Our Racing Blog
Wincanton Racecourse are delighted to bring you a regular blog by local National Hunt Jockeys Joe Tizzard and Daryl Jacob - check back regularly for updates.
Latest Blog Entry : Monday 13th May from Joe Tizzard
Earlier this month, May 4 – 6, I took advantage of the Bank Holiday weekend for my Stag do. A group of 24 local lads with a few racing boys headed to Dublin. We travelled with RyanAir and were treated to a complimentary drink! You never know, next season I might be riding for racehorse & airline owner Mr Michael O’Leary!
I have nothing to report from the quiet stag do – we all made the flight back home which was good news!
In two weeks time, Emma & I get married and I can’t wait. We’ve booked a two weeks off for our honeymoon and phones are banned. I very much intend to change my voicemail and direct all calls to my dad.
NO RUNNERS
This week it very quiet with no runners planned. This morning I’ve been to the doctors for a jab – all honeymoon related – but I can’t disclose details as the location will be a surprise for Emma.
Tomorrow, I will pop along to Wincanton for their Ladies Day which Emma has been responsible for planning. One of our owners is taking hospitality in a Private Box, so it will be a treat to go racing and eat!
This week is predominately farming and yard duties. There’s plenty of cleaning to be done and I’m very much the tractor and digger driver on these matters.
We still have 17 horses in training to play around with this summer. A couple of those are wrapping up the season and one is heading home for the summer today. The summer is very much spent evaluating and replenishing stock.
Dad and I have been studying Doncaster’s Sales catalogue. The sales runs for two days, starting tomorrow, and Dad will head up with a couple of nice orders in hand. We’ve picked out a few that meet our stamp – chasers in the making, big with the scope to jump a fence. Dad will take a look in person, check out the confirmation and hopefully bid away.
Click here to find out more about Joe Tizzard and read his other blogs
Last Blog Entry from Daryl Jacob : Monday 13th May
BUSY RACING
The new season started on Sunday, April 28th and I’ve been racing every day since!
I rode out this morning for Paul Nicholls – he has loads in, about 25 – 30 horses and I’m pleased to report that he’s top of the Trainer’s Table with six winners to date. The horses are in great order. Following a wicked winter, a number of horses have been kept going for better ground and we should have about 15 specialist summer horses to keep us all busy.
I tend to find May & June are extremely busy with a much quieter July, August and September. If you look at the likes of Paul Nicholls, Philip Hobbs, David Pipe, Nicky Henderson – they all have a few summer jumpers but the main stock come back in training mid-July for a winter campaign. I’m certainly not complaining and always keep myself busy with even a couple of days window cleaning added in!
THIS WEEK
Tomorrow I have four rides at Wincanton. My best ride of the day will be Oscargo in the 4:20 Piper Heidsieck Novices Chase. Although there’s only five runners it’s cut up to be a nice competitive race. Ryan Mahon rides Paul Nicholls’ other horse Buck’s Bond because he’s won on the horse before. My real competition is Barlow and Velator but we’re in it to win it!
I ride Colin’s Nightmare in the first for Nick Mitchell – the horse will wear blinkers for the first time, I also think Black Cow in the last, a bumper, is a lovely horse that will develop into a better next year.
I can’t believe that Wincanton’s season draws to a close tomorrow – it’s gone quick. The team have done a marvellous job all winter to stage racing. I very much enjoy racing at my home track which returns mid-October.
OTHER RACING FIXTURES
Wednesday I’ll either be riding at Fontwell or Uttoxeter.
Thursday I’m off to Ludlow and Friday it’s evening racing at Aintree. I love Aintree but travelling there for evening racing on a Friday night is an absolute nightmare. You either leave at 10am and arrive on-course with hours to spare, or you leave later, hit Friday traffic and struggle to get there on time! I think I’ll opt for the former and enjoy a run and sweat on-course.
It will be a late Friday evening though – post racing, I’ll drive home which is about a four hour journey on a good run – and then head to France for the weekend! Celestial Halo’s been entered overseas and I have a good record on him – hopefully we can have a successful journey.
Click here to find out more about Daryl Jacob and read his other blogs