Theres no better a sight in any sport than the competitor competing in full flow, in full speed, confident in their ability and patient in their tactics, racing like a lot of sports is all about speed and stamina and tactics come into play an awful lot of the time.

When I first saw Paul Carberry in the saddle what struck me was his instantly recognisable saddle posture refined down to a tee after years and years of pony racing and hunting. Almost aerodynamic in shape he seemed to be at one with the animal beneath him , hugging in behind the mane , in the slipstream waiting ready to ask his mount to go and win her race . Whats more and Paul knows this is his instantly recognisable backside cocked high and mighty into the air , higher and mightier than any other backside in racing today !!!!.

Its this style added to his genius like knowledge of horses that sets Paul apart from the rest ,its his attitude and love of the game that to me and to thousands of others makes him one of the finest jockeys we've ever produced, and when you know him personally its his love of life , the smile , the sense of humour that sets him apart from the chasing pack .

I will never forget Harchibalds win with Paul on board at Kempton on the 26th Dec 04 in the Stan James Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) almost 35 lengths down to none other than the great Rooster Booster coming around the final bend, ,not once did he panic , not once did he take to the whip , just a shake if the reins and a confident "Come on then" in his finest Meath accent and Harchibald reeled him in and cruised on by to victory. It was a feat no other jockey in my book could have tried or even attempted to pull off , it was plain and simple the genius of Paul on a horse happy in himself, primed and ready run ,and when you get that combination its odds on that the man from Rathfeigh will be coming back in to the winners enclosure !!!!

"Hector O'Heochagan"

(January 2007)