Marina Bealby, 26, is the most recent of the Bealby family – steeped in Midlands pointing – to make the headlines, following parents Annabel and Ashley, and uncle Chris. She made her riding debut last season and gained her first success – on Precious Bounty – at Badbury Rings on 20th November, on her seventh outing. Jake Exelby spoke to her afterwards about her background, racing career to date and future plans.
Where are you from and where do you live now?
I’m from Oakham, in Rutland, but now live in Notting Hill in London, where I’m Executive Assistant at a Private Equity firm called TAG Infrastructure, who deal in digital infrastructure and energy transactions! Working in London, it’s difficult to stay fit for riding, but I go to the gym every day and ride out on Fridays and Saturdays at Nicky Henderson’s.
Talk me through your career in racing so far
During lockdown, I was at home after finishing a degree in biology at Newcastle University. I saw that (local trainer) Laura Morgan needed staff and was keen to work for her. Dad wasn’t – he said I’d get bucked off and injured (!) – but I went anyway, and it got me going and gave me the bug. I’m friends with George Daly, who was assistant to Nicky Henderson, which is how I started riding out there and – after I got the hang of not being run away with – I told Dad I’d love to ride in a point-to-point. He really enjoys training – we do it in an agricultural way and it’s much more fun doing it on the family farm, although we often go schooling and galloping on the Newmarket Links.
How did you get into point-to-pointing in the first place?
At 26, I’m quite old to be starting out in points and it took me a while to have my first ride. Being in London didn’t help, but this job is a four-day week, which gives me an extra day to ride. Jim Culloty, who’s a good friend of ours, had bought Due Reward from Kelly Morgan and lent him to my boyfriend (leading flat jockey Rob Hornby) for the Melton Hunt Ride. They parted company and the horse ended up in a canal, but Dad thought there was still life in him as a pointer and said we should buy him.
Talk me through your first ride
It was at Higham on Good Friday and didn’t go well, to be honest. We were always behind, and I came off him two out. I think we hadn’t schooled enough!
Talk me through your first win
Precious Bounty also came from Kelly Morgan. Her owner-rider Ellie Callwood – who’s been really helpful to me – no longer needed a schoolmaster as she had other horses to ride, so we bought him after they’d finished second at Dingley. I wasn’t expecting to win but was glad we’d been to Knightwick first, where he was a bit of a monkey and didn’t like the ground. I was a lot more determined at Badbury Rings and we made all because I didn’t want to stop him when he was going downhill – I knew he’d keep going on the second circuit – and he jumped beautifully on the better ground. I couldn’t believe he was so far clear and was worried about his 5lb penalty, but he didn’t mind it at all.
What are your plans for the rest of the season?
We’ll probably go to Larkhill in mid-December, then anywhere with good ground. We also have a maiden – Easy Rider – who came from Nicky Henderson and I’m looking forward to riding him. Sam Lee rode him first time out at Knightwick.
Which has been your favourite horse other that those you’ve ridden in races?
My godfather is Nick Wright (who trains pointers near Newmarket). He had a good horse called It Was Me, who was given to us when he retired. I hunted and team chased him, and he was my favourite horse in the whole world.
Which horse (not one of your own mounts) would you most like to ride?
Kelly Morgan’s Bothwell Bridge. But I know I’m never going to get that ride!
Which other jockeys do you admire?
Izzie Hill has always been very nice. She gave me a big hug after my first ride.
What's your favourite course?
My local tracks are Garthorpe and Dingley, but I didn’t ride there in my first season. I really enjoyed Fakenham, as did ‘Wilf’ (Due Reward), where we finished third.
What do you enjoy most about pointing?
I grew up hunting and doing pony club and it’s such a different way of riding – it’s addictive and makes me want to get better. I’m lucky to have a schoolmaster to help me improve.
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
I’d have more races for female riders with lighter weights. It was crazy (carrying 12st 5lbs) at Badbury Rings – my saddle and weight cloth were so heavy, I could barely lift them off the horse. Race framing seems to be aimed at men, and you ride less effectively when you’re carrying more dead weight.
What are your non-horsey hobbies?
I’m obsessed with skiing. I did a season at Val d’Isere after I left school and am going to Verbier in January.
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