TONY MCCOY SAYS he finding it hard to come to the terms with the death of Synchronised.
The Jonjo O’Neill-trained nine-year-old was euthanised after last Saturday’s Grand National at Aintree, weeks after winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
After falling at the notorious Becher’s Brook, Synchronised proceeded to jump more obstacles riderless before suffering a broken leg.
“It is no understatement to say that he was one of our favourite horses, and that’s not just because he won a Gold Cup,” McCoy writes today in his Telegraph column.
“It has hit the whole team — from [owner] JP McManus and his family, who bred him, to Jonjo O’Neill and the team at Jackdaw’s [O'Neill's yard] as well as me — very hard.
“The loss of any horse is painful, but it makes it all the more painful because he was such a great horse. Ironically, I had much heavier falls than he seemed to have and the last I saw of Synchronised was the horse getting up and galloping off into the distance, looking absolutely fine.
“What happened then is still unclear to all of us, but losing any horse remains the toughest, saddest part of the job of being a jockey.”
Great news, Stockdale has the X factor. The kind of player you’d go to Ravenhill to watch
He’s been under the radar a bit of late but he has some hot form now again
Would love to see him push for a green berth again.
@Colin Hall: It’s only a matter of time. He’d have been on the wing against England save for the hamstring. If he can get a couple of games under his belt in January then….
@Justin Robinson: no thanks. let’s be honest the one good season he had 5 years ago was the exception and not the norm.
@Niall English: as opposed to yourself who hasn’t had any seasons , good or bad.
He’s probably a bit of a home bird but some welcome good news. Five defeats in his absence. Wins for Ulster against Cardiff, Leinster and Munster had he played.
Good to see him sticking around until 2027. I can see him forcing his way back into the Ireland team.
If he can get anywhere near his 2018 form then he’ll be a serious addition to the Irish team.
It is possible he can do it. I remember hickie dropping down to AIL with St Mary’s before his second coming with Ireland.
@Joe O’Regan: It would be good if he could tap into the great form of his early career. With Irelands wingers you really don’t get the impression that they will score tries. Lowe although big and robust with a huge left boot doesn’t really take on defenders and Hansen although busy popping up in different places again doesn’t score easily enough for an international winger. Give Will Jordan the ball- Try scored, give Cheslin Kolbe the ball Try scored, give Mark Talea the ball- Try Scored and Kurt Lee Arendse – Try scored etc.
@Caballo Blanco: the only problem with your comment is that Lowe is a prolific try scorer for club and country. You don’t watch enough rugby clearly
Good news. Been playing well for Ulster this year. Would love to see him get a run in green again. Lowe just too inconsistent in defence for me. Not sure how he has been first pick for Ireland for so long.
@Donie Bolger: and Stockdale has been an ace defender? For me, that is his Achilles heel. Decent player attack wise, porous defensively. Lowe has been excellent for Ireland over past few years in the round. When fully fit he is still the best we have by a distance.
His defence is fine despite many recycling the old cliche stuff about it being poor. We just want him back at Ulster never mind what happens regarding Ireland.