Huge volumes of water, gallons of it muddied, will have sailed under the bridge since Kevin Stott became the latest jockey to be given the boot by Kia Joorabchian, the boss of Amo Racing.
The news only flashed up on my laptop as I was settling down to type this monthly bulletin and if it rankles me it sure as hell must irk Kevin Stott. I reflected last month the similar exit strategy experienced by Rossa Ryan last summer and he, despite the knock back has flourished since, as I am certain Stott will too.
Rejection at any level is an unsettling event, especially when notification of dismissal is transmitted by text or a brief email, each spineless, impersonal and ill-mannered methods of termination. Back in the days when missives of rebuff used to flutter through the letterbox, we probably occupied a gentler and more considerate world than this harder edged digital age.
It is of course the privilege of an employer to dismiss a minion whether justifiably or not, and often the worker has the right to appeal for unfair dismissal, but in the instance of a jockey or trainer being shown the door (how many synonyms are there for being given the boot?) they usually have no option save moving on.
I may be tempting fate, but I have to date only twice been given the 'tin-tack' and on both occasions the decision was entirely justifiable. In my post-youth Stock Exchange days, I spent far too much time in the betting shop and not nearly enough trying to learn about financial wizardry - mind you, the wizardry aspect was woefully lacking in the bookies too. I enjoyed my five years as a city slicker, and (pre-termination) my generous spirited boss even gave me six months off to go travelling in Australia, not even suggesting I should buy a one-way ticket.
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Esta historia es de la edición October 2023 de Racing Ahead.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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Tragedy Hits Racing Family - Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters
Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters. I will be far from alone in recent days in being overcome by emotions ranging from utter disbelief to revulsion upon hearing of the unspeakable acts perpetrated upon John Hunt's family, resulting in the death of his wife Carol and daughters, Hannah and Louise.
AUDIENCE IS ERUPTING
John Anthony reveals the latest top speedsters after another Glorious Goodwood
HORSE OF A LIFETIME
Graham Buddry pays fresh tribute to track legend Sea The Stars - surely one of the greatest ever
IT'S TIME TO TAKE STOCK
Paul Jacobs looks forward to seeing some big on-track questions answered
PLAYING TO THE WHISTLE
lan Heitman flies about to keep pace with a rush of two-year-old Flat action
WINNING JOY ON A BUDGET
Richard Eagle takes a trip to Windsor to check out peoples' route into the port of kings
GIFT HORSES AND FRENCH LESSONS
Robert Cooper finds 'retirement' is keeping him busy
FEUD GETS THE PARTY ROLLING
Karl Hedley savours the Galway Festival action and picks out the summer highlights at Ballybrit
ROCKING THE MONEY BAGS
Simon Nott reveals his recent experiences from trips to Brighton and Ascot
FLYING EVE'S BORN TO WIN
Nick Townsend talks to in-form trainer Eve Johnson Houghton