It was always going to be tough for John O’Shea in the early days as the new head trainer of Godolphin.
O’Shea took over from Peter Snowden in early May, who trained some of the most gifted gallopers this country has produced in recent times, including Denman, Sepoy, Helmet and Long John.
But in the time since O’Shea has taken over, the global racing giant has gone backwards.
It’s hard to point the blame directly at O’Shea. It is his first proper season at the job, and taking care of at least 300 horses is no easy task. But the numbers don’t read well when you line them up against Snowden this time last year.
In September 2013, Snowden saddled up 116 runners, winning 23 and placing on another 25 occasions. Fast forward to September 22, and O’Shea has saddled up 47 runners for 4 wins and 8 placings.
As I’ve said, it is his first season in charge and the bad weather in Sydney during the winter didn’t help. But the numbers aren’t good for a racing empire that prides itself on success and producing the best youngsters.
What quality of animal could springboard O’Shea and Godolphin to the top of the tree in the key races from a breeding perspective?
We saw in the Golden Rose they had two contenders, Kumaon and Sarajevo, and both failed to get the victory to propel them to future stallions.
Prior to that, Meursault, a highly touted horse after his debut win, had run poorly in two runs and his campaign is up in the air.
Earthquake was one of the star fillies from last season, but has been just ok in two runs this Spring, not winning and being well held. In saying that, her breeding future is sealed thanks to her Blue Diamond triumph.
The lone three-year-old that looks impressive is Sweynesse, the impressive winner of the Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle last Wednesday. He appears as though he’ll go close in the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and then the Victoria Derby (2500m).
Apart from him, there really isn’t much on offer from Godolphin this Spring and the betting markets indicate that.
Here’s hoping that the new crop of babies can fire for O’Shea. Prior to taking the gig, we know he was an outstanding trainer, but results need to start coming his way soon, otherwise his legacy and reputation could vanish.
michael steel
Guest
As a punter I have horses, jockeys and trainers I like and the guy at the TAB standing next to me may have the opposite view. His resume looks pretty good but as a punter I've never had much time for backing John O'Shea's runners. From another angle, hearing a number of jockeys being interviewed about which trainer pays out the most on bad rides the answer was John O'Shea.
Drew H
Guest
Too many thoughts go through my head here. It's like that song "Turning Japanese".......I want the doctor to take a picture, So I can look at you from inside as well. Perhaps.......Everyone around me is a total stranger Everyone avoids me like a cyclone ranger. The industry seems to have an axe swinging around all the time, and who it hits - nobody knows.
Albo
Guest
Yep ! I could never see John O'Shea taking regular instructions from other Godolphin management levels ? Could you ? A very strange selection as head trainer for their Australian operations , in my opinion.
Albo
Guest
I have never been a great fan of John O'Shea as a trainer . Always talks a good talk, but rarely walks the walk. But it is a bit rich to expect the same immediate success as 12 months ago, with the change of trainer and all parties new to each other. I think Godolphin now realise just what rare gems they had for years in Peter & Paul Snowden, guys who always walked the walk with very little talk ! They will be almost impossible to replace for Godolphin. Whether John O'Shea can improve things before the axe falls, we will wait and see. As for the loss of McEvoy as stable jockey, that is no great loss for Godolphin. Highly overrated as a jockey of blue blood talent with so many slaughtered runners over the years. The Snowden era should have been even more successful if they had a choice of jockeys.
Adam Page
Roar Guru
I don't think his leadership is an issue either. I just think the role might not be suited to the way he likes to train. He is very direct and runs his own race, and at Godolphin, that isn't the case. Perhaps it's a bit early to question his appointment, but the numbers don't read well at the moment, despite all the factors mentioned above.
Andrew C (waikato)
Guest
Hell Alfred, that's a long time for his gun 2yos to start coming to the fore !!! - AUTUMN? ............. the probable difference (vive la difference !!!) is Snowden's 'hands on' expertise, whereas O'Shea is still looking for WHERE'S WALLY? :)
Alfred Chan
Expert
I don't think his leadership is an issue. To take over the amount of horses he did is a very long process and he is still learning about all the horses in the stable. Keep in mind, for a horse to go from Peter Snowden's training regime to O'Shea's is a big change and one that will probably take a preparation or two. It is like the European horses arriving in Australia. Most can't just hit the ground running because their activities are completely different and spaced differently. It's still a bit early to judge O'Shea. He will get blank canvases with their current 2YO crop so I would expect him to make his first real impact in Autumn.
Andrew C (waikato)
Guest
Bondy, if you want bullsh#t/prevaricating to >>" is that why Snowden bowed out ?" >>> then ask Plumptre. Another Pom out of his depth?? Possibly !!!
Andrew C (waikato)
Guest
Bondy, if you want bullsh#t/prevaricating to >>" is that why Snowden bowed out ?" >>> then ask Plumptre. Another Pom out of his depth?? Possibly !!!
Andrew C (waikato)
Guest
Bondy, if you want bullsh#t/prevaricating to >>" is that why Snowden bowed out ?" >>> then ask Plumptre. Another Pom out of his depth?? Possibly !!!
Andrew C (waikato)
Guest
How long before O'Shea jumps ship? 2 years? Maybe Nathan Tinkler will take over :rolleyes:
kv joef
Roar Guru
Godolphin's press-release made for interesting reading - http://www.godolphin.com/news/latest-news/article/8809/mcevoy-goes-freelance No much of 'why not hang around until the end of spring :-). It more-or-less says 'ok - no prob. good luck and close the door on the way out' .
Bondy
Guest
I haven't been a big fan of O'Shea as a trainer but the impact that Waller has had on Sydney racing has dampened the Darley operations immensely, is that why Snowden bowed out ?. Its very hard to find the right type of trainer for such a massive operation as Darley can anyone else name such genuine candidates ?. Kumaon to me eye is a decent horse and could take some of the Classics this spring , I wish O'Shea well but I would have possibly installed someone from within the Warwick Farm setup with Snowden's blessing ....
Andrew C (waikato)
Guest
Adam, I agree with a lot of what you say re dearth of winners and reasons therein but the 'McEvoy tenure' as numero uno stable jockey was a cross Peter Snowden had to bear for years. imo (and others too), McEvoy 'lost' far more Group races that he should have won - lots of criticism on 'placement in the running' . Obviously O'Shea has been given more carte blanche by Plumptre and by putting pressure on McEvoy by utilising other top jocks on Godolphin runners, the jock HAS walked !!!! O'Shea may have initial problems getting Godolphin on the scoresheet, but at least 'jockey' won't be one of them :) . Oh, and whilst I'm at it, Snowdens hands were tied re ANY Darley Aust stable crack @ the holy grail MELBOURNE CUP because he just was NOT allowed because apparently the Dubai Boss forbade it (Godolphin obviously saw this as THEIR own strict crusade and not in the realm of Snowden )
Adam Page
Roar Guru
I'd agree that Sydney racing is as competitive as ever...but the class of horse is way, way down compared to recent years. But the training genius of the people you just mentioned I way up. Time will tell...one of us will be having scrambled eggs, the other lobsters ;)
kv joef
Roar Guru
:-) oops! i was out of line. All i'll say adam is, that the winning post is very thin, only something the size of a gnat could hide behind and ultimately leaves little room for excuses. so one of us will crow, the other cuckold. but before you begin to crow remember that Sydney racing has never been stronger - NEVER. The master trainers that exist in sydney at the moment is scary. But just to nutshell the competition Godolphin has to contend with includes Chris Waller's juggernaut, Gai's new operation, Team Hawkes, Team Snowden, Joe Pride, the new kids on the block like the Dave's = Van Dyke and Pfieffer, and jas coyle and it goes on and on. That's even before we head into the hinterland, up or down the coast. Winning races in sydney is going to be tough and only a poor statistician would compare past results with current.
Adam Page
Roar Guru
The class of horse O'Shea lost cannot be compared to what Snowden lost. Many, many lengths difference between them. I am prepared to forgive Earthquake atm because she has been ridden upside down. She's not a leader. But she needs to show something when she comes back to Caulfield. He did say that it'd take time to find his feet...I am hoping for his sake it's short term pain for long term gain. But if this run of form continues, he will struggle to maintain his spot. Saw the trials yesterday at Randwick on replay, and from what I saw, there doesn't appear to be as stronger as in previous seasons.
kv joef
Roar Guru
Seriously Adam, has Andrew's acceptable finger-wag from the 'weekend-wrap' rattled you or something? you argue against yourself? you talk Sepoy, Helmet and Long John (all taken to UAE/Europe) and a heap of others. Basically OShea had his stable stripped of older quality with last years huge air-lift to the Nth. Hemisphere. You talk of Earthquake, i suppose you mean the now 3yr-old filly who has been beaten twice by horses she had never raced before! She has manage to beat all the ones she beat as a 2yr-old. a few reasonable judges, then (GSlipper) and now were warning against the prevailing class of last season's 2yr-olds. No Doubt, a slow start nationwide i'll grant ... but OShea warned of that and you may have noticed the 2yrs-olds are yet to appear. OShea is a top-class trainer, he has been for decades and walks in no-one's shadow. Godolphin make very few mistakes when it comes to the staff that keep their winning machine rolling. Unlike some, they are not given to knee-jerk reactions.
Adam Page
Roar Guru
Godolphin want success and immediate success with their horses in their early years so they can set them up as future stallions/broodmares. The poor start to the season won't please the boss in Dubai, and now with McEvoy walking away from the stable, questions have got to be asked.
Tim
Guest
I don't think Godolphin are as impatient as an NRL board. Although a lot of his horses seem to have improved once being moved to new trainers.