Barry Geraghty admits he and JP McManus had “ups and downs” but his old boss was a great man to ride for.
Geraghty took over as the businessman’s retained rider shortly after AP McCoy retired from the saddle in 2015.
But in April 2018, McManus told Geraghty he would not have that role the following season, adding that some of the trainers weren’t happy with how he was riding.
The owner said he wanted to “give the other lads a chance” but Geraghty took it as though he had been sacked.
They still went on to achieve much more success, with all five of the Meathman’s wins at this year’s Cheltenham Festival coming in the famous green and gold silks.
Geraghty said: “We had our ups and downs but he was a great man to ride for.
“We’re in contact a lot and he’s a brilliant man to deal with.
“The book of rides I had in Cheltenham was the quality he was putting me on and it was brilliant.”
Geraghty would often have tough calls to make on which McManus horse he would ride in a race but admits the 69-year-old was always brilliant for advice on picking the right one.
He added: "The hardest part in those situations is the fact that they're for different trainers.
"When I was riding for Nicky [Henderson] and Nicky would have two horses in a race, I'd know Nicky is more or less steering me towards which one I should ride or which I shouldn't or he might have no opinion and not be able to split them, but at least you can base it on work - who is doing what.
"The two horses are much closer to compare and you can compare what they're working with and what they're doing.
"It's easier because it's more focused on one yard but when you have two different trainers and they're both telling you the horses are flying, it's not easy and it's simple enough to be on the wrong one in those situations. It's a bit of a toss of a coin really.
"In fairness over the years JP would have given me great steers. I might be in two minds about what to do and he might just say 'I know which one I'd be riding' and you could hang your hat on it. He'd have it to a T. JP's such a knowledgeable fella."
