Fanning aiming to stay out in front

Free from a succession of injuries that have curtailed his career in recent times, Fanning is blazing a trail in the Flat standings – and a leading contender to become the recipient of the Cock o’ the North cap which the Yorkshire Post and Racing For Change will present to the region’s most successful jockey at the end of the season.

He is already on the 45-winner mark for the season – thanks, in part, to an eye-catching victory aboard Johnston’s Fennell Bay in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot when circumstances forced the jockey to use waiting tactics, and then snatch victory in the closing strides.

While it is probably too much to expect the 41-year-old to win a third successive Flat title for Yorkshire after Paul Hanagan’s heroics of 2010 and 2011, Fanning’s consistency means he is one of the most sought-after riders in the country. “I’m delighted for Joe Fanning, nobody deserves it more,” said Middleham-based Johnston in the immediate aftermath of Fennell Bay’s triumph.

“If he’s not the best jockey in Britain, he’s certainly the most under-rated. It was a fantastic ride from a prize draw.”

High praise indeed, not that compliments appear to faze Fanning, who prefers to allow his riding to do the talking.

“It’s nice to get the recognition, but I was just happier to get the win rather than praise,” reflected the jockey.

Born in Dublin and raised in County Wicklow, Fanning became infatuated by horse racing when his father took him to evening meetings at the nearby Leopardstown track.

His slender frame meant it was a natural move to join the Irish Racing Academy and Centre of Education where his year group included Johnny Murtagh, the Derby-winning jockey and one of the all-time greats.

It was only after graduating with honours that Fanning decided to make the journey to Britain and eventually Middleham where he teamed up with Tony Fairhurst.

It was tough work – the rides were few and the winners even more elusive – but this up-and-coming jockey was in the perfect place to catch the eye of Johnston who, after acquiring Kingsley House, was beginning to establish himself as one of Britain’s most successful trainers.

“I rode a couple of winners for Mark, it must have been around 1990 or 1991, and I was still an apprentice and aged about 18,” said Fanning, who was last winter’s all-weather champion after defeating Luke Morris by 89 wins to 86 before the Turf campaign started at Doncaster in March.

“I started riding out and have been with him ever since. He’s very driven, he has lots of horses and some very big owners.

“I think the reason we’ve been successful is that he doesn’t try to tie you down to too many orders. He’s very straightforward to ride for. He keeps it simple, not too many complications, it’s probably the single most reason why I’ve already had 100 winners in the calendar year.”

That said, there are frustrations with the job – Johnston’s association with Sheikh Mohammed and other top owners from the Middle East means that Fanning is often overlooked when it comes to big races. The most recent example was Silvestre de Sousa taking the ride on Ascot Gold Cup fourth Gulf of Naples.

“I just accept it,” said Fanning who, to the surprise of many, has yet to land a domestic Group One success in a career which has been defined by its consistency and a catalogue of injuries that have curtailed the Irishman’s career at critical junctures.

Five years ago, Fanning injured vertebrae in his back when he suffered a crashing fall from Drumfire at Glorious Goodwood. He was sidelined for six months. “It’s still a bit of a blur,” he said.

Two years later, he came off worst when seven out of 12 runners slipped on the home turn at Ayr, fracturing his collarbone. That was nothing compared to Johnston’s anger at the Scottish course for watering the track before heavy rain fell, making conditions treacherous.

Last season, Fanning injured a heel at Wolverhampton – a misfortune that enabled Brazillian-born de Sousa, then based in Thirsk, to come to prominence and challenge Hanagan for the jockeys’ title.

Fanning accepts his fate, even though the three injuries have cost him nine months. “It’s part of the job,” said the rider, who is now approaching his 1,500th career winner.

This season has also seen the emergence, at Johnston’s stable, of Italian rider Mirco Demuro, though his reputation took a hit when picking up a lengthy suspension for misjudging the winning post at Wolverhampton by a circuit.

Again Fannning is unperturbed. He has ridden a century of winners in the past four seasons and is on the brink of eclipsing the 120 victories that he recorded in 2010, his best year. In short, he is the dependable jockey to whom Johnston turns when he needs a trusted rider to travel the length of the country for an unglamorous race.

That is reciprocated by the trainer’s endorsement of his stable stalwart, whom he compares favourably to Steve Cauthen, the American-born Triple Crown-winning jockey who lit up British racing in the 1980s.

“I am convinced that front running is an acquired skill and few, if any, have mastered it better than Joe Fanning,” said Johnston with characteristic insight and bullishness.

“Steve Cauthen probably gets the credit for being the greatest front-running jockey of modern times but, when Jason Weaver was riding for me I don’t think there was anyone around who could match him and now I think I have to say the same for Joe.

“The art of front-running is not just about judging pace, although that clearly has a lot to do with it; it requires an ability to anticipate the moves behind and prevent others from coming with more speed and momentum.

“It is surely easier to look good when coming from the back as the required pace is, simply, a fraction faster than those in front.

“It is very, very, difficult for a horse to accelerate in a race and so the front-running jockey must try to put himself in a position where his mount does not require to do so. It clearly isn’t easy, as so many are bad at it, but Joe Fanning isn’t one of them.”

As for Fanning, his philosophy is simple. “I’ll just carry on – and hope to stay free from injury. That’s all you can hope for in this game.”