23-year-old Kendall Dickinson works for Highworth, Wiltshire trainer Jo Davis, for whom she rode her first winner on It’s For Alan at Paxford (pictured) last month, having previously spent two years with Neil King.
Jake Exelby paid her a visit at Common Farm, from where John Manners trained two Aintree and one Cheltenham Foxhunters winners, to talk about her background, plans for the future… and beating her boyfriend to that elusive debut success!
How did you get into racing and point-to-pointing?
I’m from Banbury originally and not from a horsey background. I always wanted to ride, but was allergic to horses, so my parents wouldn’t let me until I was aware of the potential consequences. When I was 12, I first sat on a hunter hireling and never looked back – I used to ride ponies for a lady down the road. She’d led me ride in exchange for mucking out.
When I left school, I went to Hartpury College to do a course in horse management. I worked part-time at a stud, then for Andy Martin – he needed staff, so asked me to go full-time. It’s one of the best jobs I‘ve ever had – Andy and his wife Julia are like family to me and he’s a proper horseman, doing things the old school way. They’ve always looked after me and it’s good to see them doing well under rules. It was so much fun going racing with them and I worked there for two years, but I needed to broaden my horizons and learn other peoples’ ways.
Kendall on Brandon Castle for Neil King
I did a season grooming for five-star eventers – I also event myself – before going to Neil’s. I picked up so much knowledge there, and it was brilliant for my riding, schooling with the likes of Jack Quinlan and learning about racing.
Kendall doing her other hobby - eventing
When I decided I wanted to ride in points, which wasn’t that easy working in a rules yard, the Martins gave me Mighty Mustang, Paddy, even though he wasn’t a novice rider’s horse – it was his half-brother, Midnight Mustang, who first gave me the racing buzz. We had so much fun together last year. I kept him down the road with Hetta Stevens and training a 12-year-old maiden was the most challenging thing I’ve ever done! We fell first time out at Larkhill, just buckled on landing, so it didn’t scare me. My partner, Sean Clarke, also wanted to ride, and was second on him at Edgcote, then I rode him again at Garthorpe. He’s retired now, but I’ve still got him.
Kendall's first ride on Mighty Mustang
How did you get to ride It’s For Alan?
I’d moved to Jo’s and It’s For Alan had been retired and rehomed but was returned to us. He was excitable to ride but not naughty, until one day someone came to look at him, Jo said, “No-one’s ever fallen off him,” and I went flying off in front of them! We didn’t know what to do with him, so I suggested we take him pointing. We got him fit and ready to run and he’s a big strong chaser, good over a fence, who looks after me.
First time out, we were fifth at Chaddesley Corbett – he’d been off for nearly 18 months, and it got better from there. He loves it and enjoys doing it with me – he’s in charge and I let him do his own thing. We were third at Larkhill, then second there, then came Paxford…
Kendall with Jo Davis and daughter at Paxford
That day was brilliant. I said, “I’ll make the running,” which wasn’t a problem for the others. Alan and I had a great time out front, and I knew three out that we were going to win. Jo had gone through a long spell without a winner and she and her team work hard at home and look after the horses well, so it meant more for me that the team had a winner. We got a massive trophy too – I walked around the yard with it for the next week!
Kendall with the massive trophy they won
We were second at Woodford last time and will probably have one more run this season. The plan is to let Alan take us where he wants to go!
Have you been ribbing Sean about being first to ride a winner?
He’s never going to live that down! Obviously, he’s been great and was delighted with my win, but I felt a bit cruel because he’s had a few placings, including under rules. But it’s going to be a running joke for a bit! (Note: Sean had his first winner two days after I spoke to Kendall).
Kendall with Sean and dog Barley
What are your ambitions as a jockey?
I only started doing it for fun – while I’m serious about my riding, I do it because I enjoy it. I’ve got no massive aspirations – I’d love to ride round Cheltenham and in one of the Foxhunters, and I’ve got a Category A licence but haven’t ridden under rules yet. I had two potential rides but both meetings were abandoned (!) but I’m hoping to ride in a bumper soon.
Which other jockeys do you most admire and why?
Darren Andrews. He’s not just a good pilot, but a bloody nice bloke. When Sean had his first ride, Darren took the time to come and talk to him after he pulled up. Everyone says how lovely he is.
Fern O’Brien’s a lovely young jockey – I’ve chatted to her a few times in the weighing room, and I like Megan Bevan. I raced against her on my first ever ride – she was talking to me all the way round while I was trying not to panic!
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
Prize money’s a big problem if you want to encourage horses. Even if you doubled it, it would cover the cost of diesel and your entry fee, and £500 would also get you a new pair of shoes! It would allow to you travel further and pick your races better – we can’t afford to travel three hours to run.
I also think there should be more grades of races. We don’t want a handicap system – you might as well be under rules – but it would be good to have more races for less talented horses and younger jockeys. I know people who send horses pointing for their young jockeys to ride, but also lots who don’t because they’re not aware of the opportunities.
We should also be encouraging more horses to run in Opens rather than Conditions races.
What would you do if you weren’t involved with horses?
I’d probably be a paramedic because you still get the adrenalin. I couldn’t sit in an office, and I think I’m quite good at helping people.
Do you have any hobbies outside racing?
Come on, you know horsey people don’t have hobbies! Just my dog, Barley, friends, and family. I don’t go out drinking and partying. I like to cook – I do a mean roast beef.
What about music and television?
I love music – Amy Winehouse is possibly my favourite ever. I watch any old crap that’s on! I’ve been enjoying Florida Man – it’s a comedy about a guy who works for a drug lord, and an easy watch.
What is your ambition in life?
It sounds boring, but just to have a nice life, own a house and have a nice car. I’m a real family person – I don’t want to be a millionaire!