I am not being critical of Hollie Doyle as I suspect the horse was never travelling particularly well and Alan King did say he would be held up, rather than make the pace as he did in France last time. I also believe Trueshan needs a trip in excess of 2-miles these days to seen at his best. But as with everyone else, she was a long way off the pace on a horse with stamina to burn.
I see no reason why Trueshan should not be campaigned over hurdles this season. If he jumps okay, there are plenty of races to be won with him, even if they decide to skip the Stayers Hurdle at the Festival to preserve him for the early staying races on the flat. If he has lost his sparkle, he is going to be a long-time retired if they do not give him a chance at a second career over hurdles.