Former jockey Joe Hill (right next to Lawney with Izzie after Alan's 300th winner) is an integral part of his parents’ Woodway Farm operation – father Alan is one of the most successful trainers in pointing history and mother Lawney holds a professional licence. Before hanging up his boots in 2018, Joe rode 74 winners between the flags and ten in Hunter Chases, many in the famous red and yellow Hill silks. Jake Exelby caught-up with the 26-year-old to reminisce about his career in the saddle and find out his views on the state of the sport of pointing.
What is your point-to-pointing background?
It’s a boring story! Mum and Dad both rode at a good level, though I’m too young to remember. Mum used to train our pointers before getting a licence and I grew up going racing every weekend, usually hunting on Saturday and pointing on Sunday. I was nine when pony racing was introduced and rode in the first ever race at Guilsborough. I didn’t have much success – only three winners – and my best pony was one we bought from Bradley Gibbs, called Charlie, who I believe was still racing until last year. Two of my winners were round our grass gallops – I remember one meeting there where me, my sister Gaby and Bridget, Gina and Jack Andrews all rode a winner!
Joe in his pony racing days
My first ride was at Black Forest Lodge on Ravethebrave in November 2011. Choc Thornton, who’d ridden him under rules, told me he could be keen first time out and that I should get some cover. I dropped him out but we were in front by the fourth and he ran away with me. We still won impressively. I was national novice champion that season, jointly with Harry Bannister, and also won the Wilkinson Sword title for riders under 21 who hadn’t ridden a winner before that season.
What are you doing now you’ve retired from race-riding?
My official role is Mum and Dad’s bitch! I’m assistant trainer to them both and do a lot of the paperwork. I drive the lorry when we go racing at the weekend and work on our farm during the summer. I’ve also got more involved in buying young horses, with bloodstock agent Ed Bailey, pointing trainer Chris Barber and James Standen, who is assistant to Sam Thomas.
My long-term plan is to be at Woodway Farm, working hard for the team – I’m not worried about having my name in lights.
Who's inspired you most in the world of pointing?
Mum’s been a big influence but the two who are blindingly obvious are Dad and (former champion jockey) James Tudor. Dad was so helpful during my riding career and gave me confidence. I’ve got so much respect for the man, not only for the amount and quality of winners he rode – he won three Foxhunters – and trained, but for all the stuff he does for the sport.
James lived with us when I was a kid when he was at university. He was like a big brother to me and, the older I got, the more help he gave me. He was hard-working, the way he spoke to owners was fantastic and his feedback was amazing – one day, he was alongside me riding a horse that was making a noise and said, ‘Listen – you need to know this.’ I still call him if I have a problem and he was one of the best riders ever.
James Tudor - inspiration
Who were your favourite horses?
Broken Eagle was the best I rode as well as the one I won most races on. Dad did a great job with him and he was a fantastic horse on quick ground and a sharp track – he’d have won the Foxhunters if it was held at Higham! I was lucky enough to ride him at home after I’d retired and it was as enjoyable watching him win as being in the saddle. His last win at Ampton gave me as much pleasure as any.
Best horse - the bold-jumping Broken Eagle
I won nine on Consigliere, but got him beaten a few times too when I rode him too aggressively. When he was on his A-game, he was awesome.
Joe on Consigliere
And Ravethebrave was a family pet. I loved him so much, I even let Izzie (Joe’s partner, leading female jockey Izzie Marshall) ride him! He was my first ride and win, both in points and in a Hunter Chase, my first ride at Cheltenham and my first mount in the Foxhunters there! He used to jump metal gates out hunting and one day – when he’d won at Whitfield – we took him to the pub and were sitting on his back drinking pints! I owe a lot to him.
Joe on Ravethebrave
What was the highlight of your time as a jockey?
Winning at Cheltenham on Quinz at the Hunter Chase evening meeting. We’d go there when I was a kid – it’s our festival. I was only 19, still claiming 7lbs and had only ridden two winners under rules. And I’d fallen off him at Aintree the time before!
Joe on Quinz
Do you have any regrets?
I don’t miss being in the gym at 6am wearing a bin liner! I’ve always been tall and heavy – broader set than the likes of Jack Andrews – and I was never going to race-ride long term. When I retired, it wasn’t the first time it had crossed my mind and I had a lot of problems with the scales. As James Tudor said, it was only ever going to be a hobby and my aim was always to have as much fun as possible. I was lucky enough to ride some good horses for great owners, and to be riding for one of the best yards in the country.
But I try not to have regrets. I used to get wound-up when I was younger and James would tell me not to, so now I like looking back and celebrating with fondness – the only person who loses out when you get frustrated is yourself.
Which current jockeys do you admire?
Dale Peters is underrated. He’s a fantastic jockey and a great trainer. And I know I’m biased, but I think Izzie’s the most improved rider in the last few years – she’s still getting better and she’s only 22. As far as I know, she’s the only jockey to be champion novice, then be second in the national title the next year.
What's been your personal funniest moment in the sport?
It was a Maiden at Barbury last season. Bradley Gibbs was jumping the second last on Dawnie Boy and all anyone could hear was his father Dai shouting, ‘Brad, you’re 20 lengths clear.’ Bradley turned round to look and just said, ‘I know, Dad!’
What changes for the better have you seen during your time?
Two and a half mile races have brought more horses in – you rarely see a weak Conditions race or Open over that distance – and the introduction of the young horse Maidens has been brilliant, although we’re still a different sport to Ireland and it’s important that the hunts keep making money.
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
I’d give it straight back to Peter Wright, Andrew Merriam and the rest of the team! How they’ve handled the sport during COVID has been exceptional and it’s in a great place. I went to Cocklebarrow and Milborne St Andrew and you couldn’t move for the crowds.
What do you think the effect of lockdown on pointing will be?
In the short-term, we’ve never been so busy or had so many horses. Trying to buy a horse is hard work and the market’s fantastic for sellers, so we seem to be in a good place. There are a lot of horses about, so hopefully the racing will continue to be strong and competitive throughout the year. It’s a long season and a lot of yards haven’t got going yet.
Did you watch much live streaming? Do you think we should continue with it?
There’s still a place for it and the Devon & Cornwall area is doing it well. When we ran horses at Wadebridge, we had owners who couldn’t go, who watched it. Hopefully it’s bringing in money for the hunts and, if I was running a meeting, I’d be keen to do it, especially if there’s no other racing locally.
Give me a horse to watch this season?
Coolagh Park. He’s a gorgeous horse, who still needs time and won’t be over-raced this season as he has a big future. The time of his Horseheath win was very fast and the form looks exceptional. We thought he’d be special based on his work at home and it’s great for his owners the Cranfields, who are big supporters of the yard and the sport in general.
Coolagh Park - one to follow
Do you have any hobbies outside racing?
Going to the Lambert Arms on a Sunday after pointing. I’ll have a Bulmers cider, while Izzie drinks gin and lemonade!
Who are your favourite singers?
Ed Sheeran and Sam Fender – we’re going to see them both this year.
Where is your dream holiday destination?
Anywhere I can go ski-ing, although I haven’t been for a couple of years – we were meant to go recently until France closed its borders. Izzie and her family got me into it.
What would you be doing if you weren’t involved with horses?
Again, it’s boring, but I’d be a farmer. That’s all I could probably do with my life!