Athletes in general, in today's world, have more sensitive treatment from coaches, as well as the agents, ownerships, and sponsorships.
but Irad, or anyone else does get spoken to behind the scenes. Irad is a 'made man' compared to a lot of fringe or outsider jockeys, but he's not at all so compared to the billionaires running the game. He does get spoken to.
For us fans it's fun to have villains. Something to talk about.