EARLIER this year, in only my second full season I became champion female point-to-point novice rider. I rode three winners during that time, bringing my career total to four. At the Curragh last Saturday, I rode my first winner on the racecourse, when Set Point was successful in the Ladies Derby for trainer, Gordon Elliott. 

My mum has always kept horses at home - competing at a low level whenever time permitted. She was the one that really got me into it. I learned how to ride at a local livery yard, Grove Farm, where we kept our horses with Belinda Shaw and Mark Smith. The racing inspiration came from Mark and his training and passion for team chasing.

When I was 14/15 years old, I’d ride out the team chasers with him before school every morning, then go back to the yard in the evening to ride my own event horse. Without him I wouldn’t have been pushed into racing yards, as he knew so many people in the industry already. I am from Oxford which isn’t that far from Lambourn.

Close to home

Although a lot of the bigger trainers and racing yards are in Lambourn, closer to home it’s easier to access the unaffiliated and grassroots dressage, show jumping or eventing. I didn’t set foot in a racing yard until secondary school when I spent a week’s work experience with trainer Mark Bradstock. That was pivotal for me, as I got to sit on both Coneygree and Carruthers. Obviously I wouldn’t have had the experience to canter those horses but I was allowed trot around the roads on them. 

Before I did my A-levels, I went down to Jimmy Frost, where I got to do a bit of schooling. I enjoyed it there but I was always quite light at the time, so I started riding out for flat trainer Eve Johnson Houghton instead. As I was still in school, I used to go in and ride one or two lots in the morning, then go in on the weekends.

After getting my amateur licence, Eve gave me my first ride on Becca Campbell on the flat. I don’t remember very much about it, other than that it finished mid-division but I got the buzz from there. When I finished school, I spent a winter in Australia riding track work for David Feek, a trainer based in the Melbourne suburbs. I learned a lot about pace and time; that’s how they do everything over there. I had been tempted to get my licence out to ride on the flat but decided to come home. 

Long summer

Henrietta Knight, who would be a good friend, organised for me to go over to Ireland. I came over for a summer five years ago and never left! I worked for Joseph O’Brien for over a year, then went to Emmet Mullins. I wanted to get experience in a few different yards, seeing how they trained and looked after their horses.

It was also an opportunity for me to get to ride out different horses. I had a couple of spins in amateur races on the flat while I was with Emmet. I had a small break after that, as I was doing accountancy exams which needed my full attention. When I got back into racing, I went down to Colin Bowe.

At first, it was just meant to be for a bit of fun. I had really missed the jumping since I stopped team chasing. I thought it would be an opportunity to school horses at home but wasn’t thinking beyond that. I did tell Colin that I had an amateur licence but I wasn’t expecting him to give me any rides. I hoped that maybe if I got my own horse, I might get the chance to ride in a few point-to-points. 

Colin’s promise

Colin had a horse that was just returning from injury. He said that if I got him fit and going at home, I could ride him when he ran. I actually ended up riding another horse, Fort Worth Texas, in my first point-to-point for Colin in October 2022. In that first season I had reached a total of 20 rides, getting my first ever winner at the final meeting - Croi Corcra in Ballingarry. It was very exciting.

I had a feeling that she had a good chance but it was all about getting her around first. This year, my second full season riding in point-to-points, I was champion female point-to-point novice rider. The title is decided on a points basis. I rode my first winner on Wallace Olinger, a half-brother to Bob (Olinger).

After that, I rode plenty of seconds and thirds but didn’t have a winner until Backonthegoagain won at Loughanmore in April. I was leading by a couple of points going into that weekend and had mentioned it to Colin. He put the horse into that race for me, which gave me a further advantage after he won. I can’t thank Colin enough, as he has been very good to me. On the final weekend, Haggard won at Ballingarry to give me a third for the season. 

Light weights

Last Thursday, Colin rang me saying that Gordon (Elliott) was looking for someone to do a light weight in the Ladies Derby. I had ridden for Gordon in the Ladies Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse last year, so that probably helped. I would naturally be quite light but have been working hard in the gym recently in order to build up strength.

I have also been getting coaching from Cathy Gannon in RACE. She has been a huge help, especially in teaching me how to do things right on the simulator. I needed to lose 9lbs to make the weight on Saturday but three days was enough time! It was a privilege just to be declared on a horse for Gordon. He is a top trainer so to get the chance to ride one for him is pretty special.

Before the race Gordon kept his instructions clear and straightforward. He wasn’t sure with the ground changing for Set Point but said he would be delighted if we were placed. I was always happy with how he travelled throughout the race and when I gave him a squeeze turning in, I knew I had plenty left.

I was a little worried when I saw Georgie (Benson) coming up on my outside but he stuck his head down and battled all the way to the line. To get my first winner on the racecourse was special but to do so at the Curragh on Derby weekend was even better. The big dream for me, would be to win the ladies’ title in the point-to-point scene. Right now, I just want to keep improving and riding winners. 

Sophie Carter was in conversation with John O’Riordan.