One of Britain's most successful amateur riders chalked up another milestone at the weekend.
Sam Waley-Cohen rode his 100th point-to-point winner when partnering Igor to success in the mixed open race at Larkhill in Wiltshire, and later reflected on his enduring passion for race riding.
Twenty-one years after his first victory, Waley-Cohen, 39, said: "I knew a century was in sight, but it wasn't in my mind when I went out for the ride on Sunday. It was very foggy, but clear enough to see the winning post and he did it well. We had a little celebration back at the lorry – it's always hard to win at Larkhill, and even better to do it on a home-bred."
Waley-Cohen's success in the saddle has been formed around his father's passion for racing. Robert Waley-Cohen was a successful amateur rider who went on to hold numerous official positions within racing and point-to-pointing, and who has bred, owned or trained hundreds of winners. When his son turned 16 he bought him a schoolmaster named Wishing William and at Mollington in 2000 Sam rode his first winner on the horse.
Reflecting on that win, Sam said: "The horse looked after me. A lot of friends came from school to watch and there was a camera crew because at that time some point-to-pointing was being shown on television. I was interviewed after the race. It felt like a big occasion.
"We've been doing this a long time now – it seems hard to believe that Olive Nicholls, who was in the same race as me at Larkhill, wasn't born when I rode my first Cheltenham Festival winner.
"I must admit I was quite revved up for the race [at Larkhill]. He was giving a good feeling at home and we'd love to think he could become a hunter chaser – he's got to build on what he's done so far, but he did it well. He's been entered for Chaddesley Corbett [next Tuesday] and might run there next.
"I still enjoy riding in races, and I suppose getting on nice horses helps. I have no issues with weight, and I love riding horses with ability that know what they're doing. Experienced older chasers can give you such a thrill. If I was offered a ride on a four-year-old filly in a maiden race I'd probably take it, although that might not be the cleverest decision I'll ever make."
One hundred winners is a common enough occurrence in modern-era point-to-pointing, but when you consider Waley-Cohen has also won a Cheltenham Gold Cup and two King George VI Chases on Long Run, has ridden three Cheltenham Festival winners and won seven races over Aintree's Grand National fences, his overall record is second to none. There is also the small matter of a Grand National second and fourth on Oscar Time, while last season he rode out his claim against professional jockeys.
He has yet to win Cheltenham's Festival Hunters' Chase, but his CV includes three winners of Aintree's Foxhunters' Chase, twice on Katarino and once on Warne, and a trio of successes in Stratford's Champion Hunters' Chase by courtesy of Roulez Cool, Paint The Clouds and Wonderful Charm.