Millman said: “When I started secondary school, a lawyer was a potential career aim but as I became more interested in the riding and training of the racehorses, any career outside of racing seemed unlikely. Although I did my A-Levels, I was rarely at school and even turned professional half-way through my final year.”

All had been going well with Millman’s career as a jockey, which peaked in 2011 where he rode a career best 27 winners. But with the recession hitting the Millman camp as a whole, the time seemed right to hang up his boots at the end of last season.

“Up until last season, it looked like I had made the right decision as at the end of 2011, I was stable jockey and had ridden 27 winners that year and the yard had a solid 34. Unfortunately, the effects of the recession hit us hard going into 2012, we had few new horses coming in and despite working very hard on the Rod Millman Racing Club as well as the Tweet Lady initiative, not enough new owners were joining the yard. Winning horses had to be sold and I knew our string was going to drop from around 55 to 30.”

Millman admits he became slightly disillusioned with the sport as hard work and with only relative success, he felt to be getting nowhere.

“A lifetime in the industry didn’t seem such an attractive option. At the age of twenty-five, if I wanted a career in another industry, I really had to retire now and start university the following September. I could easily have ridden until 32 or 33 but I’d have few career options outside of racing once I retired,” he added.

A career as a lawyer for him became more of a reality after he was involved in overturning the stable’s Shahdaroba at a BHA hearing, when the stewards had originally disqualified the horse in a race at Leicester due to interference with the eventual runner-up.

“People at the inquiry suggested that I did a good job and should certainly consider doing that as a future career. With my background as a professional jockey, a career in Sports Law is achievable. “

Millman rode for the last time professionally in December 2012, leaving his tally on 137 career winners. His time in the saddle had several high moments, notably with Roi De Vitesse who gave him plenty of rides in big races across Europe, while Light From Mars is another fond moment to take away.

He said: “As I never planned to be a jockey and even when I turned professional, the aim was to do it for a season and then revert to amateur status before concentrating on training, so I’m pleased I managed to ride 137 winners.

My best moment in the saddle was winning on Light From Mars at York, it was my only winner on Channel Four. Also Roi De Vitesse throughout his two-year-old career. I was extremely lucky that his owner let me keep the ride in pattern company. I rode him in France (including in a Group 1 on Arc day) twice, Ireland as well as a second in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket’s July Meeting.

But despite those achievements, it’s still a case of what could have been for him as a jockey.

“I certainly wouldn’t say I was proud of my riding career, in fact I feel a bit of a failure as my spell as stable jockey coincided with numbers in the yard dropping considerably.

“I think most people thought I was pretty moderate as a jockey and while the economy didn’t help, my presence in the saddle could have put off potential owners.”

Millman’s last ride was also a winner when Ishi ran out with a length and a quarter success at Lingfield in December 2012.

“It was the perfect way to end my career, even more so as Ishi was the third of our homebred’s out of Chorus, who I’d learnt to ride on when I was fifteen and all three had now won.

Weight problems are a regular problem for most flat jockeys and Millman himself was at times blighted by being unable to ride significantly low weights.

“I once did 7st13 but from 20+ 8st9 was my minimum, but anything 9st2 in the sauna.

“Throughout my career I had weight problems. On my first ride as an amateur at sixteen, I weighed 8st10 and always thought I’d be too heavy to be an apprentice.

“I worked extremely hard to keep my weight down throughout my career and unlike most jockeys, my claim was more of a hindrance as it meant I couldn’t do the weight and I actually got more opportunities as a full jockey.”

He still keeps a strong involvement with the yard around his other commitments; the only difference is the name James Millman isn’t seen any more on the right hand side of a racecard.

 

“Apart from not riding them on the track, nothing has really changed this summer. I still ride out most mornings, help out with the entries and drive the box racing most of the time. I also keep the website up to date.  When I move up to Leeds, I will just concentrate on the website and race planning.”

Since December, Millman has as ever kept himself busy and in the winter he spent ten weeks travelling across South East Asia.

Said Millman: “I went to Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia. I was lucky enough to spend some time at one of our owner’s houses in Thailand on Ko Chang and used it as a place to have a break from travelling around.

“I really enjoyed Cambodia and watching the F1 in Sepang was another highlight. Although it was good to get away, that is enough travelling for me, in the near future anyway.”

He added: “I really enjoyed getting away this winter though, especially as the weather was so bad back in the UK. However, it was very important for me to get away as I hadn’t had a holiday in eight years and needed a break. Due to my weight, I could never take time off, even in the winter as I’d just get too heavy to resume race-riding.”

Since his return, he has gone back to one of his true passions, a different type of horse power in motor racing.

“Motorsport is my number one passion. I competed at Karting every other weekend from the age of 10-17 and my dream job would be a Formula One driver.  However, I lacked both the talent and funds to even consider a career and soon switched focus to the horses.

“But, as soon as I had saved enough money to buy a house, I bought my first racing car and have competed at Club level since August 2011. Even at the bottom level it’s a very expensive sport but something I really enjoy.”

Motor Racing had to take a back seat during his riding career but since retirement, the wheels have once again been turning.

Millman added: “Motor racing is generally a weekend sport and often clashed with my race riding which meant I missed most of the meetings last year and when I did race, it was with poor preparation. At least this year I can do all the rounds, although finding the money to do it is now more of a problem.”

Along with motor racing, Millman has covered the Racing as part of the William Hill Radio team.

“I had been asked to do a few stints on William Hill Radio a couple of years ago but as it’s broadcast up in Leeds, I could never find the time to get away from Devon. However, when I was looking at potential degree options, I could study with BPP up in Leeds and the aim is to use William Hill Radio as a part-time job to help fund my studies.”

He added: “I have done four days in the studio since returning from my travels and really enjoy it. I have always studied the formbook closely and have strong knowledge about all aspects of racing so I find it quite easy to talk about a sport that I have been involved with since a young age. Whether people find me interesting and helpful, I’m not so sure but the feedback has been good so far.

In his own words it’s a shame he has to look away from Racing for a career but this is a bright, busy, articulate and still very young man, and with so many doors being opened, these times could not be more exciting.

It’s well known that he has had his problems and John Gallagher has made no secret of the time it has taken him to get over them. He had a disappointing 2012 but his form in 2011 is strong especially his handicap win at Sandown off a mark of 70. If his win last time gives him the confidence he needs then he will take a fair bit of stopping this afternoon.

Go Nani Go is the clear danger having run well on his reappearance at Lingfield last time out. He is sure to have improved from that but will need to if he is to justify being favourite today. Despite having been off the track for a long time I didn’t think that the race last time had much strength in depth at all and he doesn’t look chucked in.

My nap of the day is Red To Amber who I think takes all the beating in the 20.00 at Kempton this evening. He dead-heated with Gabrial’s Wawa last time out, despite being stone last out of the stalls.

Gabrial’s Wawa has since gone on to win a handicap off 73 giving the form a solid look. He was still very green in his race last time and took a while to pick up, running around once he hit the front. He should improve a lot for the experience and despite this being a hotter race, I’d like to think he has a fair bit more improvement in him than the other runners in the field today. Erodium looks the key danger but his 3lb rise for beating Spring Tonic (still a maiden after 7 starts) looks a tad harsh. With 8 runners and a nice each-way price at 6/1, he looks a great each-way bet from his low stall in 1.

My final selection is Rose Garnet who I think will take all the beating today due to a combination of factors!

On my ratings it’s a terrible race and nothing has anything in hand of the handicapper but Richard Hughes is as good as anyone on the circuit and can help her improve. She takes a keen hold in her races but sees a first time hood today. If that has any impact and helps her improve only a few lbs she will be winning today. Sweet Ovation is a danger but has been heavily penalized for beating a poor field last time. She’s also yet to win going right-handed.

Sister Guru is the interesting one but she was incredibly fit last time and despite beating a very good field it’s a massive worry that she hasn’t been seen since. I may be falsely speculating that she has had problems again but I wouldn’t want to be taking short prices on her. She’s run terribly on both her starts at Kempton before and with too many question marks over her, Rose Garnet is the sensible bet.

Today’s Advice:

18.00 Kempton

1pt win Alpha Delta Whisky 4/1 William Hill*

20.00 Kempton

1.5pts each-way Red To Amber 6/1 Boylesports*

20.30 Kempton

2pts win Rose Garnet 11/4 Boylesports, BetVictor*

Results So Far:

Results last updated: 14.00, 29th March 2013

The final profit for the all-weather season was +123.08pts from a stake of just 320pts, with a % on turnover of 38.46%.

There were 136 selections and 53 of those returned a profit, at a strike rate of 38.97%.

* = Best Odds Guaranteed

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Ed Dunlop’s reliable seven-year-old scored in Hong Kong last December on the back of a tour which saw him finish mid-field in the Japan Cup and Emirates Melbourne Cup – 12 months on from his agonising defeat by the shortest of margins in the latter event.

Despite his high air miles, Red Cadeaux took a few days to adapt to local conditions having left the cold of Newmarket, England, behind but is beginning to thrive.

“We decided to bring him out early to allow him to acclimatise with the weather being so different to back home,” said Dunlop’s travelling head lad, Robin Trevor-Jones.

“For the first few days he wouldn’t eat as it was so hot but he is now back on his food and his work rider said he felt as good today as he has since he arrived.

“We did a gentle canter over 1800 metres today and we may work him on the grass on Wednesday or Thursday.
“It is the end of long season for him but he is so versatile. This if a different challenge for him but we know he will be staying on at the end having gone so close over longer trips elsewhere.

“He has not run on the Tapeta before but has form on the all-weather in England and has won on heavy ground at the Curragh and has form on quick ground in Hong Kong so I don’t think the track will be an issue.”

Yet Hennessy, who has a team of only 10 horses in work at Matamata, has known for some time he was ready to be a major player on the international scene.

He is a cousin of famed New Zealand trainer Dave O’Sullivan who has two sons – Paul, a successful  trainer in Hong Kong, and Lance, a former top jockey whose riding career was cut short by injury.

O’Sullivan had already gained a reputation of  being a sound judge of horses good enough to race overseas.
‘’I sold a horse called Makarpura Star to (Hong Kong trainer) John Moore a few  years ago who won the Hong Kong Derby and also became Horse Of The Year,” said Hennessy.

He paid NZ$150,000 for Ocean Park, who is by the  former smart Australian racehorse Thorn Park from the Zabeel  mare Sayyida, on behalf of two Hong Kong clients Andrew Wong and Steven Yan.

The  four-year-old has now won in excess of NZ$2.2 million and Hennessy is enthusiastic about adding  the US$5 million Dubai Duty Free (1800m) sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, to his record.

Ocean Park’s record stands at eight wins, three seconds and a third from 14 starts and Hennessy  is confident he has the  breeding and conformation to be a successful stallion.

‘’He is a lovely, athletic horse and throws to the dam’s side of his pedigree,’’ Hennessy said.

‘’If he’s going to be the horse I think he can be, he needs to win in the Northern Hemisphere and  a five million dollar race in Dubai is a great place to start.’’

‘’It is just unbelievable being in Dubai  and if things go to plan we’re looking at taking him to Royal Ascot later in the year,’’ Hennessy said at Meydan this morning.

The Parbhoos are now back in Dubai with their second consecutive contender in the US$2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News, following Grade 1 winner Giant Ryan, who finished fifth in 2012. Their runner this year, Trinniberg—whose name is partly inspired by the family roots in Trinidad—is the reigning American champion sprinter whose speed inspires their hopes.

“I know he is going to run well,” said Shivananda Parbhoo, the trainer of Trinniberg who followed in the footsteps of his father, family patriarch Bisnath, to become a trainer. “He’s shown us so much from the time he was a two-year-old. He is special.

“And he’s happy—look at him,” Parbhoo added, his voice rippling with pride in Monday’s pre-dawn darkness at Meydan as he watched Trinniberg gallop out following a 600-meter (about three-furlong) drill down the stretch. “He did it so easy.”

Like the Parbhoos, who built a successful trucking business in the US prior to establishing their racing stable, Trinniberg has risen from atypical beginnings. A bargain US$1,500 yearling, the son of Teuflesberg won his first race and has never looked back while competing against many of the best horses in America.

He won half his eight starts last year, including the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), and now will attempt to defeat some of the world’s best speedsters. The major question about Trinniberg is that he has never raced on an all-weather track.

“I think he is liking the track,” Parbhoo said after the workout. “Hopefully, he’ll get a good start. In a sprint race, the start is so important. After that, we’ve just got to leave it up to him.”
And Trinniberg won’t be alone. Parbhoo said 14 family members will be at Meydan on Saturday to cheer on their colt as he tries to win the biggest prize of their tenure in racing.

Marco Botti – OR 117

3yo – Cape Cross (IRE) – Thiella (USA)

Without doubt the horse I am most looking forward to seeing this season. He impressed me massively last season, firstly when winning a good looking Ascot maiden on debut. Despite being only fifth in a Group 1 after that in France, experience got the better of him and he showed a great attitude next time when winning the Mill Reef at Newbury when not getting a clear run but bounding away from a decent yardstick in Master Of War. The ground was a little too soft than ideal on his final start in the Middle Park where he came ever so close to beating Reckless Abandon, with Gale Force Ten back in third. That is very good form seeing as the winner did go unbeaten all season. He should relish the step up to a mile being by Cape Cross out of a mare that has plenty of stamina in her pedigree and I think he is an ideal Guineas type. Reports are he’s not the biggest but he’s only going to be a miler and nothing more and the standard he is already is enough to play a big hand in the opening classic of the season. I think he will improve though, especially for the trip and the 25/1 available for the Guineas is absolutely huge, considering too that he is likely to go for the Greenham and that would see him shorten a lot if he won.

Dorfman 

Mark Johnston – OR - 

3yo – Halling (USA) – Cercle D’Amour (USA)

I absolutely love a Mark Johnston horse to follow as regular subscribers of the blog will know and he, along with another below, get the vote this season. Two years back Fox Hunt as on here and though last year was less successful with Switzerland, I’m sure we can get back to winning ways this time. Dorfman has only been seen once but that was a debut victory at Southwell. The maiden he won looked okay on paper and though the runner-up has lost since, he’s still a decent yardstick. He didn’t win by a street but the amount he had in hand was marked as he was very green and hated being out in front. His handicap mark is unbelievably good and I fully expect him to climb right up to the top of the handicapping tree this season, just like so many from this yard do.

Educate

Ismail Mohammed – OR 88

4yo – Echo Of Light – Pasithea (IRE)

No way was I going to leave this list without him. I have been a big fan since I saw him on heavy ground at Newmarket around July and he hung all around the shop. He was poor again after that but gelding him has ironically made a man of him and he turned the corner big time with wins over a mile at Sandown and then impressively over 10f at York. The former would have been over a trip too short than ideal and the latter on ground less than ideal but he still won both with a good bit in hand, particularly at York when he got a great ride by Jamie Spencer. There is plenty more to come for me off 88 and I am very excited about him, especially when getting his conditions

Shantaram

John Gosden – OR 104

4yo – Galileo (IRE) – All’s Forgotten (USA)

A horse that was on this exact list last year and though he didn’t cover himself totally in glory, I’m totally convinced he is one that will be better this season. He started the year when just beaten by a very smart Model Pupil and then when again behind Main Sequence in a Derby Trial, both time travelling beautifully but not seeing it out. Saying that he did win the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy on ground he would have hated on his first try at a longer trip, and he showed his dislike for soft when only 1/8 at the same course and only just scraping home in breaking his maiden. He has to be given another chance on better as I’m convinced he’s better than the 104 rating he’s got. Also he is a scopey type who simply screams out at being better with that year on his back and I think he can turn out to be a top pattern performer.

Tribal Path

Mark Johnston – OR – 75

3yo – Giant’s Causeway (USA) – Navajo Moon (IRE)

He’s my other Johnston type and I stuck him on my horse to follow list after a nice debut run at Leicester at the back end of last season. After hearing good reports from home, he was always going to go close to getting on this list and he fully cemented his place when a highly impressive winner at Lingfield a month ago, a race that did look pretty decent for that sort of race at the time. He had a load in hand and won as he liked and I think he could be very good come the end of the season. Again he’s a progressive middle distance type that will thrive with racing with this yard just do so well with.

Slade Power

Edward Lynam – OR 109

4yo – Dutch Art – Girl Power (Ire)

I really like Edward Lynam as a trainer, especially of sprinters and the job he has done with Sole Power has been superb, thus I expect likewise with Slade Power. He really caught my eye when beating Es Que Love at Haydock in June, grinding him down late on. He backed that up when winning again at Fairyhouse, albeit in workmanlike style but that showed he has a lot of grit about him as well as class, though it was always going to be a big ask coming off a big break to win on Champion’s Day, especially in softer ground. He still ran a huge race, travelling well and looking likely to come with a very strong challenger before fading into a close 8^th. I’ll be really disappointed if he doesn’t turn into a crack sprinter this season, especially on better ground and I’m very excited about his chances.

Montiridge

Richard Hannon – OR 104

3yo – Ramonti (FR) – Elegent Ridge (IRE)

It could be a big year for Richard Hannon who for me has his best crop of three-year-olds ever. Olympic Glory was one of the best all season and looks likely to be winning races this year too. Toronado and Van Der Neer are two others who will be challenging for top honours along with Wentworth and Havana Gold, but the vote goes to Montiridge. He instantly caught my eye on debut when winning in torrid conditions but beating a strong yardstick in One Word more, rated 99. He then had a couple of problems but came back to scrape home against a stablemate at Sandown when clearly not fully fit but that one has franked the form since and is himself rated 97. After that he finished a close second in the Autumn Stakes to Trading Leather when simply outstayed due to him being far too keen early on and having the lack of a rail like the winner did. There is plenty more to come from him now with a year on his back and Ramonti is a sire I’m keeping a very close eye on as I think his progeny could very much be underrated.

Illustrate

Aidan O’Brien – OR -

3yo – Oasis Dream – Kassiopeia (IRE)

Well bred colt who has only been seen once but that was in poor ground and though he was second choice on bookings to a stablemate who won that race. He could only finish sixth but was green and also didn’t enjoy the ground while he screams out as one that will be a totally different proposition this season. He’s by Oasis Dream with a dam that is bred for stamina but all his relations are milers and sprinters, notably the decent Arabian Star who improved a lot for Racing and I think he will do similar.

Daylight

Andrew Balding – OR -

3yo – Firebreak – Dayville (USA)

Not been seen since making a strong debut at Goodwood in a decent looking maiden but he’s bred to be speedy. That first run, where he was 5^th, was over 6f but he looks to have enough to challenge at the minimum as well. His pedigree is full of winners, all who got to a pretty good level and I expect him to very much do similar. It was disappointing to not see him after that run in July but I’m sure he will be out early this year and there are plenty of opportunities for 3yo handicapping sprinters like he can turn out to be.

Liber Nauticus

Sir Michael Stoute – OR – 86

Sir Michael Stoute hasn’t had the best couple of years but this filly could be the one to take him right up to the top again. She made a nice debut at Goodwood when off the bridle early due to inexperience but she very much got the hang of things late on to win very cosily in the end. On breeding she is the part, she also looks stunning and the Oaks is the clear aim for her. I wouldn’t want to dismiss her lightly at all this year as I think she has the ability to be out of the top drawer.

The star-studded line-up includes dual Breeders’ Cup winner Royal Delta, 2011 Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom and Pacific Classic victor, Dullahan from America, Hong Kong Vase winner, Red Cadeaux, from England and a strong UAE team headed by recent Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 winner Hunter’s Light.

African Story, the 2012 Godolphin Mile and 2013 Super Saturday Burj Nahar winner will also be having a tilt at the 18th running of the Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline.

The fields for the other nine races on the US$27,25m card have also come into focus. There are 41 individual Group 1 winners included among the likely fields.

Gentildonna, the champion three-year-old filly and Japanese Horse of the Year in 2012 will take on Dunaden, winner of the 2011 Melbourne Cup and Hong Kong Vase and 2012 Caulfield Cup winner in the Dubai Sheema Classic presented by Longines. Group 1 stars, St Nicholas Abbey, Shareta, Trailblazer and Girolamo are also among the field.

In the Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, the US Breeders’ Cup Turf star, Little Mike, will switch back to the grass after a Tapeta trial on Super Saturday. New Zealand’s champion, the 2012 W.S. Cox Plate winner, Ocean Park will also start as well as Group 1 winners, Giofra, Igugu, Sajjhaa and Wigmore Hall. Dubai World Cup Carnival star, Trade Storm, who won the Group 2 Zabeel Mile will also run, alongside Beverly D Stakes winner and stablemate, I’m A Dreamer.

The Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News has attracted defending champion, Krypton Factor as well as Australian sprint star, Mental, winner of his Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint prep race at Meydan on February 14. Representing the third leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, the Dubai Golden Shaheen will also be contested by Gordon Lord Byron, Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Trinniberg and Emcee as well as Dubai World Cup Carnival victor, Kavanagh.

“There wouldn’t be many race meetings this year that contain 41 individual Group 1 winners on the same programme which merely emphasises the quality of horse that the Dubai World Cup meeting attracts from around the world,” said Martin Talty, International Manager, Dubai Racing Club. “There are 13 countries represented with runners including champions from the USA, Japan and New Zealand.”

“It is also pleasing to see that a number of horses that have performed well throughout the Dubai World Cup Carnival. Trade Storm, Kavanagh and Reynaldothewizard have all progressed from a strong season to a run on Dubai World Cup day.”

The Dubai Kahayla Classic, the Group 1 race for Purebred Arabians run over the same 2000m distance as the Dubai World Cup has attracted a stellar line-up of 12 Group 1 winners, including defending champion, TM Fred Texas, Areem, Nieshan, Sahib du Clos and international raider, Al Mamun Monlau.

The likely fields for all the nine races on Dubai World Cup day can be found here:

http://www.dubairacingclub.com/sites/default/files/2013_dwc_lf.pdf

DATE

Pts Advised

Selection

Odds Advised

Finishing Position

Profit/Loss

TOTAL

24

+2.79

Farraaj is the most likely winner but he is favourite and is bang on his price. I’m not keen on Red Cadeaux or Viking Storm due to the shorter distance than they are used to. I tipped up Miblish last time but he was flattered to get that close and seems to run his best races fresh. Premio Loco won the the race last year and he has to go there with a big chance, but… He is now 9 years old and he was arguably lucky to have beaten Cai Shen last year.

It’s fairly obvious that my selection is therefore Cai Shen. He was very unlucky last year, having been drawn in the car park and wide throughout. He hasn’t stopped improving though and posted 3 much higher performances since then. He goes exceptionally well fresh and I would be very surprised if he didn’t completely outrun his price tag of 9/1 come Saturday.

He is in danger of getting a poor draw again this weekend but at the current stage, 9/1 is far too big. He looks the 2nd most likely winner to me and should be 9/2, not 9/1.

Ante-Post Advice:

1pt each-way Cai Shen 9/1 BetVictor

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