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Tanya Stevenson

Tanya's Blog - 21st September 2011

Michael Jarvis
14 August 1938 – 20 September 2011

I find myself floundering at present, it’s hard to make sense of the last couple of days, it was on a train to London, on my way to Edward Whitaker’s book launch that I learned another of racing’s institutions had been cruelly snatched from us. This time the flat, Newmarket especially, bears the monumental loss.

I didn’t know the man, but Michael Jarvis the trainer was one of my heroes, and I’m not alone. As an outsider looking in, he was a true gentleman, unflappable, he absorbed pressure, in fact thrived on it. His all-knowing silence was deafening, just a glance and/or an acknowledging nod would suffice, expressing more than the wastage of a thousand words. It appeared there was no more loyal establishment than Kremlin House Stables. A small but select establishment, he was punters go to trainer, Hills someone they could rely on. In 2010, 14 of the 35 courses he sent runners to he showed a 30% strike rate or more. In the same year, 20 of the 35 courses he sent runners to, he showed a level stake profit.

Michael Jarvis
© www.highclereracing.co.uk
Michael Jarvis
Michael Jarvis forged a steely partnership with his trusted jockey Philip Robinson, together they claimed many a prize and a healthy collection of Group 1s, Richard Hills and Neil Callan were also beneficiaries of the Jarvis nurturing. He wasn’t just their mentor, but racing’s mentor as well.

Michael announced his retirement from training earlier this year, allowing young Roger Varian to step into the fray. His model pupil is not just a chip off the old block but already proving he could be a reincarnation! Roger has the same endearing softly spoken nature. Balancing discretion when and where needed and still managing to be exceedingly helpful. Plus the all important ability to train winners and plenty of them. Testament to the fact Michael couldn’t half train horses but humans as well!

Much will be written about Michael Jarvis, all positive, the amount of superlatives just won’t be enough. For me growing up Carroll House in the Arc was a triumph I was working for SIS then and it left a lasting impression. But it was his handling of the petulant, enigmatic, difficult, explosive but brilliant Rakti which endeared him to the households across the land, we lived each step, each breath-taking stride with him. Six Group One victories showed we had been on one hell of a ride.

Michael Jarvis was a private man, yet he managed to extend the warmest of welcomes. Everything he did was in the most professional manner. He was never outwardly critical, instead chose to adapt/mould a negative to a constructive alternative. After spending time with him however brief you always felt you learnt something. His horses were never to be underestimated and in hindsight they were always overpriced. No corner of the globe went undiscovered if the horse was right.

Racing has been dealt the cruellest of blows, first Ginger McCain and now Michael Jarvis. The sport will band together, mourn, but somehow come through stronger as these two men taught us how to laugh, enjoy, appreciate and stand together in the toughest of circumstances. Pupils of the ‘Old Racing School’, while Ginger may have been the class joker, Michael was the head prefect. The memories they have given to us are forever cherished.

Such is the prowess of these great men I will look to the night sky knowing their constellations shine brightly. Ginger McCain and Michael Jarvis, thank you.

Actual racing carries on with five meetings across Britain and Ireland, each with attendees trying to quantify the occurrences over the last two days. Goodwood is the marquee meeting and Silvestre de Sousa, fresh from a treble at Beverley tries to collect more wins. His ride aboard NAVE is of interest for me he has the same profile of The Bells O’Peover and could well rustle up a surprise. Looking at his price there are many who feel the same. GOOD MORNING STAR could be the answer in Goodwood’s 2.35.

Debussy was an impressive winner at Chester last time and I feel his stable companion Prince Siegfried will give him most to do in the conditions. The latter won a good race in soft at Windsor and I’m mixing it with a forecast on the pair.

 

POINTERS

Silvestre De Sousa has had six winners, a second and a third from his last 12 rides

Mark Johnston has had four winners from his last ten runners, he has won Goodwood’s 2.35 twice from just three runners

Frankie Dettori has had five winners from his last 11 rides. Frankie has also ridden the winner of Goodwood’s 3.45 four times from nine rides.

Tom Queally is another jockey who has done well in Goodwood’s 3.45 with three wins from four rides

Saeed Bin Suroor has won Goodwood’s 3.45 five times from his last 12 runners

The favourite has won Goodwood’s 3.45 six times in the last 11 years

Signposts in the Racing Post brings our attention to the form of John Joseph Hanlon, in Ireland he has had four winners from his last seven runners and today he sends horses to Perth.

 

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