Covid lockdowns impacted people in a multitude of ways, but for Marina Bealby they led to the thrill of riding in point-to-points and a title chasing battle that went to the wire.
On the final day of the latest season Bealby journeyed to Chaddesley Corbett in Worcestershire, level with Clara Brewitt on seven wins at the head of the Highflyer Bloodstock-sponsored novice women’s championship. Brewitt held the advantage of more placed finishes, and when Bealby’s sole ride, Precious Bounty, finished second in the ladies’ open race her rival gained the crown. The vanquished was philosophical in defeat.
Point-to-pointing takes pleasure in being open to all, but at 27 Bealby came to novice title contention later than most. Now a London-based executive assistant to a New York-based private equity firm, she became marooned at her family’s house in Rutland when in March 2020 the order to ‘stay at home’ was broadcast. Restrictions created by the lockdown allowed for work to continue if it involved the care of animals, and so she started riding out for local trainer Laura Morgan.
Her father, Ashley, a former amateur rider, clerk of the course and BHA steward’s secretary, questioned the decision, stating “you’re going to hurt yourself – you’ll get bucked off or something”, a reasonable assessment given that his daughter had never ridden a racehorse in training. Pony Club eventing, hunting and team chasing had been her diet of equine sport to that point.
Marina Bealby with her father, Ashley, who trains Precious Bounty and Due Reward (Lou Siggers)
Bealby says: “Dad loved his pointing, and so from riding out for the Morgans and then going to point-to-points I decided I wanted to have a go.” A schoolmaster trained by Ashley was acquired, ran once under another rider, but went wrong and did not race again. Then Due Reward (pictured top of the page) entered the picture, initially giving Bealby’s boyfriend, Flat jockey Rob Hornby, a memorable spin until unseating in the Melton Hunt Ride.
Turning to pointing he gave Bealby a debut ride at Higham in March last year – adding a U to his form, although in his defence she says, “I rode like a muppett” – and then a couple of places to end the season, by which time another handy horse, Precious Bounty, had been bought out of Kelly Morgan’s stable giving the Bealbys a two-pronged attack for the 2024/25 season.
What a pair they proved, with Due Reward winning twice – his rider says: “My favourite win last season was on him at Higham; he so wanted to win,” – and Precious Bounty scoring no fewer than five times in the colours of the rider’s mum, Annabel. He also gave the novice jockey a first win when triumphing at Badbury Rings in November. “It was quite surreal,” she says. “We weren’t expecting to make the running, but when the flag dropped I gave him a little kick and he took off. We were a fence clear – the others thought we’d come back to them, but he kept going.”
Now an 11-year-old, Precious Bounty is a superb schoolmaster. He provided Ellie Callwood with her first success and has gone on to run in 34 point-to-points or hunters’ chases, winning 13, being placed in 14 and never falling or unseating. Feisty when in the mood Bealby says of him: “He’s bitten dad a few times, and he kicked me at Peper Harow. He’s a phenomenal jumper, particularly on quick ground, and he’s nimble and clever. He can get in close to a fence, right on the toe board, and not lose any ground.”
Precious Bounty, a quick and nimble jumper with a feisty streak (Lou Siggers)
With those qualities he seemed likely to clinch Bealby the title, but an unexpected blunder at Chaddesley Corbett’s 12th fence changed the face of the race. Bealby says: “I don’t know what happened, but Gina [Andrews, who rode the winner, Missed Tee] said ‘I don’t know how you sat that’. He seemed fine, and we kept going to finish second, but as we pulled up he gave a little noise and I guessed something was wrong.”
Precious Bounty had struck into himself, but within less than 30 minutes was at an equine hospital where an overreach was scanned and found to have skinned, but not cut the tendon sheath. Now on box rest he is expected to be back in action next season, and since he loves quick ground there is no need for a rushed return.
Meanwhile, her father has acquired two more horses, with Somptueux, a double winner for Tommy Morgan last season, being joined by seven-year-old maiden Zmiinyi from Kim Bailey's and Mat Nicholls' stable. Zmiinyi has placed form in handicap chases.
Summing up her season, Bealby says: “It’s quite a thrill riding good jumpers on quick ground. We were lucky to have two horses that could go on it. I learned a lot, particularly about riding older horses. They can be wise about when to go, and [initially] I assumed they were getting tired. I was so soft.”
Now there are new challenges, and as Bealby says: “The [likely] rule changes mean that I will be a novice again next season. Claiming 5lb, particularly on small horses, is quite handy.”