Stories from the Saddle: Cerys Sheehy

Cerys Sheehy, who works for Fran and Charlie Poste’s Station Yard Racing, had her first success in the saddle at Chaddesley Corbett on Sunday – on just her fourth ride – taking the PPORA Novice Riders Conditions Race on pointing debutant Hubrisko, who had previously been trained by Harry Derham.

The 20-year-old, who grew up and still lives near Southam, close to the Postes’ operation, told Jake Exelby afterwards about growing up with horses and achieving her lifetime’s ambition.

Talk me through your career in racing so far and how you got into point-to-pointing in the first place.

I‘ve been riding since I could walk, as we’ve always had horses at home. Dad buys and breaks-in horses and Mum’s ridden all her life. As a child, I didn’t ride competitively – I just hacked, hunted, and did cross-country schooling. But I always knew I wanted to work with racehorses.

Cerys as a youngster

How did you come to work for Station Yard Racing?

In my last year at school, I saw an ad for Station Yard on Facebook. Mum said I wouldn’t be able to ride racehorses, but I thought I could, so started working there at the weekends aged 15. I’ve been there over four years now and Fran and Charlie have really helped my riding improve and made me achieve my ambition of becoming a jockey.

Talk me through your first season, riding Nasee and Russian Diamond.

Last season, I was told I’d have some rides and that (fellow novice rider in the yard) Ellie Miller and I would take it in turns.

My first ride was on Nasee at Revesby Park. I knew he’d be OK as he was a good jumper and I felt safe on him, but I was nervous about getting in the way of the other jockeys! On my second time on him at Kingston Blount, I knew more about what might happen. Coming to the last, I thought I might win, but he dived at it.

On Russian Diamond at Edgcote, I was nervous again, as I’d broken my collarbone on him at home, but it went fine and we finished fourth.

Tell me about Sunday – your emotions during and after the race.

Last season, I had the habit of going out wide, so Charlie told me to stick to the inner, so I had that thought in my head throughout and wasn’t going to let anyone up my inside! We sat in third, then Hubrisko jumped his way to the front and I just let him do his own thing.

Cerys en route to her first win (Marilyn Sweet)

The tempo quickened four out and I gave him a breather then – at the next – I slapped him on the shoulder and he took off. Jumping the last, I didn’t want to turn round as I didn’t want to panic, and he kept finding more.

After the race, my first thought was that I’d achieved the one thing I’ve always wanted in life, and that I never thought would come. I hope that I can keep the ride on him, that we can continue winning, and that I can keep building my confidence. We’ll probably run next back at Chaddesley Corbett later this month.

Cerys returns in triumph after victory on Hubrisko (Graham Fisher)

Other than those you’ve ridden, who is your favourite horse?

Deise Aba was owned by the Hemmings family and I rode him every day and loved him, even though he’d take off with me when I schooled him. I don’t know how much control I’d have had if I’d ridden him in a race!

Cerys on Deise Aba

I also used to ride a breeze-up filly called Shine On Me. She won the other day for Archie Watson.

Cerys working Shine On Me

Which horse (not one of your own mounts) would you most like to ride?

Guseakie (who was pulled up in the Maiden at Chaddesley Corbett). I ride him a lot at home and I’m sure he can win races – I don’t think he liked the ground on Sunday.

Cerys schooling Guseakie

Which other jockeys do you admire?

Three who I know from Station Yard Racing. I used to school with Alice Stevens and she always gave me advice. Amber Jackson-Fennell is a brilliant rider and Clara Brewitt is another who’s been really helpful.

Amber Jackson-Fennell - brilliant jockey (Caroline Exelby)

Apart from the obvious answer – Chaddesley Corbett – do you have a favourite course?

Even though I haven’t ridden at many, I‘ve been to a lot since I’ve been working for Fran and Charlie. I liked Kingston Blount – it was fun rolling down that big hill! (Crowell Knoll).

Kingston Blount - fun to ride (Neale Blackburn)

What do you enjoy most about pointing?

I didn’t know anything about it growing up – I just watched the racing on TV. But when I looked into it, I thought it sounded fun. Competitive, yes, but not to the same extent as rules racing.

Since I’ve been involved, I enjoy watching the horses improve. ‘Chuggy’ – Royal Infantry – was one. He’s gone on to win for Dan Skelton.

What are your ambitions in pointing and racing?

For now, just to stay pointing and get more experience. I’ve got no plans to turn professional, but that might happen further down the line.

What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?

Oh my gosh, I don’t really know. All I know is that it’s a hard job!

What would you be doing if you weren’t involved with horses?

If I wasn’t involved in racing, I’d probably still be working with horses, helping Dad break them in. I’m not very good at anything else!