Interview with Harrison Shaw

Harrison Shaw is a 25-year-old, flat jockey based in the North of England. After losing his apprentice claim a year ago he has since become the stable jockey to Declan Carroll and regularly rides for Karl Burke and Bryan Smart among others.

Harrison first interacted with horses when his dad bought his younger sister a pony, "I got involved through the pony and then I went show jumping. I was show jumping against Amy Ryan and she told me to go into her dad's yard and give it a go", he said. His career started very quickly after this he went straight from finishing his A-levels to trying to get his apprentice license.

He's had an allergy to animals his entire life and this comes out like eczema in hives, watering eyes and red skin. His parents helped him get onto a medical trial with about five other people for a new drug. This amazingly worked. He said: "Everything else I tried medically didn't work until this. I get an injection regularly and it reduces my allergy symptoms from what was 90% to now below 20%. I wouldn't be able to be a jockey without it."

Harrison with Ireland's Eye 

Like many jockeys, Harrison often has to make low weights, his lowest in the last 12 months has been eight stone four, when he gets a cheat day he either has a Chinese takeaway or steak and chips. Commenting on these low weights, he says: "I don’t struggle with the weights but I could make it easier for myself. I like food too much and would rather eat and go for a jog to lose weight on the course than starve myself and be weak when riding." He praised his boss Declan Carroll for being understanding about the challenges jockeys can sometimes face making the of weight. Adding that Carroll would never push his limits.

One of the main horses Harrison has a buzz about for next season is Tweet Tweet her impressive wins at York, Haydock and Thirsk have shown her quick turn of pace. He feels confident about her getting black type in the future. He maintains the view that she is one to watch out for! 

Harrisons next ride is at Southwell on Friday on Sir Sedric, who won last time out. We wish him luck and a safe ride. 

Nottingham Races

The soft ground saw some non-runners. There was also a double on the day for Tom Marquand and David Egan, paired with outsiders winning made for an interesting race card. It is, however, always a shame that Nottingham Racecourse itself struggles with staffing issues and food shortages. 

In the 3:40 the big field made it tough to decide who was going to win. In the early stages, Gweedore took keen hold of the race but after two furlongs Larado took the lead. This left Arthur's Realm, Rogue Bear and War Defender chasing. From under four furlongs out headway was made by Masked Identity with Eloquent Arthur. Gweedore struggled from this point onwards. Three furlongs out headway was made by Rogue Bear. One furlong out Rogue Bear was ridden to lead disputing with Larado. Eloquent Arthur was finding it tough to get into the places. In the final stages of the race, Masked Identity went narrowly clear of Larado. First Rogue Bear 14/1 by 2 1/4 lengths- this win was very easy and I expect an interesting race next time out. The second was Masked Identity by a nose and the third was Larado by 2 1/4 lengths. 

The fifth race was a class three handicap, this was the second part of David Egan's double. Sharvara led with Typewriter, Sanitiser and New Pursuit close behind. Sharvara dominated for the majority of the race, leading the bunch until three furlong out. Then, New Pursuit and Typewriter were pushed along. Despite Sanitiser's efforts, he lost his place and struggled to maintain his place in the field. With one furlong left Sharvara lost the lead to Typewriter. In the closing stages, there was no catching of Typewriter. Implore did show a weak challenge. The rest of the field was far back. First was Typewriter by 2 lengths, second Implore by 7 lengths and third was New Pursuit by 3 lengths. Personally, Implore was the most impressive in the closing stages. However, I think Martin Harley left it too late, showing off the colts quick turn of foot but still not quite getting there. 

I'm not sure when my next blog will be but keep watching my Twitter for updates.

Leicester Races

The heavy showers had the ground going to good. This led to a few horses being withdrawn. It was no day for betting with four favourites being placed and little value in the winners apart from Katie's Kitten. This filly is quickly becoming a course specialist despite rising in the weights. There was also a double on the night for Trevor Whelan and Roger Charlton. 

The second race was a selling race which ended up with the winner being bought back in for £18,000. This race had Red October showing some pace, the gelding was away quickly followed by Aboard The Beagle. The midfield horses were Barbarosa and Twiggys Pride. After the first furlong Aboard The Beagle took over the lead and at two furlongs out Decora joined the two front runners Red October and Aboard The Beagle. Two furlongs to go and Red October was going strong matching Aboard The Beagle's pace. However, in the closing stages Red October steamed ahead even after being eased up he went on to win by 7 lengths. The second was Aboard The Beagle by 3 1/4 lengths to third place Decora. This was the most impressive finish of the evening. 

The penultimate race had Waleyfa lead closely followed by Subtle Beauty, Breakaway and Enchanted Night. Slowly away were Wild Rhythm and Ratafia. A few in the field were quickly outpaced and struggling. At five furlongs out Wild Rhythm had moved up the field and pressed the leaders. With two to go Waleyfa was being ridden hard like Wild Rhythm. Subtle Beauty was close up and went second again. But when Callum Shepherd pushed the button one furlong out Subtle Beauty led again and couldn't be caught by the chasing pair of Waleyfa and Wild Rhythm. Waleyfa kept on well to finish second by 2 lengths to Subtle Beauty. The third was Wild Rhythm by 1 1/2 lengths. 

Hopefully, more race meeting reviews soon. In the meantime, I will be enjoying the racing from Glorious Goodwood. 

Royal Ascot tips day two

 After a mixed day yesterday with two 1sts, a 25/1 third with Vintage Clarets and some duck eggs I hope I have a better day today. 

2:30 Desert Dreamer 

3:05 Dancing King 

3:40 Queen Power 

4:20 Love 

5:00 Not sure 

5:35 Dig Two or e/w Spring Is Sprung 

6:10 Not sure 

Fingers crossed we have some winners. 

Royal Ascot tips day 1

 With Royal Ascot once again upon us, these are my picks for day one. 

2:30 Palace Power and Top Rank E/W 

3:05 Vintage Clarets E/W 

3:40 Oxted and Liberty Beach E/W 

4:20 Naamoos 

5:00 I can't back against Rachael Blackmore- Cape Gentleman 

5: 35 Not sure 

6:10 Throne Hall 

Good luck to everyone betting on Royal Ascot and I hope all jockeys and horses get back safe.  

Cheltenham's Final day Tips

 There's been some good racing this week, let's hope that the final day gives some more excitement and hopefully a few surprises. I'm looking forward to the Gold Cup very much and I think it will be excited. 

1:20- For a bet to win I would pick Tritonic. But as an outsider I have to go for the 50/1 shot Talking About You. 

1:55- As an each way bet I'd have to go for Petit Mouchoir with weight being taken out by using the 7lb claimer, this will only be to the horses advantage. I also really like Champagne Gold, it's really hard to bet against Rachael Blackmore after her form this week. 

2:30- Here I have the 16/1 shot that has come in from 25/1 from Paul Nicholls yard- Threeundertrufive. But favourite Stattler will be hard to beat. 

3:05- I hope that Al Boum Photo continues his winning streak from last year. However, Champ does have a fair shot.  

3:40- Chameron although he's not close in the betting has a chance of being placed alongside Salvatore.  

4:15- I think the favourite Elimay will be a tough one to beat but I can't offer any outsiders for a worthwhile bet. 

4:50- I would love to see a female jockey win here- this being either Page Fuller on First Lord De Cuet or Millie Wonnacott with Fabulous Saga. But again here I am not too sure. 

Chelts picks Wednesday and Thursday

 These are my Chelts day two and three picks- again we have some small fields but I'm sure that there will be some exciting races. The ground has gone even softer which I'm sure will benefit some horses. For Wednesday and Thursday I do not have picks for every race, however I do have horses who do not think will win. 

1:20- In this I find it hard to see Bob Olinger getting beaten. Team of Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore should put up a great competition on day two. I clearly see Rachael at least winning one race this Cheltenham. 

1:55- Again this is a race for the favourite's Monkfish is going to into this off strong form and near perfect performances. But this does make it bad for betting. 

2:30- For this I do have an outsider he's a 16/1 shot- Thomas Derby. A recent dip in form shouldn't count him out and I do see him being placed. To strengthen his chance he is a course winner.  

3:05- Politologue for me is a no brainer in this race everything seems to me is in his favour and I am very confident that he will be placed. 

3:40- In this race I'm not too sure on what the winner will be but I can only say that I do NOT think that Tiger Roll will win. His recent form has been anything but great- this makes me less than confident in him. But I do think it will be an interesting race to see if he has his normal skill back. 

4:15- Again in this race I'm not sure it seems like a narrow race between the two swirling favourites of Sky Pirate and Embittered. In this race I can see there being an upset to the the favourites. 

4:50- Super Six is a fairly big outsider but the lower weight should work in his favour. The ground will be getting sticky at this point which shouldn't bother him. 

Thursday- This is the edited version due to horses being pulled. 

1:20- Envoi Allen doesn't look beatable here but the odds aren't for betting. 

1:55- There's two horses in this that I am really surprised by their odds. I think Champagne Platinum and Brinkley both have a shout in this race. The bigger field means that both these horses can get cover and more surprise outcomes will happen. 

2:30- Min should be tough to beat but as an outsider I would go for Kalashnikov. He will give you a nice each way bet. 

3:05- I have a good feeling about Flooring Partner who should benefit from the ground changing form and by this point a little bit tacky.  

3:40- I think Two Taffs will be a wild card this year. His form and distance wins only add to my belief he will be placed. Here the Shunter should be hard to beat ultimately.

4:15- My picks for this one seem a big peculiar being Allavina but this is alongside second favourite Roseys Hollow.   

4:50- Again I'm not too sure here nothing is screaming out to me in this- not a betting one for me. 

My Cheltenham Day One picks

 On the first day of Cheltenham the fields have me rather disappointed. There's a desire to increase the number of races but there's races with only six horses in. It's not as exciting as normal but it doesn't mean the quality of horses and the racing isn't top notch. 

1:20 - For me it really is a two horse race being between Appreciate It and Ballyadam. These two have great form and even love the ground. I think this will give the audience a Supreme Novices' Hurdle to remember. 

1:55- For me I struggle to contemplate Shishkin not winning this. The betting isn't great with Shishkin but the odds show how strong of a competitor he is. 

14:30- In this I have picked out a wild card, this bet is an outsider. Vintage Clouds has reasonable form on this ground. Also after a recent wind surgery he seems to have picked up his form and after his prior wind op the performances picked up. My other pick would be Alnadam for the Skelton partnership. The softer ground should be in his favour. 

15:05- It seems like Goshen and Honeysuckle will both be near favourites and they will pose a huge threat to the rest of the field and will be hard to beat. For an outside bet Sharjah from Willie Mullins yard. This horse should suit the ground and the distance and I think the two favourites will set the pace Sharjah needs to come through horses to win. 

15:40- Here I think that My Sister Sarah really has an opportunity, it's clear that the distance won't be a problem for her. Her trainer Willie Mullins has notorious form in the Mare's Hurdle and I think it will be one of his mares to win this year too. 

16:15- Balko Saint not only has the form, he has also performed well at Chelts before, this little bit of experience on the track is only to his advantage. Houx Gris might go favourite but has more than a fair chance with consistent form and you can't go far wrong having Harry Cobden riding.

16:50- I have two picks here Remastered and Soldier Of Love both of these are outsiders so could easily be each way bets. Remastered should do well as long as he can finish strong and Soldier Of Love has the jockey-training combination of Paul Nicholls and Bryony Frost- they will be tough to beat.  

Have any picks that you think I should know about let me know! 

Impressive Female Flat Jockey's

 Reflecting on the last season and seeing as the Lincoln is less than 40 days away (I'm very excited already), I decided to look at some of the current female jockey's that have or are going to change the racing game. 

Hollie Doyle - She is changing the game for so many positive reasons. Last season she continued breaking records having the most wins by a female jockey in a season, had a 15% strike rate, alongside Championship day wins and a five-timer at Kempton. These are feats not achieved by many. Alongside this, she continues to push the boundaries of racing and is bring it to a whole new platform being placed third at the Sports Personality of the Year awards. For this next season, I can only see her extending her accomplishments. 

Hayley Turner- She was the first female champion apprentice in 2005 and a first female jockey to ride at the Dubai World Cup in 2012. Often Turner is deemed to be a jockey who has paved the way for many other females. 

Laura Pearson- A 5lb claiming apprentice who since changing her agent has taken the racing world by storm. Currently, she is having a two-month break ahead of the up-and-coming season. She already has had a 21% strike rate. I can see a bright future for this apprentice and perhaps Pearson even becoming Champion Apprentice. 

Joanna Mason- Another 5lb claimer before taking her apprentice license out, she had much success as an amateur jockey and she even took the title alongside Serena Brotherton in 2015. This has stood her in good stead with lots of knowledge on race-riding, this shows in her riding.  

Georgia Dobie- She is another apprentice (5lb claim) who has caught my eye with a 14% strike rate last year and her nomination in the Lester's apprentice jockey of the year award in which she narrowly lost out in taking the prize. Having experience riding abroad in Australia this can be seen in her riding ability and her strength in the final furlongs.

Saffie Osborne- In 2020 she suffered what appeared to be a bad fall in which she broke her arm and some ribs. Before this she was beginning to make a big name for herself having an 11% strike rate, this comes after she has competed internationally and nationally in youth eventing. Her father Jamie Osborne has given her a grounding in racing and I think she has much more to show already being an accomplished rider. I am excited to see what wins she will produce next season. 

Are there any up-and-coming jockeys I should know about? Let me know in the comments or tweet.