Exclusive interview with yesterday’s first winner
T 1.36pm and 25 seconds yesterday, and with the roar of thousands booming across the Gloucestershire countryside, Noel Fehily became the first hero of the 2018 Cheltenham Festival.
Never mind the dark days and the thoughts of retirement, that injuries have brought. Once more it was only about delight as he crossed the line in triumph in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
“That’s a great way to start the week,” he said. “To win the first race at the meeting, it just helps you settle for the rest of the week.”
With a superb ride on board 9-1 shot Summerville Boy, Fehily, 42, was back in the winner’s enclosure, right arm raised in delight. No one forgets the jockey that got it all going.
Yet the story could have been so different.
When injury prevented Fehily from riding at the Festival in both 2010 and 2011, these magical moments seemed a distant dream. Understandably, thoughts of leaving the game were not far from his mind.
“I suppose I had thought about packing it in back then,” says Fehily. “Probably, the timing of my injuries wasn’t great. One after another.
“I was riding some better horses, what every jockey wants. You get injured and you have to start all over again.
“You feel sorry for yourself when you get injured again. Every jump jockey gets injured, it’s part and parcel of the lifestyle. You have to roll with it. Once you get moving, riding out and in the gym, all you want to do is get back race-riding.” His success yesterday only adds to his remarkable story which 12 months ago saw the jockey so often labelled the nearly man celebrate victories with Buveur D’Air in the Champion Hurdle and Special Tiara in the Queen Mother Champion Chase before almost making history.
The popular farmer’s son from Cork was so close to becoming the first jockey to win the three headline acts at the meeting in the same year when Minella Rocco finished all too late in the Gold Cup.
Today, in the showpiece race, Fehily and Special Tiara return for the defence of their Champion Chase crown.
So, Noel, just what have you injured? The answer to what he has broken in his body is preceded with a chuckle.
“Eye socket,” he says. “Cheekbone, three collar-bones, four shoulders, three wrists, a leg and numerous toes.”
He might not have the cards dealt in his favour to repeat last year’s achievements but never underestimate the rider who is regarded by his colleagues as the ultimate professional.
“It was the best week of my life,” says Fehily of last year. “And yes, I was walking on air. We were a bit unlucky in the Gold Cup.”
As Sizing John won at 7-1, Fehily and Minella Rocco were second at 18-1, two-and-threequarter lengths behind.
Fehily’s hopes of putting the record straight in Friday’s Gold Cup were dealt a blow. He was expected to partner the progressive Our Duke for Jessica Harrington but lost the ride to Robbie Power, the stable jockey, after last year’s winner was ruled out of the race.
“I was over in Ireland last week and schooled Our Duke,” he says. “He felt great – his form is very good, and he’s got a massive chance. I suppose it’s a bit like last year when I replaced Barry [Geraghty] Buveur D’Air in the Champion Hurdle when he was injured.” Fehily will now partner American in the Gold Cup on Friday and he is expecting Monalee, his mount in today’s RSA Chase, to run a big race along with Unowhatimeanharry in the Stayers’ Hurdle tomorrow.
“Last year was great, amazing, and it will be very hard to repeat that,” he says. “It was just amazing how it all panned out.”
His wife Natasha says that if the mild-mannered father of two was “any more relaxed he’d be asleep”.
So despite his responsibilities he takes the meeting in his stride – walking the track before racing. And like last year, Fehily has his two children on hand to lend support.
“My daughter Niamh is five now and she enjoys watching,” he said. “My son Michael is only three and is not quite sure, but he likes to cheer us on.
“Cheltenham Festival means everything, it makes the difference from a bad season to a good season – if you can get a winner there.”
At 1.36pm and 25 seconds yesterday, it became a good
season.