One of point-to-pointing’s finest riders heads into retirement tomorrow following the meeting at Umberleigh in North Devon.
Darren Edwards, who rode in his first race in 2000, is set for two, but maybe three rides at the fixture, which is the final one before point-to-pointing heads into recess until November. A healthy 86 entries have been received, well ahead of last year’s figure, but following a trend set during a season in which waterlogged/abandoned meetings have resulted in good support for fixtures which managed to go ahead.
Secretary Heather Parr says: “The entry number is amazing. The season has played in our favour, but we are very grateful to everyone who has supported us.”
Edwards, who could nail the Devon & Cornwall leading male jockey award – he is two points behind Josh Newman and one adrift of Will Biddick – says: “There seems to be a fashion to try and make your final ride a winner, but I’d be grateful for a winner in any race. I expect to ride two for Dean [Summersby] – Lakota Warrior in the first race and Dorrells Pierji in the mixed open [both are top-rated] while Jet Smart is going to be put on the lorry and a decision about running made on the day.”
Darren Edwards, in race-riding action for the final time tomorrow (Ce)
No rider at tomorrow’s meeting has been more dominant in recent months than Ed Vaughan, 16, who recently won the national novice men’s championship sponsored by Highflyer Bloodstock. He also finished third in the senior men’s title race behind James King and Will Biddick, and could ride in four races tomorrow.
Vaughan, who is assured of the leading novice jockey award in Devon & Cornwall, has since moved on to 30 winners and needs one more to set a new high for victories by a novice in a calendar season. He currently shares that with his fellow Welsh countryman, James Bowen, who was also 16 when setting the record in 2017.
Anna Johnston, who took the Highflyer Bloodstock novice women’s award, is also looking good to be crowned senior and novice women’s champion in D&C – she is jocked up to ride the Leslie Jefford-trained Templier D’Habert in one of two races.
Umberleigh, Devon, EX37 9EB – first race 2.00. 6 races, 86 entries
*An interview with Darren Edwards, rider, Cheltenham Festival winner and Point-to-Point Authority Board member, will be published on this website next week.