28-year-old James King was champion jockey for the third time last season, a round total of 50 winners taking his career tally to 238, plus 50 under rules.
From Rodborough, near Stroud in Gloucestershire, and son of the former racing post journalist Andrew, James (pictured above with female champion Izzie Hill) rode his first winner aged 17 – on Presentandcorrect for Tim Sage at Lockinge on Easter Monday 2013 – and was champion amateur under rules four years later, when his victories included the Aintree Foxhunters on Dineur. He now works part-time for Stratford-upon-Avon trainer Olly Murphy, riding out for him five or six days a week alongside his point-to-point commitments, and lives at nearby Gaydon with partner Sophie and their two-year-old son Charlie. Jake Exelby spoke to him before the new campaign to see if he expects to win a fourth title between the flags.
Who have been your favourite horses of all time? Why?
In recent years, it would be Rose Iland and Spencer Moon, who effectively won me the championship in 2022. I won six races on Spencer Moon when he was 14 and 15 and he was so consistent – you knew he’d always run well.
Who was your favourite horse (last season)? Why?
Grace A Vous Enki, obviously! He went on quite a journey – I thought he’d win a couple, but not be leading horse. He also ticked off the last race on my point-to-point bucket list, the Coronation Cup. I believe I’m the only jockey to have won all four Classics.
James (far side) dead-heating for the Coronation Cup on Grace A Vous Enki (Tim Holt)
How did you come by the mount on him?
I’m friendly with Stan Sheppard (trainer Nickie Sheppard’s son) and play cricket with him. I just rang up for the ride and the rest is history…
Looking back to the start of the season, what were your expectations?
I had every intention of being champion again, but didn’t expect it to happen – I just hoped it would go as well as it could. But I soon had the bit between my teeth and everything clicked into place.
When did you think that you had a chance of winning the title and were there any moments – after taking the lead – when you thought you wouldn’t win?
Every time Will (Biddick, who finished second to James) and I locked horns, we both seemed to ride a couple of winners and it was nip and tuck for a while but I kept holding my lead, even though Will was chipping away at it – he’s a fierce competitor who never backs down. I thought it might be possible in January or February, as I traditionally have a strong end to the season, and I’d never had such a good start as I did last year – in the previous season, I wasn’t converting seconds and thirds into winners and think I had more placings than any other jockey.
Who were the other key trainers you rode for in your title bid and how will they be supporting you next season?
Max Comley’s partner Elen Wylie should have about a dozen pointers, Julie Wadland has a handful of nice horses and Luke Price has a lot of exciting ones. He didn’t train as many winners last season – he put quite a few away for this year – but still had a really good strike rate.
James with Luke Price, one of his main supporters (Alun Sedgmore)
Which horse are you most looking forward to riding next season?
Julie’s Glenmount (owned by PPA Chief Executive Paul Miller and entered on Sunday) is an exciting horse who may shape into a Hunter Chaser. The Intermediate Final at Cheltenham may be a target if he keeps progressing.
James winning on exciting prospect Glenmount (Will Milburn)
For Luke, Lavorante and Mister Bezi, who could be the best of his. He won a Cotley Maiden as he liked, five seconds faster than the Mens Open (won by the useful Macklin), then had a confidence boosting win at Peper Harow after a fall at Howick, which came too quickly after his first win.
James and Mr Bezi winning at Cotley (Tim Holt)
Which horse (not one of your current mounts) would you most like to ride next season?
Ihandaya – trained, like Grace A Vous Enki, by Nickie Sheppard. A beautiful, strong, uncomplicated, old-fashioned chaser who looks very good. The world seems to be his oyster at the moment and who knows where he'll end up?
Ihandaya, the horse James would most like to ride (Tim Holt)
Tell me about the threats you think Will and other jockeys will pose to your title next season
Everyone starts the season with a blank! Will is consistent year in, year out, Jack Andrews had a stop-start season and should be a threat and Ed Vaughan had a great first year. He was so young (just 16) at the start but matured and grew throughout the campaign. He’s made it more difficult for me to win races in Wales (!) and he could be a champion in years to come.
Ed Vaughan - top prospect (Carl Evans)
What are your ambitions in pointing?
To keep on riding well and riding winners, which gives me a great buzz. It would be great if I could get near Will’s career total (which is 599 at the time of writing), as I’ve had getting on for 200 winners in the last four years, but it’s unrealistic to think about that yet, so I’ll just keep my head down and keep going. I want Charlie to look back and be proud of me, although I can’t see myself keeping going long enough for him to ride against me!
Have you ever thought about turning professional?
There was a time when I thought about it, but it’s better to be a big fish in a small pond and to be able to ride some of the best horses.
What, other than injury, would make you retire?
When I don’t feel I’m riding at my best, I’ll stop. I need to keep doing my best for the owners and trainers I ride for.
What will you miss most about it? And least?
I’ll miss the buzz of riding, the winners and going racing. I won’t miss the disappointment of getting beaten!
What are your favourite courses?
Lydstep was a favourite. It’s a jockey’s course, with sharp bends and the best horse didn’t always win there. I’ve had a lot of success at Chaddesley Corbett. The racing there is quality but you still have to ride the bends! It’s also local to me.
Which trainers (that you don’t ride for) do you admire and why?
Gina and Tom Ellis not only have volume and scale, but they achieve great results week in, week out. Their horses already look great and run well and the results speak for themselves. I know I ride Grace A Vous Enki, but I must mention Nickie Sheppard. She’s got fewer than ten horses, but mixes it with the bigger yards and is very good at placing her horses.
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
I’d limit Conditions races to one per card – they dilute the racing as the conditions aren’t strict enough, so the same horse can be entered in more than one race, which detracts from the Mens and Ladies Opens.
What do you love most about pointing?
The friendly atmosphere. It’s a great day out with family and friends.
What would you be doing if you weren't a jockey?
I’d still be in racing. Probably not training, but buying and selling horses, which is something I’m starting to do. I’m not really a jockey – I just ride at the weekends!