HAFFNER, HEWICK, STEWARDS & THE O'BRIEN DYNASTY.

On occasions, you just like the look of a horse. Yesterday, at Newmarket, I was taken by both the manner of the victory and the overall look of Haffner and would prefer him evry day of the week above Abraham Lincoln who beat him on debut. I am fully aware that you would have to look long and hard for several seasons to find a filly or colt at Ballydoyle that could be described as unattractive, with the majority of the colts sporting the look of equine demi-gods. Given the unlikely opportunity that 'the lads' granted me one of my wishes, I would have Haffner associated with my name, especially when it comes to next season's Epsom Derby.

One of racing's great selling points is the diversity you will find on any day of the week. In today's Racing Post, either side of a photograph of 'buy of the century and 3-mile chaser Hewick' is a feature on the upcoming Juddmonte at York and David O'Meara's plans for Estrange that includes the Yorkshire Oaks and the Arc. Hewick makes the page due to his retirement after finishing third in a hurdle race at Cork in mid-week. Shark Hanlon plans to have an open day in August so that anyone who wishes to pay their respects to his great horse may do so. Shark described the planned event as a bit of a party to celebrate Hewick's achievements, before the horse leaves Shark's care to spend his retirement with his owner. Never was 800-quid better spent.

I am not saying that Jo Mason was dealt with unduly harshly by the York stewards yesterday, with her four-day suspension for careless riding a given due to the wording of the rule. Yet I will ask this - what is expected of a jockey, in a tight finish involving most of the field, to achieve the best possible finish? The horse closest to the rail was holding her in and the jockey in behind wanted a gap to appear so he could make his run. In that situation, when every jockey is attempting to gain the best possible placing, what is a jockey to do? Was Jo Mason expected to wave the jockey through, say after you Claude, I'll follow after you? Many jockeys in that race were making split-second decisions all in the same moment, with, I propose, many a bump and impeded run in the also rans.

I have seen jockeys veer off a straight line when they had only empty space around them, impede another runner, sometimes seriously, enough for injury to horse or rider to might occur, and not even be given a caution from the stewards. In the heat of an enquiry, stewards sometimes arrive at the wrong verdict, yet they are given discretion and are not publicly sanctioned for their errors of judgemente. I simply think that on occasions jockeys too should be given discretion, with a caution more than apt for the riding error committed yesterday by Jo Mason.

Yesterday at Ascot, 7Ib apprentice Harry Vigors was given a 7-day suspension for 'failure to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure his mount was run on its merits.' Firstly, this a 7Ib claiming jockey who may have achieved a good level of success in a short space of time but all the same lacks experience. His mount reared as the stalls opened, leaving him with little chance of even being placed. He accepted his fate and did not subject his mount to a hard race for no likely reward. The trainer was happy with the ride. Again, why was discretion not used here. Have the lad in, show him a replay of the race, ask a few questions and then caution him, perhaps with the sanction of a couple of vists to the Racing School. There was no carelessness here, no dangerous riding, and as last place was his likely finishing position due to the misbehaviour of the horse at the start, surely he did ride to gain his best possible finish.

As an aside, I would like to know if stewards are allowed alcohol while they are on duty. If yes, it offers an explanation for some of their decisions.

My favourite O'Brien is Joseph. Many would say Aidan but to me, though he was given a silver spoon of a racing education, plus his Owning Hill racing complex, Joseph has carved his place at the top table without the assistance of the Coolmore Lads. His interview with David Jennings in today's Racing Post provides a great insight into Joseph as a human being, as well as Joseph the trainer and son of the greatest of all time.

For all his success at the highest level of our sport, I believe Aidan's greatest achievement is his family. I know very little about Ana apart from her injury-stopping career as an apprentice jockey but I have no doubt she is cut from the same exquisite cloth as her two brothers. Mr & Mrs O'Brien can be justly proud of their offspring.