Northamptonshire-based funeral director Toby Hunt is one of the most enthusiastic owners in the sport.
His familiar red, white and blue colours have been carried to victory nearly 90 times since they first appeared on a racecourse 25 years ago, most notably by the prolific Done A Runner and multiple hunter chase winner Man Of Steel.
Toby currently has six horses in training as well as some young stores at his Luddington-in-the-Brook home. Jake Exelby caught-up with him last week to get the lockdown lowdown.
Who’s inspired you most in the world of pointing?
In my early years, going pointing as a young boy, it was definitely John Sharp, who won twice on my family’s horse Robert Clive in 1978 - whatever he rode, I put my 50p pocket money on.
In the 80s and 90s it was Jimmy Tarry – in those days I didn't know him personally, or what horses would be running, so my eyes lit up when I saw his knackered blue lorry pulling into the lorry park, invariably with winners in the back!
Who have been your favourite horses?
Flying Ace was an incredible horse. I think that it won its first 18 races, then I backed it on its 19th run! Others I remember fondly are Cool Dawn, Double Silk, Fine Lace, Sheer Jest, Stanwick Lad, Teaplanter, I could go on…
Among my own horses, Done a Runner (Billy) and Point Proven (Happy) bring back some incredible memories. I went to the sales on my own to buy Point Proven, an ex-Gigginstown horse, who hadn't run for some time. When I put my hand up at 1,600 guineas and the hammer went down, I was as pleased as punch… until it dawned on me that I had nowhere to keep him, so I had to borrow a stable from Mr & Mrs Marks (Stanwick Lad's owners) who lived up the road.
I sent him to Jimmy Tarry as I knew he'd give him a chance and against all the odds he wasn't out of the first two in his six points that season – winning two – and he went on to win at the age of 13.
What's your favourite course?
Of the courses still going, I would say Mollington. It’s a proper test for horses, they need to stay and the course and going are very well managed. My wife Jane and daughters Hatty and Milly would say Dingley for the social aspect.
And your most embarrassing one?
I hired a box at Market Rasen when the point-to-points were held there, to show off to my friends and family. Unfortunately my runner Merry Minstrel buggered off with the jockey going to the start, did a whole circuit the wrong way then – as they approached the other runners – the horse didn't stop and went round again at full pelt. Much to the amusement of everyone there, the horse was withdrawn and I was brought before the stewards to explain my instructions to my jockey. I said “Well it wasn't to go the wrong way round for two bloody circuits was it?” I was fined and my comments were printed in the Racing Post the following day!
What has been the highlight of your time in the sport?
Proving myself able to train a winner on (the aptly named) Point Proven at Brafield-on-the-Green. It was the second winner of the day for then novice rider Dale Peters, his first double and the start of a long friendship between us.
What’s been your funniest moment?
My trainer Dale Peters was upgrading his facilities at a considerable cost. Andy Dickins, another one of his owners, had attended the national point-to-point awards and heard champion trainer Phil Rowley say that he’s just a sheep farmer really, so runs his horses with the sheep. Andy told Dale not to waste his money on new gallops and do the same as Phil. When Dale said he wanted to be competitive and win races, Andy's solution was, “Just buy some faster sheep then”. Seeing the disbelief on Dale's face was hilarious.
What are your career ambitions?
To have a winner at Cheltenham. To win the Foxhunters would be amazing, however I'd take any winner there whatever the meeting, whatever the race.
What changes have you seen in your time, for better, for worse?
I agree with the Cowards that they meddle too much with the races now. It was better when you had your opens, maidens and restricteds with an adjacent hunts race. Now I read the conditions for some races and haven't got a clue if I can actually run in them or not! I also liked the days when you could win two restricted races, having to carry a 7lb penalty after winning the first.
Who’s going to win the Cheltenham Foxhunters?
I think Salvatore is an each way bet at 33/1, but I think Billaway has the best form.
How has lockdown affected you from a racing perspective?
Obviously it's been hard for not knowing when to have horses ready – stopping and starting the season has been difficult – but, on the whole, I think most people have accepted it.
I've run one – Omar Maretti, who has won twice - under Rules in hurdles, which I wouldn't do normally. Then I bought a couple from Shark Hanlon in Ireland to go pointing but ran them in hunter chases – Kilkishen won and Peacocks Secret was second.
I’ve got three to run in points. Poetry Emotion and the Jolly Pot are with Jimmy Tarry and Our Bill’s Aunt is with Dale. She’s a half-sister to Talk Is Cheap, hence the name!
What do you think the effect of lockdown on pointing will be?
Hopefully we'll bounce back strongly and I think we need to make a few changes anyway. Owners need more encouragement to stay in the sport and to have a better experience on the day. It's so expensive now to get a horse to the races that, as an owner, you don't take kindly to someone on the gate counting how many are in your car and asking for another £30 or £40.
Have you been cooking during lockdown?
Myself, Jane and the girls have had a cooking competition at home, a bit like Come Dine With Me. Each weekend, we took it in turns to cook a three-course meal and name a theme that we had to dress for – the best one was probably Peaky Blinders. By the way, Jane finished last, not me!
What superpower would you choose and why?
I thought of being invisible so I could scare people or go in the ladies changing room! However, Hatty said, “If you were invisible, people wouldn't know you were there and would be talking about you behind your back – and from what I've heard, that wouldn’t be good!” Point taken Hatty, thanks.
Do you have a nickname?
Isaac. (Readers will have to work that one out for themselves!)