ACTING UP: Incredible acts of horsemanship

Features | 10th August 2018

Everyday up and down the country thousands of men and women dedicate their lives to the upkeep of the racing industry, consistently showing expert horsemanship in everything they do.

Photo courtesy of King Victory Media

Some situations however, are more extreme than others and require a special mention, just ask flat jockey Laura Wilson who found out the hard way earlier this week!

Laura Wilson

Laura showed unbelievable skill and bravery whilst preparing to go down to the start on board Brian Ellison’s Kody Ridge, who was not very keen to get going to say the least.

Kody Ridge twisted and turned but Laura, being tenacious jockey she is, jumped back on to regain control and compete in the race.

Gavin Sheehan

Gavin showed incredible balance and poise to continually stay on board as his mount rumbled round Fakenham in anything but a steady manner!

Both the horse and jockey made it round unharmed but Gavin’s balance was certainly tested to the limit.

Tom Greatrex

Jockey Tom Greatrex readies himself for the ride aboard Blue Haze in a bumper race at Worcester in 2016, but the horse makes it anything but a steady trip.

Blue Haze drifts across the paddock before steaming out towards the course like a scolded cat!

Thankfully Tom maintained composure and showed incredible horsemanship in calming the horse before making his way down to the start. He won’t forget that one in a hurry!

Aaron Kuru

What about this incredible sit from international jockey Aaron Kudu.

Both Kudu and horse fell on the opening circuit but despite the initial mishap, Des De Jeu jumped stylishly from there on to race into contention with two furlongs to run.

Showing no signs of fatigue, he hunted down the heavily backed Gagarin over the last fence to race clear and score a stunning victory! Incredible!

Dougie Costello

Quite simply brilliant horsemanship from Dougie Costello!

At Wolverhampton back in 2015, the filly in question called Sculptured, simply did not want to go to post, Dougie had to deal with the bucking and kicking rodeo style before he could even start thinking about the race.

Dougie managed to calm her down, win the race by a length and stay incredibly humble about it afterwards. Hats off!

Lewis Edmunds

Apprentice Lewis Edmunds showed incredible skill and strength with Economic Crisis acting up before heading to the stalls.

The pair regained composure and came second in the Handicap at Catterick.