Few, if any, couples do more to support point-to-pointing in East Anglia than John and Mel Sharp.
Based at Dullingham near Newmarket and both former riders – John with a particularly distinguished career, counting 168 winners between the flags alone – it is amazing they find time to run a successful horse feed business, Sharp Nutrition, alongside their pointing duties. A former Chair of the PPORA, John recently fulfilled that role again on an interim basis and remains Vice President for the East Anglia region as well as acting as Clerk of the Course at Horseheath and Chair of the Thurlow Hunt.
For her part, Mel – who according to John, “Doesn’t do that much”, is Secretary of the Thurlow Hunt as well as well as Area Secretary for point-to-pointing in their region.
Jake Exelby talked to them both to discover how they manage to juggle everything they do…
How did you get into point-to-pointing?
(Mel) I’m not from a horsey background, but my Dad went to work for Sir Michael Connell, so I grew up on his farm. I then went to work for John when he was training pointers and bought my first thoroughbred – Secret Seal – aged 18. The plan was to event him but he couldn’t do dressage, so I ran him in the Woodland Pytchley members at Dingley in 1990 and we won on my first ever ride.
(John) My first rides were on Paradise Beach at Cottenham in the late 1960s – the horse was about the same age as me and would only last two-and-a-half miles. I was terrified – I remember Hunter Rowe swearing at me, “Don’t you ever come past me, boy.”
I wanted to be a jockey so had two years as amateur for George Owen in Cheshire when Tommy Stack rode for the yard and rode in points against the likes of Robin Greenaway. Because I wanted to turn professional, I went to be second jockey for Les Kennard in Somerset, then went to work for Stan Mellor near Lambourn, who told me I wouldn’t make it, so I went home, which was on the border of the Midlands and East Anglia areas, to ride in points.
Which jockeys have you most admired and why?
(John) I grew up following David Turner – literally. I had great respect for John Bryan, to whom I was third in the jockeys title in 1978. Gary Hanmer was one of the toughest and nowadays, I like to watch Dale Peters.
(Mel) In my time, it was Alison Dare. For me, Jack Andrews is the best of the current bunch.
What are your favourite courses and why?
(John) I loved Newton Bromswold. It was set in proper grassland and we would race across seven different fields. I also had a lot of success at Cottenham and Higham.
(Mel) Dingley – it was my local course growing up and I had my first winner there. I also like Guilsborough – every fence is different.
Who have been your favourite horses and why?
(John) Water Sport was the best I ever rode, and one of the best pointers in the country at the time. I won 30 races on him, but he only ever won at Worcester under Rules. Stanwick Lad was the most prolific – we won over 40 together – but he was another who couldn’t cope with the bigger fences and only won twice under Rules.
(Mel) The best horse I rode was Kelly’s Honor – I remember beating Fine Lace at Guilsborough in 1993. John was riding Good Waters in the same race but fell!
What have been the highlights of your time in the sport?
(John) Winning the RE Sassoon Hunter Chase twice on Kelly’s Honor and finishing second on him to Three Counties in the 1989 Cheltenham Foxhunters.
(Mel) My win on the same horse at the national point-to-point festival (in 1994, when he was 15).
What's been your personal funniest moment in the sport?
(John) I used to ride a horse called Barnston – who I named a house after - for George Owen. One day the fog came down and they put the meeting back. We were all in the bar drinking whisky macs and I was p*ssed! I got the giggles in the paddock and was told, “For God’s sake, concentrate.” I bumped him round to finish second. Next time out, my Dad was filming me – I galloped past and the next shot is him riderless. I’d fallen off at the first! I did win on him that year though…
Do you have any regrets?
(John) I was desperate to turn professional but had so much fun riding as an amateur for over 30 years.
What changes have you seen during your time? For better, for worse?
(Mel) Standards have improved and it’s got more professional. However, the paperwork has increased incredibly, and not just because of equine flu and coronavirus.
What do you think the impact of lockdown on pointing will be, particularly in the East Anglian region?
(Mel) Everyone’s keen to get going again and upbeat. While we only had two meetings last season, we held ten of the 15 scheduled before the first lockdown in 2019/2020 – we were very lucky.
(John) There’s been a shortage of horses in East Anglia for the past ten years. It’s partly because we don’t have as many stock farmers. In the Midlands and the West Country, they raise their horses with cattle and sheep – it’s a good grounding for point-to-point racing. Round here, the farming is more arable.
A lack of horses concentrates the mind. Even if a local meeting only has a few East Anglian runners, it can still be successful, as we attract horses from far and wide. We just need to make sure that the race planning is correct. If Gina Andrews had married an East Anglian farmer, it would have been very different!
What are you most looking forward to about next season?
(Mel) Going back to having declarations on the day, seeing people again and not having to wear masks.
Which trainers and horses do you expect to do well?
(Mel) The likes of David Kemp, James Owen and Andrew Pennock will have lots of nice horses. James, in particular, is very good with novice riders. I’m looking forward to seeing Fumet D’Oudairies again – he and Jack Andrews are a hell of a partnership.
What was behind the decision to race at Horseheath on New Year’s Eve next season?
(John) We always enjoyed the New Year meeting at Cottenham and it was very successful. Plus, we’d rather race at Horseheath in December than March when it can be difficult to water.
(Mel) There was a gap in the fixture list than, which the PPA Board were keen for us to fill.
What would you be doing if you weren't involved with pointing?
(Mel) John would run a wine bar.
(John) It wouldn’t last long – I’d drink all the profits!
Where is your dream holiday destination?
(Mel) Safari in Botswana. And we always have fun with Caroline and Gerald Bailey and Alan and Lawney Hill.
(John) The Hills find out where we are and bulldoze their way in!
Who else should I do one of these features on?
(Mel) Garthorpe Clerk of the Course Brian Crawford.
(John) Simon Marriage, who runs High Easter.