Arran’s Nicola is riding high at Ascot
Arran’s Nicola Currie, the champion jockey apprentice who is a household name in the horseracing world, has finished off her season on a high after competing at the prestigious Balmoral Handicap, the richest mile handicap in Europe, at the final flat meeting of the year at Ascot at the weekend.
Despite finishing sixth on strong contender Raising Sand, Nicola can add the race to her long list of competitive events and positions which all contribute to her moving towards becoming professional and reducing her stake claim.
An apprentice receives a 7lb claim which is gradually reduced as the num- ber of winners increase, to lose the claim and become professional 100 winners must be achieved. Nicola reduced her claim to 5lb in January this year and this was further reduced to 3lbs when competing at Ascot. At this rate losing her apprentice 3lbs weight allowance is now just a matter of time.
Nicola, who is 24 years old, has been competing in the horse racing circuit for four years and has a string of wins under her belt. Add to this being part of the world renowned former jump jockey champion Richard Hughes’ yard and representing Team GB in the European Apprentice Series, and it is clear to see that Nicola is continuing her meteoric rise in the demanding and competitive world of horse racing.
Mum Susie Murchie and stepdad James, who both live in Shiskine, do not get to see her as often as they would like owing to her demanding career, however, they are able to keep up-to-date by watching her perform on televised events.