19-year-old Chloe East (right, in red and yellow) rode her first winner – on only her fifth ride – at Didmarton earlier in the month on former useful chaser Cobra De Mai. In the first of a new series of Pointing People, featuring newcomers making their mark in the South Midlands Area, Jake Exelby spoke to Chloe to find out how she got into the sport and her plans for the rest of the season and beyond.
How did you get into point-to-pointing?
I’m from Nottingham originally and now live near Towcester. I started riding aged eight, at Blisworth Pony Club and got my first pony when I was ten. I started pony racing – I won two races, at Cheltenham and Garthorpe – so, when I got to 15, I wanted to start pointing, so we bought Allie Beag from Alan Hill, as a safe conveyance.
Chloe's first pointer, Allie Beag
My riding career was very stop-start due to Covid. I was working for Caroline Bailey at the time – I started riding out for her when I was at school – and I’ve learnt so much from her and her husband Gerald. She trained Cobra De Mai latterly under rules and said he’d be a good fun pointer, but also competitive. I’m so grateful to the Baileys.
I work for Billy Aprahamian now and we train Cobra De Mai at home in the village of Alderton. We do everything together, although my dad Ricky is the named trainer, and I couldn’t do it without my parents. Although Cobra De Mai is our only pointer, we’ve got four horses at home – two ex-racehorses, who do a bit of everything and who I’m hoping to team chase, and a pony.
Chloe and Mum Debbie with Cobra de Mai
How did you prepare for Didmarton?
Alderton is a quiet village, surrounded by gallops, and our routine is all about keeping Cobra De Mai happy, fresh and sweet. He does a lot of work on grass and set-aside and there’s an eight-mile ride through woods nearby, which is good for his stamina. Then we take him to Chris Loggin’s schooling fences at Hinton-in-the-Hedges and Laura Horsfall’s Glebe gallops. He doesn’t do too much of any one thing and enjoys himself so much.
I was so excited before Didmarton. When I walked the course, it was quite quick, so I knew it would be a good test of his fitness. We jumped off and he loved being out in front – he had his ears pricked all the way. I knew going down the hill for the final time that he was travelling well, and he didn’t miss a beat in his jumping – he did everything brilliantly.
I can’t describe how I felt afterwards – it was just amazing and unbelievable, especially as I’m not from a racing background.
Chloe on Cobra de Mai being led-up at Didmarton by her friend Emily (Alun Sedgmore)
What are your plans for the rest of the season?
The main plan is our Members race at Edgcote and I’d love to take out a Category A or B licence and go for a Hunter Chase later on.
Who’s inspired you most in pointing?
Everyone who’s successful and dedicated to the sport – the likes of the Ellises and the Postes.
Which jockeys do you most admire and why?
Definitely Gina Andrews for all the records she’s breaking – she’s brilliant.
Among the men, Tom Chatfeild-Roberts. Gerald trained a couple of his pointers when I was there, and he does it for himself but is really competitive. The family are lovely and deserve their success. He rode Go Go Geronimo in the Cheltenham Foxhunters last week.
(L-R) Trainer Kelly Morgan, groom Poppy Shaw and Tom Chatfeild-Roberts with Go Go Geronimo (Caroline Exelby)
Other than your own, who are your favourite horses?
Go Go Geronimo, obviously. I led him up when he was second at Cheltenham and Stratford last year.
Also, Early Retirement, who I hunted quite a bit. He was awesome, a lovely horse and so versatile. His results spoke for themselves – he could win over four miles, and also over two and a half.
What’s your favourite course?
After the other week, it would have to be Didmarton! But I haven’t ridden round many – I’ve just had five rides at four courses.
What do you love most about pointing?
It’s competitive, but fun and sociable at the same time.
Do you have a personal funniest moment?
Working in racing is always a laugh, but nothing specific.
What are your ambitions in the sport?
I have a real interest in training, but it takes a lot of hard work and knowledge. I want to work in the racing industry long-term, so want to learn more about running a yard.
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
It’s important that there’s a race for every horse, like the one we won at Didmarton, which was for a wider pool of riders. It’s great that there were 17 entries and eight runners – the biggest field of the day. Races like that allow horses to be competitive at their own level and cater for riders who aren’t from the bigger yards and bring pointing back to its roots.
I also like owner-trainer races – we entered the one at Charing that was abandoned. Races like that mean the people doing it all themselves stand more of a chance.
You can see from the number of spectators that the sport’s being run well, especially since Covid, when the authorities did an excellent job. Long may it continue.
What would you do to encourage more horses?
More races like those I’ve mentioned above will bring more horses and showcase that there’s a race for every horse. I think it would lead to an increase in Hunter Certificates as people with one horse might buy another, which would make them more competitive – I’d like to have a second pointer next season, which is something to look forward to.
What would you be doing if you weren’t working with horses?
I’ve never thought about working outside racing, even at school. I’m doing an apprenticeship with Haddon Training at the moment – Level Three Racehorse Care. My assessment’s at the beginning of April, which will open more doors. I’m then going to do a Business Admin course, which will give me the knowledge to become a racing secretary.
Do you have any hobbies outside racing?
Going out for a meal or to the pub with friends and family and going for walks with our dogs. But I put so much time into horses that I’m too busy to do much else!
Who are your favourite singers and TV programmes?
I like listening to Ed Sheeran and Post Malone. I mostly watch soap operas, particularly East Enders. I like Linda Carter, who runs the Queen Vic.
What’s your life ambition?
To enjoy what I do, be successful and achieve my targets.
Where is your dream holiday destination?
I’d love to go to Bora Bora – with its clear ocean, and to relax in one of those beach huts.
Who else should I do one of these features on?
Meisha Micklewright, who won her first Hunter Chase recently at Leicester. She’s really lovely and always happy to help. (Chloe will be pleased to know that I did a piece on Meisha, and her partner Tom Chatfeild-Roberts, last summer, which you can read here).