Sam’s the man in tailor-made style
JOCKEY Sam Twiston-Davies has become a parttime professional model for a clothing firm specialising in outfits for unusual sizes.
“He’s so photogenic,” exclaimed one female admirer as he posed at father Nigel’s Cotswold yard, in a line of trendy new gear alongside some of the more notable inmates, including Grand National hope Blaklion, the mount of Cheltenham Festival star Noel Fehily.
“I can’t believe they’d want to use a little-known jump jockey like me as an ambassador for their new ‘Small’ menswear range,” said the 24-yearold, who will be riding Saphir Du Rheu for champion trainer Paul Nicholls in the National.
So when the jockey turns up at Aintree today, in stylish new Jacamo trousers, shirt and jacket, he hopes that Saphir Du Rheu will also prove tailor-made for the big race challenge.
Twiston-Davies is better known for his stylish riding style. Considering the hard act he had to follow as Nicholls’ stable jockey – legendary Ruby Walsh – he has done brilliantly to notch four consecutive centuries.
“Ruby was with Paul for years and he set an incredibly high standard,” he said, “It was important to go in open-minded and improve in every aspect I could. Every ride, every mistake I make I try to learn from them and move forward.
“But as a team we are strong. Obviously the yard is in a transitional period at the minute with new horses and hopefully some more Grade One horses coming through the door.
“We’re all going to have to ride as many winners as possible this month to help Paul retain his trainer’s title.
“When I was young I liked to watch every jockey and pick bits out about what you like in them. You never stop learning from Noel, who is never in the wrong place. He is brilliant tactically.
“The likes of Richard Johnson and AP McCoy are just so strong in the saddle. And from a personal point of view, there’s Carl Llewellyn, who has looked after me for years.
“If I do give one a bad ride, he’s the first one I call and he talks me through it. He did win two Grand Nationals! The first time I rode in it, I walked the course with Carl and the stories he told were phenomenal and made you feel that one day it could happen to you too.”
With dad Nigel having won two Nationals, and younger brother Willy having won a Foxhunters on Baby Run, TwistonDavies says that Aintree is a “massive” factor in their lives.
The yard’s first winner was Earth Summit, but it was handsome 2002 hero Bindaree that has had the biggest impact.
“He’s probably the reason why we are still here talking about the National,” says Sam.
“Dad had talked about retiring from the game. The business had become really tough and winning the National is what kept him going.”
Aintree also seems to suit Saphir Du Rheu, who won his Grade One chase at the track over the Mildmay fences.