For the Cheltenham edition of Go Pointing, Jake Exelby has turned his attention to two figures who have a close affinity with the Foxhunters – in the forms of the first ever female rider to win the race and the last male rider to do so, and who is hoping to make it a double on 19th March.
A former apprentice on the flat, Alex Edwards has become one of Britain’s leading jockeys between the flags since having his first ride for Phil Rowley’s powerful Shropshire yard in 2012. Champion jockey in 2018, he was leading the table again before pointing was curtailed in December, since when he has made the decision to turn professional to ride as stable jockey for Phil’s wife Mel, who has just taken out a licence to train under Rules. With amateurs unable to ride at the Festival, Alex is looking forward to the opportunity to repeat his 2019 Foxhunters triumph on Hazel Hill next week.
How did you get into pointing in the first place?
I was struggling with my weight so was aiming to go jumping as a conditional. But I knew Phil, who was just down the road, so started riding out and schooling for him and he asked me to have a go in a point-to-point. I joined mid-season, rode a couple of winners, got on well with him and he asked me back for a second season, as his stable jockey - it was a great opportunity.
Why have you decided to turn professional now?
With Mel getting her licence, the plan was always to go pro – it’s the logical thing to do, with a reduction of the number of pointers in the yard. I was going to stay as an amateur this season and have another stab at the jockeys title – but COVID stopped me riding, so the decision was made for me.
Which other jockeys do you admire?
Nobody’s in Will Biddick’s league – he’s exceptional, fantastic over a fence and has more experience than anyone else. In the past, Richard Burton was as good as most professionals.
What are your favourite courses?
Chaddesley Corbett. It’s our local track and I’ve had about 50 winners there (41 actually, Alex!) And Bangor-on-Dee rides really well.
What’s been the highlight of your time in the sport?
Nothing compares to winning the Foxhunters. Hazel Hill had won two hunter chases the season before in a canter but we thought it was a year too soon for him – he wasn’t a baby, but he was inexperienced. We ran him at Warwick first time out with a double penalty and he proved he was good enough. I’d never been more confident going into a race than I was that day at Cheltenham – he travelled well throughout, sprouted wings when I shook the reins and flew the last.
Tell me about Phil and Mel’s Cheltenham Foxhunters hopes?
I’ve never sat on anything in Hazel Hill’s league. His owner Diana Williams and her daughter (former champion jockey) Jane trained him when he was younger but he was very lightly raced and came to us at eight, having only run five times. The first time I rode him was at Sheriff Hutton and I thought, “Bloody hell, what is this – he’s just push-button.” He was different class to anything else.
I wouldn’t get off him at Cheltenham. Although he’s 13 now, he hasn’t run that often, he’s a Foxhunters winner and he’s in brilliant form at home.
Wishing And Hoping, who we first had as a youngster, was a good horse for Alan King – when he was fifth in a bumper, he was behind Altior and Buveur D’Air! He had issues with his jumping and lost his confidence under Rules and it took a lot of work to get him settled. He’s best on better ground – that’s the key to him.
And Salvatore could run a very big race. Musselburgh (where he won last time) didn’t suit him – it’s flat and sharp and he’s a big horse.
What are your career ambitions?
To build up the yard with Phil and Mel and to do under Rules what we’ve done in points. We’ll have 20+ horses, seeing youngsters from points going under Rules will be a massive part of it and it would be amazing to get some of them to Cheltenham.
What has been your personal funniest moment in the sport?
A mate of mine – Josh Lovegrove-Fielden (I’ll get shot for telling you) – was new to the game and trying to do 11st 7lbs one day as a novice rider. He was trying to keep his weight down and weighted out without his britches. I just asked, “Have you forgotten anything?”
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
It’s one job I wouldn’t want! I’d make it go more down the commercial route, which I think would make the sport bigger, but there don’t seem to be enough people trying to do that. Youngsters need to be racing against other sales horses to prove themselves, otherwise you don’t know how good they are.
This year, it's been more competitive and harder to get winners (which didn’t stop Alex taking all four young horse maidens before the first lockdown!) Less racing means better racing, because everyone takes each other on.
What do you think the effect of lockdown on pointing will be?
Nobody really knows at the moment but it’ll hit the selling yards and I think it’ll take a couple of years to get back to normal. But we’re still going to be buying and selling horses and I hope it’s not going to scare owners off.
What else have you been up to during lockdown?
It’s been very frustrating. I love running and exercise, so I’ve been trying to keep fit and keep working out – although I miss going to the pub and out for meals. I’m not used to doing nothing, but at least racing’s back again now.
Have you been cooking during lockdown? What’s your signature dish?
I’ve improved, been cooking from scratch more and buying more fresh food. I do a mean chicken and leek pie.
Tell me about a film or TV series you've enjoyed?
I’m not a massive TV fan – if I start watching a film, I normally fall asleep before it’s over!
What about music? Do you have a karaoke song?
You wouldn’t want to hear me singing – it would be embarrassing.
What would you be doing if you weren’t involved in racing?
When I left school, I said I wanted to be a jockey but they wouldn’t accept that as an answer, so I put down electrical engineer because my Dad was an electrician. I booked a course but went straight to work in a yard and rode in my first race at 16!
Do you have a nickname?
Not that I’m willing to share. Just call me Al.
What’s your life ambition?
I’ve just bought a property with (older brother and fellow jockey) Lee. We’re going to start building that up. After all, I need a roof over my head.