Today we’re with a former P2P jockey who is making his mark in the bloodstock world. Ed Bailey is passionate about finding future stars, is on the board for Maisemore P2P & is a real pointing enthusiast!
🏇🏼How are you involved in pointing?
I used to ride very averagely a few years ago for a few seasons & had a few winners but I always knew that was never really a career for me. Since then I’ve been busy buying horses for owners & trainers & have been lucky enough to have bought some nice horses that have given us some great days out pointing & under rules over the last 3 years.
🏇🏼What is your favourite aspect of pointing?
Personally, I'm a huge fan of watching the young horses in the maidens. I'm passionate about pedigrees & looking at young horses progress. I get more excited going to watch the maiden than any other race. English pointing has been fortunate enough to see some fantastic graduates over the recent years dominated originally by Tom & Sophie Lacey; now there are some really strong yards getting involved. I'll never forget watching Energumene win at Larkhill on 7th January in 2018. He was a 13th of June foal so that takes a lot of doing to win at 3 & a half years old around there in an 18 runner maiden!
🏇🏼How did you get into pointing?
I was at school with Stan Sheppard & was roped in from an early age to help ride out at Matt & Nicky Sheppard's yard in Eastnor. I owe a huge amount to them as they educated me hugely & have been very supportive from day 1. They are stalwarts of British Pointing & the sport owes a lot to those that dedicate a lot of time and effort to make the sport happen.
🏇🏼What is your day job?
Busy is the best way to describe it. I’m a Bloodstock agent by trade & have plenty on my plate whilst juggling that & farming as well. They're two things I'm very passionate about so it hardly feels like work.
🏇🏼How would you describe pointing to someone that hasn’t been before?
A great day out with exceptional company, every weekend of the season, all over the UK with proper action that you can get right up close to.
🏇🏼Pointing highlight?
Too many to count, any day where my good mates have winners, I am always delighted for them! We've had some great days with Famous Clermont. He's been brilliantly trained by Chris Barber who does a fantastic job. He's a horse we bought from Ireland & hopefully has a smart future ahead of him.
🏇🏼What’s your favourite aspect of working as a bloodstock agent?
Store sales. The 3 year old sales across England & Ireland are the highlight for me. I love looking at horses & I love trying to see as many stores as I can at the sales, aided by James Standen, Chris Barber & occasionally Joe Hill as he is normally looking in the wrong direction. I love to look back at my notes from stores sales when the 4yos start running & see what my comments were.
🏇🏼If you could change one thing in pointing, what would it be?
Weights in maidens. Having young horses running is fantastic but I can't understand why we have to leave some of the best jockeys in the weighing room in the changing rooms when they are needed most. The new 4yo series is great but the likes of Biddick & Gibbs would be worth their weight in gold if they could ride all young horses weights along with the small crew that currently can do all the weights.
🏇🏼Favourite P2P?
Maisemore. It's my home track, I was lucky enough to ride a few winners there & it's a beautiful course. David Redvers & the Gloucester Races committee led by Saranna Jordan put in a huge effort to make it the brilliant event it is.
🏇🏼What lies ahead for the future of pointing?
I think it's in safe hands. It's important to remember that these meetings only happen through the help of volunteers & perhaps all us younger lot that love the sport should do as much as they can to make the meetings happen.
🏇🏼Any hobbies outside of horses?
Farming, tractors, cricket & shooting
Ed thank you for such an insightful chat, see you at the races later!
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