Prince praised as she crowns horse’s last race with first win
Kiddeminster-born Jessica Prince, 22, came in for plenty of praise when she chalked up her first win in the members’ race at the recent Tivyside Hunt Steeplechases at Lydstep, near Tenby on her French-bred grey gelding Qalinas.
She said: “I didn’t have to pick up the whip once. He just kept travelling and jumping well.”
However, it was a bittersweet moment for Jessica, as Qalinas sustained an injury during the race and will not race again. At the finish, Qalinas had six lengths to spare over One For The Boss.
And of her beloved horse, she said: “He’s been amazing and he taught me so much so to have a win on him after just three outings was fantastic.’’
Jessica, who has worked for west Wales National Hunt trainer Dai Rees for around 18 months, has now moved to Bridgend, where her fiance Jonathan Meyrick is huntsman to the Llangeinor pack.
She added: “My mum Ginette Prince bought me Qalinas. He’s been a real schoolmaster and so genuine and is too precious for me to risk racing again.’’
In winning the members’ race, Qalinas was completing a hat-trick, having won the event for the past three years – the first time when ridden by John Mathias, then last year with Wayne Maskill in the saddle, and this time with Jessica aboard.
Jessica is grateful for the encouragement she received from Sue Thomas and Wayne Maskill during her time with Mr Rees.
There were some exciting finishes during the day and both Pembrokeshire’s Jodie Hughes and Glamorgan’s Isabel Williams – who are fighting it out for the Welsh ladies championship – rode winners.
Jodie won the Maiden Conditions on Darwin Dancer and the Timico Mixed Open on Kelsey, while Isabel took the Conditions race, riding her grandmother’s 11-year-old brown gelding Hold Court.
Mrs Carmen Goldsworthy’s Captain Camelot, partnered by James King, took the West Wales Conditions race, coming home three lengths ahead of the oddly named favourite Hospital, and Locan Williams won the Restricted on David Morgan’s Full Print.
Bradley Gibbs, who won the closing Open Maiden on Midnight Folie, had been successful at the North Hereford Point-to-Point 24 hours earlier on John Chinn’s Emitdaad.
Mr Chinn, a former rider himself, couldn’t believe how Bradley had survived a very bad mistake at the last fence and then go on to win.
■ On April 27, Welsh hunt-racing enthusiasts will be flocking to Chepstow Racecourse for the annual Dunraven Bowl Novices Hunter Chase which all owners, riders and trainers strive to win.
Over the years, sponsor David Brace has had a number of runners in the race but has yet to win it. Can 2018 be his year?
■ On Sunday, April 29, the Gelligaer Farmers stage their annual point-to-point races over the popular Lower Machen racecourse, which is four miles west of Newport, near A468, junction 28 M4. The first of the six races will be run at 2pm.
■ The Banwen Point-To-Point Club meeting will take place at Llwynddu Glais on Monday, May 7, and the first race will be at 1.30pm.
There will be seven races on this occasion and the ladies’ open carries a first prize of £250.
■ You can send your racing news and views to Brian Lee by emailing brianlee4@virginmedia.com or phone 029 2073 6438