Staying away from elite makes sense

PATRICK MULLINS’ mounts in Ireland have accumulated roughly €5.7m in prize money since he started riding. It is easy to assume that not being a professional rider has cost him €570,000 in earnings. Easy, but wrong.

Taking the period from May 2014, €1.8m of the €2.8m in prizemoney his rides have accumulated in Ireland was won in bumpers, which are national hunt flat races. Here, these contests are the preserve exclusively of amateur riders. So had he been a professional, none of that would been available to him.

There may have been more elite opportunities had he turned pro but he was never going to usurp Ruby Walsh as stable jockey.

Meanwhile, his stature would mean that he would not be in a position to ride threequarters of a field in the majority of races. The grind of starving and sweating would only lessen his powers.

Throw in the increased falls that are inevitable and you have more injuries. Spells on the sideline lead to ballooning weight. It is notable that throughout his entire career Mullins has had only one layoff of note – a three-week absence caused by a fractured collarbone.

It wasn’t that it was a choice for Mullins to remain an amateur. His size took the decision out of his hands.

When it comes to perceived loss of earnings, people are confused by the term amateur, which comes from an era when they had day jobs and rode for fun. Mullins is immersed in racing and, of course is his father Willie’s assistant trainer.

While the current crop of jockeys do not get fees via their Horse Racing Ireland accounts like the professionals, they will be paid directly by connections. All these arrangements are individual but it does not contravene the rules of racing.

Amateur riders are now categorised officially as Qualified Riders. Perhaps that notion of amateurism needs to be shed. Because the current crop are the best there has been. They will not be on the lash all week in Galway. They are professional amateurs and that covers every aspect of what they do.

There is nothing in the rules preventing amateur riders from being paid. So it is safe to assume that Mullins has not missed out.