SIOBHAN Rutledge will ride in Newmarket for the first time today when she partners Mr Escobar in the Cesarewitch, one of five Willie Mullins runners in the race. With William Buick and Rachael Blackmore also on Team Mullins, we don’t suppose Willie needs Siobhan to give any coaching lessons in the parade ring but we hear the apprentice has some hidden talents.
Last Saturday at the Curragh Siobhán found herself in the role of jockey coach following the Irish Pony Club exhibition race.
“I had to pick the most stylish rider in the race and then I had to run through the race with each of the riders and give them advice as we watched it back on the big screen in the parade ring.”
Asked if it could it be a full-time job one day, Siobhan laughed: “I don’t know about that but I didn’t find it difficult. I found it came fairly naturally even though most of the riders were taller than me!”