Outstanding riding champions Gina Andrews and Will Biddick are in no hurry to move aside.
Tennis may have seen a changing of the guard at Wimbledon where 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz defeated great champion Novak Djokovic, but at Britain’s national point-to-point dinner and awards ceremony on Saturday night both Andrews and Biddick (pictured above) warned younger rivals they have more to offer.
“There’s still life in the old dog,” said Biddick after collecting his eighth national men’s championship from Olympic gold medal event rider Oliver Townend. Biddick, who with his wife Harriet and son Archie recently moved to a new yard at the home of her parents, Rupert and Georgie Nuttall, added: “I’ve had some great days with the Barber family, winning titles while with Richard, then Jack and now Chris – it’s a lot easier riding for one big yard. When I lost my contact with the Barbers [after Jack took out a full licence to train under Rules] it took a while to get going again.”
Moments later Andrews stepped onto the stage to collect her tenth women’s title and echoed Biddick when declaring: “There’s life in the old girl yet.”
At a ceremony compered by Charlie Poste and Sam Davies-Thomas, Andrews was asked about remaining ambitions and replied: “Probably the Cheltenham Foxhunters’ Chase – that one’s escaping me, but hopefully we have one in the yard [run by husband Tom Ellis] for that next season.”
Molly Landau collected the Highflyer Bloodstock female novice riders' award and the senior runner-up title (all photographs by Neale Blackburn of chasdog.com)
Molly Landau, who won the Highflyer Bloodstock novice women’s title, also finished runner-up in the senior women’s championship behind Andrews by virtue of achieving more placings than Izzie Marshall [who has recently become engaged to Joe Hill]. Landau was asked if she hoped to win the senior title one day and declared: “When Gina retires – that’s the only hope for anyone.”
Gina’s brother Jack collected the trophy for finishing runner-up in the men’s title race and then spoke of returning to the sport after a period as a conditional jockey. “It’s been fantastic,” said Jack. “I’m very glad I came back. Point-to-pointing is what I missed and love. The support I’ve had has been great.”
Britain's most successful point-to-point rider Will Biddick (right) presents Callum Pritchard with Highflyer Bloodstock's leading male novice award
Callum Pritchard thanked his bosses, Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, after collecting his trophy as Highflyer Bloodstock’s leading novice male rider. He said: “They’ve given me a massive help and time to ride out and go visiting other stables. I’d also like to thank the owners that helped me out and the boys in the weighing room for their help.”
(l to r) Adam Johnson, Carol Milburn and her brother-in-law Derryk Milburn, Will Milburn and Paddy Barlow, who rode the mare last season
Adam Johnson of Connolly’s RED MILLS presented the National Horse Championship to Will Millburn, who trained six-year-old Cullin Hills to win seven point-to-points in the colours of his mum, Carol, and uncle, Derryk. Cullin Hills ran 11 times during the season, and Milburn, who is assistant trainer to Mark Walford, said: “I don’t ride her, I just run her. She ran three weekends in a row [April 2 – 16] and I didn’t ride her in between. She told us when she was ready to run, and she’s so tough – I’ve never had a mare like her. [Next season] We’ll start off quietly and maybe target races like the Grimthorpe, the Cheltenham evening meeting and the Heart [at Hexham, in which she was second last season]."
Jim Squires heads to the stage to receive the Sir Michael Connell Award
Jim Squires, a multi-tasking marvel in the West Mercian area of which he is chairman – not to mention his role as clerk at Chaddesley Corbett and fence builder or turf manager at numerous courses – was given the Sir Michael Connell award by PPA chairman Andrew Merriam, who made a suitable eulogy to the recipient. Receiving his award and saying hard work was the key to a successful racecourse, he added: “I’m a bit nervous – the last time anyone said so many nice words about me it was followed by a bucket of water!”
Caroline Hinks, secretary of the B&SV point-to-point, with the Cynthia Higgon award
Caroline Hinks, secretary of the Blackmore & Sparkford Vale meeting, received the Cynthia Higgon award and paid tribute to her supportive committee members, in particular leading racehorse owner Paul Barber who died recently.
Peter Wright (left) presents Phil York with a deserved Outstanding Achievement award
Phil York, who in May, on his 57th birthday, rode his 400th winner, collected a new award for outstanding achievement from PPA chief executive Peter Wright, and then said of his longevity: “It’s pure stubbornness – I don’t know when to stop. While the phone keeps ringing and people still want me I’ll keep going.”
Joe O'Shea in typically flamboyant form steps up to receive the champion hunters' chase trainer's title
Joe O’Shea, who recently announced he has saddled his final point-to-point runner, collected the Point-to-Point Racing Company’s trophy for leading hunters’ chase trainer, and when asked for a horse to watch said: “Back Time Leader for next year’s Foxhunter [Chase at Aintree].”
Amber Jackson-Fennell receives Grenadine Save's maiden mares' award from Richard Russell of The Jockey Club
Grenadine Save won the Jockey Club’s leading maiden mare award. Her owner/trainer Amber Jackson-Fennell, collected the trophy from Richard Russell and then said of the seven-year-old: “I’ve ridden her since she was a three-year-old. She’s a lovely mare, but a tricky character.”
Commanche Red, who was a useful handicap chaser, has introduced owners Richard and Carol Cheshire to point-to-pointing. Trained by Jenny Gordon, Commanche Red won The Jockey Club and RoR veteran horse championship. Asked about the horse’s switch to pointing, Richard Cheshire said: “Jenny told me that was what was going to happen, so there was no argument. He has introduced us to point-to-pointing and we have really enjoyed it.”
John Heard flanked by Andrea Carlotta Montaguti and Hannah Bicket of The Oriental Club
John Heard, who had travelled from Devon to pick up the Oriental Club’s trophy for leading trainer with five or fewer horses (he trained ten pointing winners plus two in hunters’ chases with three horses last season) said: “Winning with Quintin’s Man at Cheltenham [was the highlight] on an evening when Singapore Saga was also third. It was a real ambition to have a runner at Cheltenham, let alone a winner.” Heard paid tribute to staff member Julie Thomas and said of jockey Darren Andrews: “He taught the horse [Quintin’s Man] everything.”
Josh Newman (right) collects his trainer's award from Adam Johnson of sponsors Connolly's RED MILLS
Josh Newman was given the Connolly’s RED MILLS award for trainers with six to 14 horses, and said: “There have been ups and downs and great results. We have some horses at home that have been under Rules and transition back to pointing, while some went forward [to run under Rules]. The link between the two is working well.”
Tom Ellis receives applause from around the room when stepping up to collect the Connolly's RED MILLS leading trainer title for yards with 15 or more horses
The leading trainer with 15 or more horses, Tom Ellis, has steadily grown his business over a number of season and compiled a remarkable 70 point-to-point wins last season. Asked for a name to note for 2023/24 he said obliquely: “I’m sure there’s one in there somewhere – we have an array of nice young horses we have bought privately or at the sales.” When pressed he suggested Main Stage, a four-year-old filly by Jet Away who he bought for £20,000 at Goffs UK’s Spring Sale. Main Stage ran three times in Irish points last season, placing twice.”
Luke Price was absent, but Geoff Barfoot-Saunt collected the Tattersalls-sponsored leading owner award on his behalf from Shirley Anderson-Jolag