Ian’s Back from the brink
Mike Drowne talks to jockey Ian Popham who has lived through highs and lows
didn’t know anyone but I got on with it and I really enjoyed it.”
Popham returned to England and the season began slowly, but he admitted:“It was always going to be hard this season.”
On a murky mid-November day, Popham headed to Cheltenham to ride 12/1 shot Annacotty.The horse proved to be the saviour for his career as he timed his run to perfection on the seven-yearold to win one of the season’s big races by half a length. There was not a single figure in racing that begrudged the success of Annacotty and his injury-blighted jockey that day.
Reflecting on his biggest career win to date, Popham said: “Winning the Paddy Power was massive for me, it set me up for the rest of the season.
“That was probably the best day of my career, it’ll be a day I never forget.
“It was a huge confidence boost, I had only had one or two winners before that, one was only the day before, I had barely got going.”
Reflecting on a season that saw Popham bag two Grade Threes, he added:“I was very lucky this year.(Owner) Mrs Prowting was keen for me to keep the ride on Annacotty and I was very lucky – he has been a saviour for me.
“I am pretty happy with how the way it’s gone. I have had 11 winners and the Paddy Power, that almost counts as five winners.”
“I would have have liked a few more winners but if you had asked me at the start of the season what do you want to achieve, I would have said I want to get back, ride a few winners, try and rekindle the old contacts and get a few new ones, and also to stay in one piece.”
No one would have blamed him had Popham announced his retirement but let’s hope he can keep on the comeback trail for years to come.