20-year-old Lexie New – who works for Sara Bradstock – has arrived on the pointing scene this season with three wins on Jaisalmer, including on the pair’s first appearance at Chaddesley Corbett.
The 11-year-old, known as Jeremy, is owned by Lexie’s great-grandfather Geoff, for whom her employer used to ride back in the 1980s! Jake Exelby talked to Lexie recently about her debut season… and baking.
How did you get into racing and point-to-pointing?
I’m from Faringdon in Oxfordshire, where I’ve lived all my life. I started riding as a toddler, sharing a Shetland pony with my brother and some friends – apparently, I used to cry and make a fuss when my parents tried to take me off him! I’ve always hunted – I started going to meets when I was two – and did tetrathlon for ten years from the age of eight. That and hunting were the main things in my life.
After I finished my A-levels, I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but some mutual friends said Sara was looking for someone, so I went to work for the Bradstocks, even though I’d never ridden a racehorse or been on a gallop.
I’ve learnt so much there. The first horse I sat on was their ex-pointer Damby’s Star. Sara told me to let him go whatever speed he wanted, but that he’d stop at the top of the gallop. He charged off with me but did stop! Now I ride Crawford, who (Sara’s daughter) Lily rode to win a point-to-point at Eyton-on-Severn recently.
Tell me about your great-grandfather, Geoff New
He’s 96 now, and I’m very close to him – he didn’t see my first win at Chaddesley Corbett, but he was at Andoversford and Peper Harow. He lives about 15 minutes away from me – he’s a dairy farmer who used to train and ride a few pointers. He only began race-riding in his late 30s and started on non-thoroughbreds – I’ve heard loads of stories about him racing… and falling off!
Lexie with Geoff and their trophy at Peper Harow
My grandparents – who are also farmers - or parents didn’t race-ride, so it skipped a few generations and I only got into it by chance, but they’ve always been involved with horses.
How did you get the ride on Jaisalmer?
He’s always been in the yard, and won hurdles under rules for (Sara’s husband, licenced trainer) Mark. His previous owner bought him for their son to ride and, when he retired, they gave him away. I rode him every day at home and was looking for a partner for pointing and he’s a proper schoolmaster – he knows what he’s doing.
Lexie exercising Jeremy on the beach during the cold snap
Talk me through your season together
I was very nervous before our first race because I didn’t know what to expect, having never done anything like that before – I didn’t pony race. The plan was to set off behind the leaders, but we were in front by the first and, though I was worried, Jeremy took control! Coming up the hill after the third last, I could hear the others slapping and kicking but I was still, so I knew we had a chance. I gave him a kick and he found more.
I was shocked and overwhelmed afterwards, but it was an amazing feeling. I was happy it all went so well, and a lot of my family were there.
We were going well at Chaddesley Corbett next time, and then later at Parham, when unseating. Falling off was annoying at the time but it teaches you, and I’m riding better now – I think I sit on him, and set him up for the fences, better.
When we were placed at Cocklebarrow and Kingston Blount, the ground was too firm for him – he likes some cut – and he loved the conditions at Andoversford and was on the bridle all the way round. When I walked Peper Harow, I thought it was tight, but Lily said it rides even tighter… and when we came round the first bend, we almost went into the stream! But he then channelled his inner gymkhana pony and dealt with the track really well – he’s not that big and just zipped round.
Lexie with Jeremy and Lily at Peper Harow
How have the Bradstocks helped you as a rider?
In my first year, I just led-up for them but I’d walk the course with them and listen when Sara and Lily talked through the race and learn about different tactics. It was Sara who first introduced the idea of me riding. Then Mark helped me on the Equicizer before we won at Andoversford – it just clicked in my brain after that!
It’s been a privilege to work for them and look after a horse like Kevin (Southfield Theatre). He loves what he does and I’m grateful to be working there when he’s around.
Lexie with Kevin and Lily at Tabley last season
What are your ambitions as a jockey?
Jeremy’s on holiday now but will hopefully come back next season. I’d love to get experience of riding different horses, but I’ve still got a lot to learn and he’s a good teacher. I’m not good at looking to the future at I don’t tend to plan. I knew I didn’t want to go to university to do a random course – the one thing I know I like is horses.
Which other jockeys do you most admire and why?
Molly Landau has been very nice. She was there when I had my first ride and I borrowed lead from her. She’s always been chatty and helpful, which is great when you’re nervous in your first season.
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
I’d encourage Clerks of the Course to give more accurate going descriptions. It’s difficult to find races for Good ground horses like Southfield Theatre and I sometimes think they tell you what they think you want to know. It’s easier if you want Soft ground – we’d have struggled to run Jaisalmer as much last year.
How would you encourage more horses?
We need to target horses coming from rules to pointing, because you lose young horses after one or two runs. You have amazing horses like Southfield Theatre and schoolmasters like Jaisalmer, who used to be stress under rules but are so much more relaxed in points – they can chew grass, hang out with our Shetland pony… There must be plenty of horses like them, who need an easier life, but could still do well. Take Southfield Lily – pointing’s completely changed her.
Do you have any hobbies outside racing?
I quite enjoy baking – anything sweet – and did Home Economics at GCSE and A-Level. I often do it for the yard – there’s a rule that, if you fall off, you must bake a cake. The others just buy one, but I bake – lemon drizzle cake is my favourite at the moment.
I watch Bake Off, but prefer the Celebrity one, as they can’t do it properly!
Aside from Bake Off, what else do you watch on TV?
I’m watching The Night Agent on Netflix. Lots of people are getting murdered, so it’s a bit gruesome.
Who is your non-racing hero?
Triathlete Alastair Brownlee. I enjoy watching him in competition, as he pushes himself through the barrier.