Myles Osborne, 21, (pictured left with jockey Nathan Green) combines training a small string of pointers from his yard at Cold Aston – just down the road from Ben Pauling in Gloucestershire – and riding in a most egalitarian way, sharing the mounts on his stable star Moratorium (on whom he achieved his debut success in the saddle earlier this month) with Nathan Green! Jake Exelby spoke to Myles recently about plans for ‘Monty’, his other horses, and all things pointing.
How did you get into point-to-pointing?
I’m from St Austell in Cornwall and, while Mum and Dad always had horses – including racehorses - I was more interested in football and cricket. But I started riding out for local point-to-point trainer Ryan Chapman, who also has a permit, as a teenager. At 16, I went to the British Racing School at Newmarket, was placed with Ben Pauling and I’m still there.
As regards pointing, Dad’s good friends with Norman and Laura Thomas. He found Earthmoves, who Laura trained for him – I schooled him most weekends and always wanted to give race-riding a go. I rode him five times in 2019, my first season, and we were second twice and third once – he was a brilliant old horse.
The next campaign was quiet (partly due to COVID) but I got my Category A licence and had my first ride on Ourmullion at Lingfield in January 2020. Dad bought him to run in amateur races and he taught me a lot. I then started training at the beginning of last season.
Tell me about Moratorium. Why do you share the rides with Nathan Green?
He’s ex-Gordon Elliott. Dad went to the Doncaster Sales in September with a list of five or six and we had a slice of luck, as we’d been underbidder a few lots before him. He cost £10,000, which is breaking the bank for Dad! He’s an athletic horse, who had good form when he was younger – they thought he’d be graded standard – but lost his form and had some issues. We gave him an MOT and he’s more than repaid us!
Nathan also works for Ben and rides out for me with my partner Celine – I’ve always said to him that if I could find him a horse that’s safe to learn on, he could partner it. He had his first ride at Trebudannon last season and Moratorium is perfect for him.
Who’s inspired you most in the world of pointing?
Growing up in Cornwall, I learnt a lot from Ryan Chapman as a youngster and looked up to him – we’re still good friends. Will Biddick’s also a Cornish lad – you won’t find a better amateur than him. And Darren Edwards has helped me along the way – if I’ve got any questions about how to ride a course, I’d ask Darren.
Who have been your favourite horses?
Other than my own, Winter Garden, who won three points for Ryan. He didn’t get to the level he should have done, but was the first horse I schooled and the one I looked forward to watching run.
And your favourite courses?
Trebudannon. It’s my local track. It’s flat, fair, with nice fences and two long straights, and is easy to ride. Siddington is another. It’s near where I’m based now and I was second in the Members there. It’s similar to Trebudannon and gets horses into a nice rhythm.
What do you love most about pointing?
You rock up, have a picnic, run your horse and – win, lose or draw – as long as your horse comes back safe, you enjoy the day out. It’s different to anything else I know.
What's been the highlight of your time in the sport?
Riding my first winner on Moratorium at Larkhill – that was a proud moment. But I had mixed emotions. I was ecstatic at winning but also relieved, as it was my 25th ride, so it was a monkey off my back. After the race, I wasn’t concentrating and got unshipped after the line!
Myles and Monty coming home in triumph at Larkhill
I was also proud to see Nathan win on him at Dunsmore on only his second ride, having only sat on a horse for the first time three years ago. He had his race brain on that day!
What are your ambitions in pointing?
I’m not going to turn pro – I’m too heavy and not good enough! I’d like to get my Category B licence and ride against professionals and round Cheltenham.
Longer term, I see myself as a trainer. I’d like to train under rules down the line, but that’s a long way away – maybe I’ll take out a permit in three or four years’ time. With a permit, you can run your horses in points and under rules and you learn on the job – things like how to place your horses and get them handicapped.
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
I’d get a bit more prize money in the lower grade races, like Maidens and Restricteds. Sponsorships like Ineos are brilliant, but you don’t get much for winning a Maiden. It’s alright if you’re a selling yard, but otherwise you’re running for £150.
What do you think the effect of lockdown on pointing will be?
It’s been bad, but hopefully we’re on our way out of it now. Celine and I are lucky – we have full-time jobs and train pointers on the side – but we eventually want to do it for a living. I can see how point-to-point trainers have been affected and, if there’s no pointing, you’d be surprised if owners keep as many horses in training – and you’ve still got to pay for your yard, if you’ve got ten pointers or two.
Did you watch much live streaming? Do you think we should continue with it?
I think the live streaming’s been brilliant, especially in Devon & Cornwall with Cornelius Lysaght – it’s almost professional. I watched Wadebridge on my phone earlier this month and it’s helped massively through COVID.
What are your plans for this season?
Moratorium has now qualified for Cheltenham after finishing second at Warwick on Sunday. I’ll ride him in Hunter Chases, but still need to get my Category B to go to Cheltenham.
Moratorium (far side) and Fine Investment on the gallops
My yard has six boxes and, as well as ‘Monty’, we have two to run this season. For Luck is Celine’s horse – he’s a seven-year-old maiden who hasn’t shown much under rules and hasn’t run for nearly 18 months, although he would have done but for COVID. Hopefully Celine – who also works at Ben’s and has ridden in Jersey, where she’s from – will take the mount.
For Luck enjoying the views
Fine Investment is my pride and joy. He ran in bumpers and over hurdles for Barry Brennan and was running well when falling at the last at Chepstow. He’s a quirky character – highly strung – but I think he’s good enough to win a Maiden, Restricted and Intermediate.
Fine Investment shows off to the camera for his pal For Luck
Do you have any non-horsey hobbies?
Cricket and football. I played for Roche when they got to the quarterfinals of the National Village Cup and had county trials for Cornwall as an all-rounder – I’m an off-spinner and middle-order batsman.
Where is your dream holiday destination?
I love Jersey. It’s a quite little island and I’d highly recommend it. It’s only half an hour away by plane.
Who else should I do one of these features on?
Dean Summersby – he’d be quite interesting. He’s into his times and sectionals and is very good at buying pointers from Ireland who haven’t shown much.