In December, we spoke to Bekah Duffy, who gave Will Ramsay’s Jockey Start initiative its first winner, on Wild Polly. On Sunday at Friars Haugh, it went one better, with Bekah’s two fellow jockeys – Jesika Rennie on Will’s own Diable De Sivola and Jess Jubb on Not The Chablis for Nick Alexander – gaining debut successes themselves, on the other horses involved in the scheme. So, it’s now three jockeys, three horses and three winners for Jockey Start this season and Jake Exelby marked the occasion by speaking to Will about his brainchild, and to the two victorious riders.
“I was delighted with Sunday”, said Will. “I was so chuffed – both Jesika and Jess rode great races. “What’s been most successful about Jockey Start,” he continued, “Is connecting the aspiring jockeys, all of whom work full-time for professional trainers (Jesika and Jess for Nick Alexander and Bekah for Susan Corbett) with the right horses. Ex-handicappers are perfect, and it gives their owners great pride, both in seeing their horse refreshed and in providing opportunities for riders who are the future of the sport. It’s a huge reward to see someone have their first winner – so much more meaningful than the small amount of prize money.”
Will explained briefly how the scheme works – “The trainers cover many of the costs, like feed, bedding, shoeing and entry fees, while the aspiring jockey looks after the horse in their own time. It doesn’t need a huge amount of funding and relies on word of mouth and the generosity of the owners” – and confirmed that he is ready to expand the scheme beyond the Northern Area. “We have two more young riders keen to get going and I’d love to get another couple of horses loaned – I’m planning a meeting with PPA CEO Paul Miller and Nick, wearing his National Trainers Federation hat, to see where we can take it. The Jockey Start branding can bring kudos, and it’s important in an era when trainers are struggling to find staff.”
As for the jockeys…
How old are you and where are you from?
Jesika Rennie (JR): I’m 21 and live in Cupar, Fife, 20 minutes from St Andrews.
Jess Jubb (JJ): I’m 22 and from Aberdeenshire, near Ellon.
Talk me through your career in racing so far
JR: I’ve always been around horses. My Mum, Morag Linton, rode as an amateur and my uncle, Alan Linton, was a conditional. Mum had a pony ready for me before I was born, I could ride before I could walk, and I did my first competition when I was one – strapped to a pony in a gymkhana!
I left school during Covid and had an office job for 18 months, then saw that Nick was looking for stable staff. I’d ridden in pony races at Balcormo Mains – I unseated on my first ride when my mount spooked at a puddle! – and competed for Scotland in the Mounted Games, including in Australia. I got the bug at Nick’s and decided I wanted to race-ride. He had a horse called Sanosuke, who was a difficult ride, an absolute nightmare – they use to say I had an ‘electric bum’ because he took off with me every day.
I rode Sanosuke in a charity race at Carlisle – we planted at the start but eventually got going without stirrups! I then went to the Northern Racing School at Doncaster and got my Category A licence (to ride against other amateurs under rules) two days before my first ride at Alnwick.
JJ: I’ve always been into eventing. When I left school, I didn’t know what to do, so my farrier suggested I ride out for Jackie Stephen, who was then based near where I lived. When she moved to the Borders, I relocated with her then went to work for Nick, a bigger yard and closer to home. I’ve been very lucky and fallen on my feet, as I look after some good horses and have plenty of opportunities to ride. I said I’d like to try pointing and Not The Chablis was retiring from rules racing.
How did you become involved with Jockey Start?
JR: I was going to share the rides with Jess on Not The Chablis, then Nick told me he’d found another horse. I learnt more about Jockey Start and met Will, who didn’t have a rider for Diable De Sivola.
JJ: I’d done Hunt rides with the Berwickshire at Will’s place and knew I wanted to race-ride. Will has horses in Nick’s yard, and they came up with the idea.
How did your riding career progress before your first race?
JR: Sunday was just my second ride and my first (at Alnwick before Christmas) was very unlucky! I walked the course with Will, whose instructions were to bounce out in front and stay handy. I was on edge, riding against the likes of John Dawson, but he was so helpful. I don’t think anyone expected us to go off as fast as we did, but jumping is Diable De Sivola’s strong point – he was fantastic, sorting himself out with long and short ones – and we were in front after the first.
I kept looking back through my legs and was still ahead, until I heard voices shouting, ‘horse on your inside’. I thought it would keep me straight then realised there was no rider on it! It cut across in front of me and pushed us off the track, which was such a shame. Personally, I thought I’d have won as I couldn’t believe how well he was travelling.
JJ: My first race on Not The Chablis was a disaster! It was also at Friars Haugh, and I fell off at the first. I didn’t know what I was doing. Next time out at Overton was fantastic – he likes a short, sharp track – as we were only beaten a neck, but I think it was a fluke as I still didn’t have a clue! We were then carried out at Overton again and ran really well to be third at Hexham.
This season, I’ve felt more clued-up! We took him to Alnwick, which wouldn’t be his ideal track, and where he needed the run, so we weren’t disappointed with sixth.
Talk me through Sunday
JR: I beat the one and only Gina Andrews! She went off really fast and it suited Diable De Sivola to settle in behind. Three out, I still had so much horse under me, I asked him for a long one and we took off third and landed second. Turning into the home straight, I could see Gina was slowing, and my horse changed gear. We flew the last and I didn’t even need to ride a finish. Gina said, ‘well done’ afterwards.
JJ: It was still in the back of my mind that I’d fallen off at Friars Haugh, but I was looking forward to it. We were hot favourites, I’d already watched Jesika win, and loads of people had come to support us both, but I tried not to think about the pressure too much! Jamie Alexander walked the course with me and told me to keep him handy and sit third or fourth to leave something in the tank. Laura Fenwick had gone on, so I tracked her, took off two out and went on to win from there.
How did you feel after the race?
JR: I had mixed emotions. Three weeks ago, I lost my father – Michael – unexpectedly. So, the victory was bittersweet. He was my biggest fan and was going to come and watch me ride – it was as if Diable De Sivola knew he had to win for Dad. There were lots of tears, but at the same time, it was the best feeling in the world.
JJ: Delighted! Jade, who is one of my best friends, led us up and it was a great day.
What are your plans for the rest of the season and your ambitions in racing?
JR: I’d love to ride under rules – Nick’s trying to find races for me – and to ride Diable De Sivola in a Hunter Chase, as Will’s still got the bug. I’d also love to ride at Cheltenham and maybe think about turning conditional in a couple of years.
JJ: We plan to go back to Friars Haugh, then Overton. As for the future, I’m not sure. I’m really enjoying pointing, so we’ll see where it takes me.
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