A day in the life of a ‘real’ jockey
Twenty one year old dual purpose jockey David Nolan set off this morning from his boss, Ian Williams, Dominion Racing Stables in Portway, Birmingham and headed south to Goodwood Races, Chichester, West Sussex.
Apprentice jockey David rides War Owl for Ian and owner Mrs Glennie Braune in the 5.15pm race, the Kanagwa Stakes (Handicap) run over 1 mile and 3 furlongs. The paper price for the eight-year-old gelding is 20-1 and he hasn't been seen on a racecourse for 227 days. Although a progressive sort last season he was below par when last seen in September 2004 at Sandown when finishing fourteenth of sixteen under professional jockey Seb Sanders.
From 41 flat starts this son of Linamix has won four times, been placed second on three occasions and thirds on six occasions. He looks up against it with several of today's rivals having the advantage of a recent run. He finishes ninth of fifteen runners beaten 12 ¼ lengths and a neck. Not too disappointing in a competitive affair, but still out of the money. David weighs back in at 8-8lbs, with his 3 lb weight allowance (he is allowed an additional 2 lbs for his body protector).
Now it is a quick dash across to Worcester for David for a ride as a conditional jockey in the 8.10pm race, a Maiden Open National Hunt Race run over 2 miles.
He rides the newcomer, a four-year-old filly, River Iris for trainer Lucinda Featherstone. David weighs out at 10-3lbs, with his 3 lbs weight allowance (he is allowed an additional 2 lbs for his body protector). On paper his mount has little appeal and finishes out of the money.
Back to Birmingham before riding as an apprentice jockey at Newmarket tomorrow where he gets the leg up on the Ian Williams trained High Action in the £20,000 added Rowley Mile Handicap run over 1 mile 4 furlongs. The off time is 5.05pm. He has fifteen horses to beat.
David has ridden 67 winners from 939 rides as an apprentice jockey on the flat; he has a further winner to his name as a conditional jockey riding under National Hunt rules. He has ridden for 127 individual trainers including Peter Chapple-Hyam, David Loder and Gerard Butler. This is a tough game, mentally and physically.
Each morning David will carry out stable duties and ride out before setting off for the races if he is booked to ride. He can't afford to pick and choose his rides if he wishes to succeed where others before him have failed. Some days it must feel like an up hill struggle, but when a winner is ridden the sheer elation is clear for all to see. All the hard work has paid off.
This is not intended to put off any aspiring jockeys but to instill the realization of a career as a jockey. David is very competitive, brave and skilled. He is a professional going about his every day life. If any of you think you could show this level of dedication then contact the Northern Racing College, as David did in 2000 and let us equip you with the necessary skills to ride winners. A phone call is all it takes, it really is that easy.
