Stories from the Saddle: Paddy Barlow

Paddy Barlow, in his final year of veterinary studies at Nottingham University, got off the mark for the season at Badbury Rings on Sunday on Go Sacre Go, running in the colours of his late great-aunt Annie Tory. Originally from Cheshire, Paddy is from a point-to-point dynasty on both sides of his family.

Paddy wins on Go Sacre Go at Badbury Rings (Tim Holt)

With, by his own reckoning, 112 rides for 44 different yards last season under rules and between the flags, Paddy epitomises the “have saddle, will travel” attitude employed by so many point-to-point jockeys nowadays. Jake Exelbyspoke to him after his win to find out more about the 23-year-old, how he combines his studies with riding, and why he’s so keen to promote British pointing success to the wider racing community.

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

I grew up hunting and going to pony club and started pony racing aged 12 – my first horse came from Beeston market and only my middle brother Archie won on it. He’s got a 100% record, as he never race-rode again – he did a lot of eventing. (Paddy’s youngest brother Felix has followed him into pointing, with three wins so far).

I was then given a pony – Irish Joker – by the Ruckers. He was a champion in the 13.2 hands category, but got remeasured to 14.1 and couldn’t win! We then bought one – Tiny Dancer – from Ireland. He was only £800 – I think the journey cost more – and was hard as nails. He’s still going aged 18, and won at Cocklebarrow in January.

Going back through your career, talk me through your first ride… and your first win.

I was going to start pointing a season earlier, but tore my ACL and broke my leg.

As a teenager, I used to ride out for Gary Hanmer. I had my first ride on a horse he used to have called Western Promise at Eaton Hall in Herefordshire. It was the only meeting at the track.

The next year, I got Cotton Rock, who taught me plenty. He’d been a close second to Dubai Quest in Ireland. It took me nearly three years to ride by first winner on him – at Sheriff Hutton – because Covid happened. I should probably have won more on him, but I was young and green!

You’re quite self-deprecating about your early days in the saddle. How did your riding improve?

When I was 16, I went to work for Jessie Harrington in Ireland – she was a phenomenal person to work for, the best boss I could have.

During Covid, I travelled horses for her, and was riding the likes of Alpine Star. Riding Group One winners and Classic contenders was great.

Then I rode a lot in Jersey, which helped tighten up my style.

Your career really got going thanks to 2022/2023 champion horse, Cullin Hills. Tell me about your association with her.

Paddy and Cullin Hills return in triumph at Hornby Castle (Tom Milburn)

When I was at university, I’d started riding out for Laura and Kelly Morgan and Jon Barlow. I was going up to Duncombe Park for two rides for Jon and they split the Maiden. I got a message from Will Milburn asking me to ride Cullin Hills, who’d ran out into the trees at Sheriff Hutton. She hung all the way round and did the same again, but I’m convinced I’d have won – people probably thought, “He’s a silly little kid who doesn’t know anything!”

Paddy en route to success on Caballo Diablo for Jon Barlow (Neale Blackburn)

I rode a winner – Hilltown – for Seamus Mullins at Larkhill, then went to Charm Park and rode Cullin Hills again. She bolted up, winning by the length of the run-in. It spiralled from there and, without Will and her, I wouldn’t have ridden as many winners.

She didn’t win again that season – she kept trying to run into the trees again as she had no steering – but I thought she was a nice horse and the next year, when she was leading horse, she liked the wet ground.

You’re from ‘pointing royalty’ on both sides of the family – the Cheshire Barlows and the Dorset Torys. Can you give me a simple family tree?!

My mum, known as ‘Mouse’ and my dad, Charles, both rode. My uncle is Anthony Tory, who rode the likes of Docklands Express and Kings Fountain for Kim Bailey – he’s a horse dentist now.

My grandfather on dad’s side, John, rode, as did my mum’s father, Michael. He rode the most winners of anyone in my direct family – over 100 in points and under rules as an amateur, and rode in a couple of Grand Nationals. Then my great-uncle, Annie’s husband Percy, rode Four Ten before he went on to win the Gold Cup.

On Sunday, you won on Go Sacre Go for your late great-aunt, Annie Tory. Tell me about your emotions.

It was amazing. He’s a three-quarters brother to Sprinter Sacre. I’d never ridden for Annie or Sally before – although I’ve had rides for Rob Walford, Sally’s son-in-law. Indeed, I’d never ridden for relatives on Mum’s side of the family – I guess I had to prove myself! Percy also made it to the races, and it was the last time Annie’s colours will be worn. I’d never seen my grandfather cry before!

What has been your career highlight?

Winning at Cheltenham this year on Crawter for (owner) Stan Rawlins and (trainer) Harriet Waight. I’d never ridden for them before, but Harriet trains near Seamus, and Stan has horses with them. I’d watched the videos of him winning his points and knew he jumped right but, on the day, it looked worse than it was. I kept creeping away, winged the fence after the final ditch and – turning for home – I knew I’d win if I jumped the last well.

No jumping right here! Paddy and Crawter win the Intermediate Final aty Cheltenham (Neale Blackburn)

Even though Cullin Hills just got done (beaten a short-head in the Mares Hunter Chase), it was a great day.

Last season was relatively quiet compared to the three previous campaigns. Why do you think that was?

I was studying harder and turning down rides but there was nothing specific. Little things didn’t happen, I rode the wrong horse a few times, but I had a good season under rules with five winners.

You’re a rare example of a leading jockey who doesn’t work in racing full-time. How do you combine your studies with riding out and race-riding?

I probably don’t do enough studying, as I had to repeat a year! I keep fit, do a lot of running and have been lucky to get on the right horses at the right time. It might change next year when I’m qualified.

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

Latenightpass, trained by Tom Ellis. What a story. A home-bred, trained by the owner-breeder’s son and ridden by her daughter-in-law (Gina Andrews), who took a long time to win his first race, then won the Aintree Foxhunters and a cross-country race at Cheltenham. He’s a bonny little horse – I like small horses – and I love riding in cross-country races in Europe.

Connections with Latenightpass after his Aintree victory (David Simpson)

Which other jockeys do you admire?

John Dawson and Dale Peters. They’re both old fashioned horsemen and great riders, who don’t say a lot but – when they talk – you listen! John’s good at riding a waiting race and Dale’s a top judge of pace and fractions. They’re also good trainers – it’s difficult to do both well.

John Dawson - great horseman (Caroline Exelby)

What's your favourite course?

Brocklesby Park – I wish they had more meetings there. It’s a big, galloping track, with big fences that have a lovely belly. The ground’s normally OK and the best horse usually wins.

Brocklesby Park - Paddy's favourite track (Graham Fisher)

Who will you mostly be riding for this season?

I’ll be here, there and everywhere! For Rory Bevin and Will Milburn in the North, Andrew Pennock and Ed Turner in East Anglia and Jon Barlow and Mark Walford under rules.

Paddy on Trojan Du Berlais for Andrew Pennock (Graham Bishop)

What are your ambitions in pointing and racing?

I’d like to get rides at the Cheltenham Festival and in the Aintree Foxhunters, but they’re bloody hard to find!

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

I like some of what the PPA are doing, bringing more young people into the sport, but they could also take advice from people who’ve been in the sport a long time. It’s important to communicate with experienced people.

You set up the GB Pointers social media page to highlight ex-pointers running under rules and to showcase ‘sales horses’. How did that come about?

I was watching the racing one Sunday and Touch Me Not and Kalypso’chance – both former British pointers – won at Punchestown and were fancied for the Festival, but there was no promotion. Something needed to be done, and it gained traction quite quickly.

British pointers weren’t making the same money at the sales as the Irish, but many of them were just as good. People are starting to cotton on now – I was talking to (top Irish jockeys) Barry O’Neill and Derek O’Connor and they knew that Charm Park (in May) held one of the best Young Horse Maidens. They wouldn’t have known that previously.

Young Horse Maiden at Charm Park - always a hot race (Tom Milburn)

Do you have time for any non-horsey hobbies?

I do a lot of running – I used to race for Shropshire at cross-country.

And I play cricket – very badly – for Will Easterby’s team – Habton Seconds – in Yorkshire, with Will, his brother Tom and (fellow jockey) Joe Wright.

Paddy Barlow is sponsored by Baker McVeigh veterinary practice this season.