33-year-old Luke Humphrey, from Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, rode his first winner on Cave Queen at Revesby Park in November… at his 80th attempt and after nearly five years of trying. Racking his brain, Jake Exelby cannot think of any other jockey who has taken longer to break their duck, so he spoke to Luke over Christmas to find out how that victory made him feel, and whether he ever thought that success would prove elusive.
How did you get into point-to-pointing?
Mum and Dad had horses when I was a child including winning flat racers like Fontaine Lady, Fusilier I and Yesican with Tim Thomson Jones. I always wanted to have a go so, when I was 28, I bought a pointer and off I went.
My first mount was Curragh Hall, who’d won a hurdle for Dan Skelton. We were fourth at Cottenham and I didn’t have a clue, but it was great fun. The horse was covered in sheepskin – even his breast girth – and I was hanging round his neck at the third fence, at which point another jockey said, ‘You want to sit back!’
I started on horses who could do the job as a schoolmaster, until I bought Cave Queen, who had improvement in her.
Tell me about Cave Queen
She’s a lovely mare – very opinionated in the stable, busy, nervous and constantly on her toes, but kind-hearted. She’s ex-Irish – I bought her unseen from Peter Flood for not a lot of money, although she’d won second time out and had run at Punchestown.
Cave Queen
How did you feel when you won on her?
Just sheer excitement at finally having done it. The adrenalin rush was crazy – it’s hard to explain. It didn’t come into my head until later that I’d beaten Gina Andrews! All credit goes to the mare – she just stuck her head out and galloped.
Who have been your other favourite horses?
Flugzeug was a dream to ride. He could go round with his eyes closed and I never fell off him!
Paddy The Stout was my first ride under rules, an experienced horse – if I’d been more clued up at the time, I could have won on him.
Edeiff’s Lad was my second horse, and gave me my first placing under rules. I got him from Polly Gundry, who insisted I go to hers and try him first – it was almost six hours in the horsebox!
Did you ever think that you might never ride a winner?
You have highs and lows. On cold wet days or when I’d fallen, I’d think, ‘What am I doing wrong? This isn’t going to happen.’ Although it took me so long, I’d had plenty of placings (15 in total) and, when you get close, you want it more.
How do you think you have improved as a jockey?
Massively! You’re not born a race-rider – you have to learn. When I first started, I was a bit ‘tally ho’ – I thought I was out hunting and would call a cab at my fences. Now I’m more secure and sit tighter, helping my horse not hindering it.
Who’s inspired you most in the world of pointing?
Gina and Jack Andrews. They inspire you to do well. They’re winning week in, week out so I watch them ride and learn from them. It’s worth it to see what they do differently.
As a child, it was Adrian Maguire. I used to watch him, thinking he was good, and it was him who made me want to have a go myself.
Which other jockeys do you admire?
Alice Stevens. I’ve seen her ride and she’s pretty tidy. I also did the course for my Category A and B licences with her.
What are your favourite courses and why?
Revesby Park, obviously. I also like Kingston Blount. It’s a good course to ride and, when you’re coming down the hill at a fair old lick, it’s like being on a roller-coaster!
Kingston Blount - roller-coaster
What do you love most about pointing?
It’s so friendly – both the people and the atmosphere and it’s a great day out for the kids. Personally, I love the feeling of riding round the countryside.
What's been your personal funniest moment in the sport?
My second ride, on Curragh Hall at Horseheath. We finished fourth and, as I got back to the enclosure and dismounted, my legs gave way and I fell flat on my bum!
What are your ambitions?
To ride some more winners and I’d like to have a spin over the Aintree fences. Popely’s Gull is qualified, but he’s a stayer so he’d be run off his feet!
Luke on Popely's Gull at Fakenham
What changes for the better have you seen during your time?
Novice riders have to do a course now – you can’t just rock up and ride. Novices races can get a bit hairy, so it’s good for us to be assessed. When I started, I just bought a horse, took him hunting, got my certificate signed and off we went!
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
I’d give less talented horses more chance of winning – a handicap race, for example. The Level 3 Conditions races give more moderate horses an opportunity, but people tend to find loopholes.
What do you think the effect of lockdown on pointing will be?
I think that owners may not have as many horses in training due to the uncertainty and more racecourses will close. Where we’re based, apart from Revesby Park and Higham, we already struggle to find anything less than a six-hour round trip.
Did you watch much live streaming? Do you think we should continue with it?
It’s a good idea – if you’re busy, you can watch it in the evening. It should definitely continue – more people will watch, more will get into the sport and it will bring in more revenue. It seems the norm now and it will be disappointing if it stops.
What are your plans for this season?
We’ve just got Cave Queen and Popely’s Gull to run but I started getting into breeding a couple of years ago. I’ve got a Master Craftsman mare – Stella Kaya – in foal to Haafhd and a filly by Ask out of Cassis De Reine, who was multiple placed. She’ll run in point-to-point flat races.
What would you be doing if you weren't involved with horses and do you have any non-horsey hobbies?
I’m a trained plumber, but the horses have taken over! I used to do a bit of fishing when I had more time.
Who would be your ideal dinner party guests? Racing and non-racing
Lee Evans is hilarious and Mick Fitzgerald would be a good craic. I’d have plenty of jokes and laughs with those two.
Lee Evans - hilarious
What are your favourite books?
The Jumping Game by Henrietta Knight. I’ve had to learn to train as well as ride and it’s interesting to see how Martin Pipe brought a new level to the sport with interval training.
The Jumping Game
I do a lot of that myself. We have a two-furlong carpet round canter and we do up to three miles in three sets, trotting in between – my horses are always moving. It’s very flat where we are, so I use an old treadmill to trot the horses uphill!
I also ride out for Pam Sly – she’s based about 15 miles away. I’ve got loads of tips on training from her and she’s been a lot of help to me over the past few years.
Pam Sly - a lot of help
Where is your dream holiday destination?
I’d love to go to Las Vegas. Which hotel? I’d probably be greedy and go to a few!