25-year-old Charlie Deutsch is a young man going places. Enjoying his best ever season – with 44 winners at the time of writing, including the Ladbrokes Trophy (former Hennessy Gold Cup) and a first Grade One victory – he has just achieved his first success at the Cheltenham Festival. A graduate of the pointing scene, he talked to Jake Exelby last week about his time riding between the flags, his career goals and his Cheltenham hopes.
What is your background in point-to-pointing and how did you get into riding under rules?
I’m from Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire and now live near Ledbury. My Dad John used to ride and train pointers – Granville Grill, who ran for a long time (he won his last race aged 18) and Paddy’s Peril were his best horses – and that got me interested. I used to hunt with the Beaufort, started pony racing then – at 16 – went to work for Charlie Longsdon, where I spent three seasons.
John on Granville Grill
I started race-riding when I was 16. My first mount was in a point at Black Forest Lodge on the Sunday then on the Tuesday, I had my first ride under rules for at Folkestone on Fitandproperjob, which won. My first win between the flags was on Victory Parade at Didmarton in March – my Dad trained him and I used to go home during my lunchbreak at Charlie’s to gallop him.
Charlie riding his first winner on Victory Parade
Then I picked up a spare ride at Kingston Blount on Charles Bruce for Andrew Campbell, which also won. I rode him in the four-miler at Cheltenham and we were 100/1 outsiders. I thought I’d have a go and we set off in front and were never headed. It was incredible.
Charlie on Charles Bruce
At the end of that season, I went conditional for Charlie, which was probably too soon. I did that for two seasons and rode about 20 winners, then reverted to amateur status for the end of the 2014/2015 season, where I rode a few pointing winners for Tom Lacey. I then decided to give it another go as a professional with Venetia Williams. I’m now in my seventh season working for Venetia, where I’m stable jockey. I also ride for Sam Thomas among others.
Venetia Williams - Charlie's boss
What have been the highlights of your time as a jockey?
As an amateur, winning the Hunter Chase at Cheltenham. Under rules, winning the “Hennessy” on Cloudy Glen and the Scilly Isles Novices Chase on L’Homme Presse.
Charlie on Cloudy Glen
Charlie on L'Homme Presse
Who's inspired you most in racing?
In pointing, my Dad. I’ve watched all his tapes – he’s got loads!
Professionally, Ruby Walsh would be up there. I used to love watching him at Cheltenham – he was in a league of his own.
Ruby Walsh - inspiration
Who have been your favourite horses?
I loved Victory Parade to bits. I rode him at home every day and won three races on him.
Under rules, Aachen and Yala Enki helped my career a lot. Of the current bunch, it would be L’Homme Presse and Royale Pagaille.
Tell me about your Cheltenham plans
My biggest hope would be L’Homme Presse. He’ll probably go for the three-mile novice chase, but it depends on the ground. He’s very classy, but so are the Irish Grade One horses he’ll be up against!
I also ride Royale Pagaille in the Gold Cup and Funambule Sivola in the Champion Chase for Venetia, who both have each-way chances. And I’m hoping to ride Good Risk At All for Sam Thomas in the Coral Cup, but he may not get in. Otherwise he’ll go for the Conditionals’ Handicap Hurdle, but I obviously can’t partner him in that!
Why do you think this season is going so well and what are your ambitions in racing?
I don’t know, really. I’ve always had good Saturday winners but I think I’m riding classier horses this year. I’d like to get to 50 winners this season and would love a winner at the Festival. Longer term, just to keep riding winners, especially in the big races.
How much do you follow pointing nowadays?
If I get a day off, I’ll go – my last meeting was at Knightwick in November and I love going to my local courses at Andoversford, Didmarton, Maisemore Park and Paxford. I’m following Fred Philipston-Stow and Mr Caffrey this season – I live on his Dad Ed’s farm.
Paxford - local track
I love the party atmosphere of pointing and the fact that all the tracks are unique.
Do you have any hobbies outside racing?
I like going hunting, but don’t do much that doesn’t involve horses - during lockdown, when there was no racing, I got very bored. I watched Drive To Survive and Peaky Blinders and Stan Sheppard got me and Richard Patrick helping with fruit picking – that was hard work. I also helped my brother Rollo – a former rider who’s now a shepherd – with shearing and lambing. I wasn’t very good at it!