At least I enjoyed the Trip
Our racing man trails home last but it’s been a momentous journey after accepting challenge
Our racing correspondent
MARCUS TOWNEND was set the challenge of doing what he writes about — that of riding a horse race. The culmination of months of training and dieting came to a conclusion last night when he rode Moon Trip in a charity race at Windsor. Here he chronicles his journey as a 52-year-old overweight hack to slimline (well, sort of) thoroughbred of a jockey.
BE A JOCKEY? YOU BET!
June 2015 — Never place a bet after taking too much drink. It’s a golden rule of punters and I broke it. As a Royal Ascot press event draws to a close at the Jockey Club rooms in Newmarket, the track’s managing director, Amy Starkey, challenges me to ride in the historic 2016 Newmarket Town Plate the following July. ‘I will if you do,’ is the gist of our alcohol-fuelled bravado. It seemed a good idea at the time. But had I really thought it through? Of course not.
BACK TO SCHOOL
October 2015 — A summer of sobre contemplation about my bet is jolted by reports from Newmarket that Starkey is pressing on with her training. I am getting left behind and need to take action. I decide to find out if I am comfortable on any horse or will I be terrified in the saddle? I enrol at my local riding school, my instructor, Jenna, teaching me the basics of walking, trotting and cantering. My lessons continue virtually every week up to Christmas.
WEIGHTING GAME
January 2016 — After two weeks’ holiday, I worry my progress is too slow. I enlist the help of Richard Perham at the British Racing School and get an insight into the mountain ahead, observing apprentices taking the BRS fitness test and trying the simulator. Perham says that at 14st 8lb, no trainer will let me near a racehorse. I must lose weight fast.
DOING PORRIDGE
March — Set the target of being 13st by the Cheltenham Festival, I exist on porridge and engage the help of personal trainer Louis. Weight goes well, riding less so. Need to sit on a racehorse — but that still seems a big leap.
ON A HORSE AT LAST
April — Have a crash course, quite literally, at the BRS with coaching from Derby-winning jockey Michael Hills. I sit on a racehorse for the first time in the indoor school. Day one goes well — as do the fitness tests. Day two, not so well. My partner, Darroun, changes legs as I canter in the jockey ‘crouch’ and I lose my balance. I hit the wooden wall and afterwards have a long drive to Yorkshire to think about it. This will be harder than I thought. I need bags more experience, so head to Scotland for valuable riding with trainer Lucinda Russell and her partner, eight-time champion jockey Peter Scudamore. Have my first ride at the Berkshire stable of Geoffrey Deacon on Moon Trip. But it all ends for Starkey when she suffers a fall.
PAINFUL PAUSE
May — A few hairy moments but some great experience gained in a second week with Lucinda. Calm chaser Kai Broon is a horse on which to learn the ropes. I feel I am making progress until my final day when I fall off Simarthur. I have done some damage. After a drive back to York, the pain is so bad I faint while trying to buy painkillers. In A&E until after midnight. Survive two races at York meeting before retreating.
SAVED BY HEROES
June — A massive haematoma and severe bruising are a pain in the backside. I can’t bend my leg but receive fantastic treatment from Injured Jockeys’ Fund physio Daloni Lucas. I am still out of action for a month and my Town Plate plans are scuppered when my first work on the grass goes badly wrong. I need more time and identify the HEROS Charity Race at Windsor in August at an alternative target.
OVER THE MOON
July — It’s 4.55am starts as I head to Compton from my Hertfordshire base as often as possible. Gain experience and confidence on Moon Trip on the Deacon gallops and, eventually, also allowed to ride Picket Line. Get plenty of advice from Deacon and his staff — Charlotte, Lauren and Alex. Am a groom when given the chance to lead Moon Trip around the paddock for his comeback run at Bath. He finishes sixth, ridden by Josephine Gordon.
IN THE FINAL FURLONG
August — Must be getting better. Deacon allows me to ride the more challenging Hellarious. First time is a bit hairy but I survive. Step up my preparation, riding work alongside apprentice jockey Paddy Pilley before the final countdown. Trying on my silks, riding out in my thin-soled racing boots and the paper- thin breeches as race day approaches. Hoping to weigh in about 36lb lighter than when I started this project.
LAST, BUT NOT LEAST
Yesterday — Well, the moment has arrived and it was quite a day. After the TV interviews with Frankie Dettori and the rest and some gentle joshing in the weighing room and from my colleagues, we finally went down to the start.
I was the outsider of the six riders and performed like it! Moon Trip and I started wide out left and whilst we managed some decent pace, the rest gradually edged away from me.
So, I finished sixth of six as Foxtrot Jubilee won but I had done it. I heard the race announcer taunting me a little so it was cheering to hear him say at the finish: ‘Marcus, you are a hero.’ I’m not, but I certainly enjoyed the trip.