Stories from the Saddle: Joe Wright
- pporacommittee
- Apr 9
- 8 min read
Joe Wright has been one of the leading jockeys on the Yorkshire and Northern circuits for the past decade. Aged 28 and originally from Carlisle, he achieved his 100th career winner earlier this season and won his second Grimthorpe Gold Cup – the most prestigious point-to-point race in Yorkshire and one of the sport’s four ‘classics’ – on Sam Magee on Saturday, the day before his birthday. He then doubled up in the next race on Wotter Trotter, who he trains himself. Jake Exelby spoke to Joe afterwards to talk through his career and future ambitions, both in and out of the saddle.
Talk me through your career in racing so far and how you got into point-to-pointing in the first place?
Maurice Barnes trains at Brampton, where I went to school and about 15 miles from where I lived. I’d already ridden ponies, then started riding out on Maurice’s racehorses on Saturday mornings when I was about 11. Then I would ride out before school, one lot became more and I started being late for school! I had my own pony and Mum and Dad would drive me everywhere to race.
In the school holidays, I’d work for Ferdy Murphy, who was a big player at the time. I did loads of schooling and racecourse gallops for him. He taught me a lot – how to drink, how to play poker… he was a lovely man.
When I was 16, he was keen for me to stay with him, but he was moving to France, so put me in touch with Kate Walton. I lived in her house in Middleham for 18 months and worked with her and Phil Kirby. Phil then moved to Catterick, so Kate joined Micky Hammond and I stayed with her. I spent four seasons there and rode several winners under rules, including Minella Hero, who was my first ever winner, at Hexham.
It was Catherine Walton (no relation to Kate), a leading pointing rider in the Northern area, who put me in touch with Justin Landy. He had two horses – Knocklong and Ardea – and my first year pointing was crazy. I won two races on Knocklong, four on Ardea, including the Heart of All England Hunter Chase – I won eight in total on him – and my career took off from there. Those two horses and Justin put my name out there.
How did you build connections alongside Justin Landy when you were starting out as a jockey? Specifically, with the likes of Guy Brewer and Charles Clark?
I’ve had more wins for Justin – over 20 – than anyone else. But when he took out a permit, I stayed pointing. I rode one for Guy – who knew Justin – by chance, and he liked a jockey who was available for all his. So, I’d go and ride out there and rode for him for two or three years. He had some good horses – the likes of Point The Way, Ravished, Snow Castle and Dark Mahler.
After I left Micky’s, I was always going back and forth to Malton, so decided to base myself there. I was having fewer rides under rules by then, I got a spare ride for Charles and started helping him in my breaks and lunchtimes. If you put the work in, you get the rewards.
You had nine winners in your first season pointing, then seven winners under rules in 2016/2017. Did you ever consider turning professional?
We had a chat about it when I was working for Micky Hammond. I had a Category B licence and was riding against professionals. But my weight was becoming a struggle – I’m 6’1” – and was only going one way as I got older. So, I decided to try to become one of the leading pointing riders in the North.
You’ve had your 100th winner this season on Meelick Island? How did that make you feel?
It was a dead-heat at Garthorpe, on my first ride of the season, and there was nobody from Yorkshire there! I was hoping to do it last year – I had 15 winners in points and two in Hunter Chases, including on my own Slaney Opera – but ended on 99. Hopefully I’ll have my 100th pointing winner – I’m on 91 – in Yorkshire.
You’re assistant trainer to Ruth Jefferson. How did that role come about?
I’m good friends with Jamie Hamilton and Brian Hughes and they knew I wanted to get into training properly. I didn’t have family, or the backing of a yard in Yorkshire, then Ruth came up to me at Doncaster Sales and offered me the position as her assistant.
I already knew Ruth through former jockey Finean O’Toole, who’d worked for her father Malcolm. She and I bounce off each other well. She’s definitely helped with my pointers, and I like to think that I’ve helped her too.
Who was your first winner as a trainer?
Carriglux at Sheriff Hutton in 2023. Funnily enough, it was the same race that Wotter Trotter’s just won.
You combine training and riding. What are the challenges involved with doing both roles and how do you manage to fit your own training around your role at Ruth’s?
It’s chaos, to be honest! But they say there’s always a good woman behind a good man and I’d be f*cked without my partner Alex Duckitt! Take Saturday. I had five rides, one of which I train. I had no time to do my own horse, so had to give it to my team. That fries my head, as I like to be hands on and do everything myself.
I feed my horses at 6.15, start at Ruth’s at seven, ride six lots for her, then finish at 1pm. I do my pointers all afternoon and we finish at 5.30 after the evening feed. It’s easier when the clocks go forward.
I’ve got four horses in at the moment, although I’m starting to turn them out. I may keep one or two going – Wotter Trotter may go to Charm Park, although that’s ground dependent, as he’s a big horse.
I’m looking to expand the yard next season and am always on the lookout for new owners!
Many of your winners have been maidens. Do you focus on buying a particular type of horse to train? And are you looking to emulate the likes of Jack Teal and John Dawson and focus on young maidens to sell?
I prefer buying Maidens. Although Carriglux, Slaney Opera and Wotter Trotter weren’t bought to sell – they’re pointers to go through the grades. Slaney Opera was fourth in a race at Doncaster where I was second on Kilmore Rock to Jack on Ira Hayes. He sold his for over £50,000, I sold mine privately and I couldn’t believe I only had to pay £1,000 for Slaney Opera at Doncaster.
But I’d like to focus on Young Horse Maidens going forward. Jim King, Justin Landy’s uncle, helps me buy my horses. He’d give Tom Malone a run for his money – he’s brilliant, under-rated and sees things other people don’t. We like to buy ex-Irish pointers who’ve run one or two times and finished fourth, fifth or sixth in a good Maiden. They can offer value for money.
Which has been your favourite horse?
I’d have to say Ardea – he was brilliant for me. He was bought by Jim out of a field for very little money and was a bit of a handful. When we won our Maiden at Brocklesby Park, there’s a video of the guy we bought him from with his head in his hands!
Also, Minella Hero, Point The Way – who gave me my first Grimthorpe Gold Cup – and now Sam Magee, of course! He could end up in a big race, although he’s better going right-handed, which could be an issue for Cheltenham or Aintree.
Which other jockeys do you admire? And trainers?
I think Dale Peters is the best point-to-point jockey in the country – different league. He’s mustard! I’ve got on with him since I was a kid, and we have a great craic.
I’ve ridden plenty of winners for Jack Teal when he’s been injured or at another meeting. He’s one of the best at getting young maidens ready. They’re not just there for a day out and he’s not frightened to go south.
I remember schooling two horses with Jack last year. One was Matterofexpression, who won by 30 lengths for me at Alnwick. But he couldn’t hold a candle to Jack’s grey horse – that was Low Kick, who he sold to Gordon Elliott for £170,000.
What's your favourite course?
Yorkshire pointing has some of the best tracks in the country. I like riding round Sheriff Hutton and Charm Park, and Witton Castle has great viewing. And I love riding at Alnwick. I’ve had lots of winners (17) there and think it’s the best course in the Yorkshire and Northern areas.
What are your ambitions in pointing and racing? As a jockey, and as a trainer?
I’d love to win one of the big ones. I’ve had a go at both Foxhunters and have ridden in the Kim Muir. I like to think I’m under-rated and would love to get more rides, but spares are hard to come by in Yorkshire, and most of mine come in Maidens. I’m just missing another Guy Brewer or Justin Landy behind me.
I’m using pointing as a kickstart but am undecided whether to take out a rules licence. You have to be realistic and, financially, I’d need a backer. I don’t want to do it half-heartedly and cut corners – that way, you get left behind.
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
I’d take a serious look at the fixture list. Some weekends, I shake my head at the clashes.
I also think there are too many Novice Riders and Hands and Heels Races – I didn’t ride in many (just two) myself – and not enough Mens Opens – why should a card have a Ladies and a Mixed Open, but not a Mens?
And finally, it absolutely fries my head that if you’ve never ridden a winner, you can ride in a Maiden, jumping 18 fences and getting in people’s way, but you can’t ride in a flat race. I might even go as far as stopping riders with fewer than ten winners from riding in Maidens!
Do you have a sponsor? Who?
Scott Lowther, who owns LIP Construction. When I started riding out for Maurice Barnes as a kid, Scott was an owner with Maurice, and he’s followed my career since then. He’s sponsored me for about eight years.
What would you be doing if you weren’t involved with horses?
I wouldn’t have a clue. Racing’s all I know!
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