James King and Izzie Marshall became Britain’s national champion point-to-point riders when the 2023/24 season ended yesterday.
King (pictured above with Marshall) rode 49 winners and had looked assured of the title for some weeks, but it took until the final day – and a winner at Chaddesley Corbett – before Marshall could finally fend off the challenge of ten-time champion Gina Andrews. They finished on scores of 24 and 21.
The outgoing champion was magnanimous in defeat, and said: “I’ve been defeated and fair play to Izzie. She’s been snapping at my heels for a long time now and she deserves it. She rides a lot of winners and I’m pleased for her. I just said to her ‘Thank God that’s over’. It’s been tough for the past six weeks, because neither of us wanted the other one to ride a winner – normally we smile and say well done.”
Ten-time champion Gina Andrews: 'Fair play to Izzie'
Andrews is about to spend a week showjumping at Hickstead followed by a holiday with husband Tom Ellis and friends in the USA.
Marshall can now concentrate on plans for her wedding to Joe Hill and a honeymoon in Greece. Not long after that her brother Charlie marries trainer Hannah Clarke. Marshall said: “I can’t quite believe it. After the third-last race someone said you’ve done it – you can’t be beaten, but I still didn’t quite believe it until after the final race had been run. I feel very lucky, but it hasn’t sunk in.
“Gina is the ultimate competitor, but the ultimate role model, too. I couldn’t ask for a better friend in the weighing room. I look up to her. After the final race we had a big hug and agreed we were glad it’s over – we were laughing and joking. I’m so pleased it’s been won fairly and squarely and no one has fallen out.
“Gina has had her mind on other things this season, like the Grand National and so on, but she’s still a tough competitor and brilliant.”
Izzie Marshall in action at Chaddesley Corbett on Bank Holiday Monday
King said of his third championship: “I’m so grateful for the help and support I’ve had all season. Owners and trainers have travelled horses the length and breadth of the country and they deserve as much credit for this as I do. Without their support and their horses I wouldn’t be in this position. I got off to a very good start and I’ve ridden for 27 or 28 trainers, which was quite an achievement.
“It’s always the aim to ride well and ride winners and we’ll see if there is another title next season, but it might be a bit more difficult with [Max[ Comley taking out a licence.”
At Upcott Cross trainer Josh Newman took the chequered flag for yards with 15 or more horses. He trained a double to take his season’s score to 28 which gained him a first national trainers’ championship. Nearest pursuers Alan Hill (25) and Max Comley (22) capped very good seasons by saddling a winner each at Chaddesley Corbett.
Anna Johnston failed to add to her score of four wins with a single ride at Upcott Cross, but she took the Highflyer Bloodstock leading novice women’s title by virtue of more placings than runner-up Natasha Cookson, while Grace A Vous Enki did not leave the yard of trainer Nickie Sheppard yet with six victories still won the Connolly’s RED MILLS leading horse title.
Full reports from Chaddesley Corbett and Upcott Cross to come . . .