Chloe Emsley is one of the most promising female riders on the pointing circuit, having finished third in the lady jockey’s championship last season.
Originally from Tamworth in Staffordshire, she moved to Somerset aged 16 – following a stint at the Northern Racing School in Doncaster – to work for licensed trainer Anthony Honeyball, where she spent seven years. Now working for Ed and Polly (nee Gundry) Walker, Chloe is based at Crewkerne, where she has a yard with partner Stuart Payne.
Jake Exelby spoke to the 25-year-old recently to learn more about her and her plans for the future...
How did you get into point-to-pointing and how has your career progressed?
My first pointer was a nine-year-old maiden called Village Whispers, who I got from Julie and Colin Bright. I’d had my first mounts in 2014 and broke my leg at Milborne St Andrew on just my third ride – if it hadn’t worked out with Village Whispers I might have given up, but we were third first time out then won at Wadebridge in February 2017, my first success as both jockey and trainer.
The next season, I got the ride on Sobre Tresor for Chloe Newman, who trains in Woolminstone, where I was based at the time. He was an absolute star and would tell me what to do. We won all three Ladies Opens at Wadebridge that first year – he was different gravy round there!
I knew Abbie Hughes, who used to ride for Ed and Polly Walker. When she retired, I got chatting to Polly and started working for them. I ride out there four days a week, plus twice for Ben Clarke.
Stuart and I have been training pointers for four seasons now – he used to ride in points and is assistant trainer to Anthony Honeyball, which is where we met.
Which jockeys have you most admired and why?
Polly is absolutely incredible – she still holds the record for wins by a lady jockey. She’s so good to learn from – so helpful – and a great mentor.
I also like Darren Edwards. He’s strong on a horse, always gives his best and I can ask him if I ever need advice. He’s also a lovely bloke and really down to earth.
What are your favourite courses and why?
I love Wadebridge – I’ve had more winners there than anywhere else. In our area, I also like Trebudannon – it’s a galloping track, with a bit of a hill towards the finish that then flattens out, so it takes a bit of riding. Further afield, I enjoyed going to Charing and Dingley this year (of course you did Chloe – you rode winners at both venues!)
Who have been your favourite horses and why?
Sobre Tresor, obviously. Board of Trade, on whom I won at Flete Park last season, has got some engine. But the horse I’d have loved to have ridden is Sprinter Sacre. He was so fast over his fences and so brave with his jumping. Barry Geraghty always looked motionless on him – the way he would quicken away from top class horses so easily means he must have been thrilling to ride.
What are your ambitions in pointing?
To have as many winners as I can and to keep improving. It would be nice to win the title, but Gina Andrews is incredible – she can ride most of the lads to sleep!
Do you have any regrets?
Not really, although I wish I’d gone to Ed and Polly’s sooner and got going earlier. It would have made me a better rider more quickly.
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
I’d keep the live streaming going – it’s very good. When my mum and stepdad couldn’t come racing, they’d get my nan and grandad round and the whole family would watch it at home.
If people can’t make it to the races, they don’t miss out and you might get people watching who’d never think about coming to a point-to-point.
And when we went to Charing, where I’d never ridden before and was in the last race, I watched it on my phone in the car on the way – it helped teach me how to ride the track.
What have been the highlights of your time in the sport?
Beating Southfield Theatre – who’s a serious horse – impressively on Board Of Trade at Flete Park when no-one was expecting it. And winning my first Hunter Chase on Creative Inerta for Ben Clarke at Stratford, even though we didn’t pass the post first (the winner was disqualified for weighing in light). I was chatting to the owners about what a great ride he’d given me and didn’t realise I’d won! We were also third at Cheltenham together and he’s so game.
What do you think the impact of lockdown on pointing will be?
I hope owners won’t be put off and that it won’t stop spectators coming. As for jockeys, it’s hard getting changed in a car!
How were you affected last year and what are your plans for next season?
Stuart and I had seven ready to run last season but had to back off them when lockdown happened. We’ve since sold two of them for riding and sent Whenthepennydrops to Kayley Woollacott, for whom she ran well in an Ascot bumper. Noel Fehily bought her, and she’s now in training with Dan Skelton.
We’ve got five in at the moment, including one we’ve just bought at Doncaster – three run for a racing club, and two for Stuart and I. We normally buy ours to run them, rather than sell on – the more winners we have, the more horses we hope we’ll be sent!
It’ll be great to get going and have a proper season. It’s easier to plan if you’re not worrying whether racing will go ahead. We had so many ideas last year…
Which horses and jockeys do you expect to do well?
Getaway Honey is a lovely mare. We put her away after she won at Charing because she’s had a leg injury in the past. She could be a nice Ladies horse.
Jockeys to watch include Charlotte Summersby, whose father Dean trains and who works for Paul Nicholls, Beau Morgan – Luca’s younger brother – who’s had a couple of winners, and Conor Houlihan, who nearly won the novice riders title last season.
What would you be doing if you weren't a jockey?
I’ve no idea. I’ve ridden and gone racing since I was a child and have always loved going fast and jumping.
Do you have any non-horsey hobbies?
I like running, but only to keep fit for racing! Horses take over your life.
What are your favourite films and TV programmes?
I binge-watched Netflix during lockdown – Peaky Blinders was my favourite. And I’m a geek when it comes to superhero movies – Captain America, Iron Man, The Avengers… I love Doctor Who as well.
What are your life ambitions?
To live every day as it comes. I like my life and wouldn’t change it.
Where is your dream holiday destination?
I’d love to go to Africa on a proper safari – I’ve always enjoyed wildlife parks. But I wouldn’t want to go to Australia – they have loads of spiders and I’m terrified of them. Stuart has to get rid of even the tiniest ones!
Is there anything else you want to say?
Just that I hope everyone else is looking forward to next season as much as I am.