STAR-STUDDED FIELD

IRISH eyes were certainly smiling when BSPS championship debutantes, Josh Williamson and Plasdavrene Matty’s Mate, not only triumphed over a testing 133cm HOYS worker track to earn the family’s first-ever HOYS ticket, but then stood section champions ahead of a star-studded field.

The pony is no stranger to Birmingham, though, having competed there with his previous jockey, Saffie Osborne.

“I’ve only been to HOYS once as a spectator, and saw this pony there,” said Josh’s father Norman, a former top National Hunt jockey who made a special trip from Co. Meath to compete here. “I’m friends with Saffie’s father, Jamie Osborne, and when she grew out of Matty, Jamie suggested we have him.

“We really bought him for Josh’s younger sister Carla to ride — and she was mini champion here yesterday — but his own 133cm was injured so Josh stepped in. This ticket is a massive bonus.”