At 18 years old, Martha Reeve is the latest young riding talent to be producing the goods for Tom and Gina Ellis’ G & T Racing operation.
She has had a long association with the yard through her grandmother Shona Westrope, the owner of useful types such as Kalabaloo and Dundrum Wood, the latter (in green, on his way to Martha's debut victory at Alnwick) providing Martha’s first three successes in the saddle, from only four rides. She spoke to Jake Exelby recently about how she got into pointing, her future plans, and why she’s a fan of after-parties!
How did you get into racing and point-to-pointing?
I’ve lived in Marton, next to Tom & Gina’s yard, my whole life and granny’s had horses with them as long as I can remember. I turned 18 at the end of February started riding out there any day I wasn’t at school or out hunting when I was 13. I’m studying for my A-levels now – Biology, Business Studies, and Psychology – and I ride Dundrum Wood every day before school and at weekends, and ride out full time during the holidays.
I’ve been leading-up granny’s horses since I started working for Tom & Gina. I led-up Kalabaloo at Cheltenham last season and went there with her when she ran in the Foxhunters. I ride her at home a lot but haven’t done in a race.
Martha with Kalabaloo after a second at Cheltenham last year
I also hunt with the Warwickshire as much as I can – it’s my favourite thing outside racing and it teaches you things like how to sit up, sit back and how to approach a fence.
Other than your grandmother’s, who have been your favourite horses?
It’s always nice when the babies run well, and when Ellie Callwood and Ellie Holder have a ride. I also follow the older horses, who’ve been around for a long time – I used to ride Haymount and the likes of Al Shahir, Bawnmore and General Arrow have been there since I started.
Martha with Al Shahir
How has your grandmother influenced you?
I owe her so much and always want to give her a hug. I’ve always done horsey things with her – she took me to my first ever riding lesson and would take me out hunting. There’s a picture of me on one of her hunters when I was tiny. She’s encouraged me to race-ride and the plan was always for me to ride Dundrum Wood – I had an injury last year, so couldn’t take out my licence.
Shona on her hunter with Martha as a baby
Who’s inspired you most in racing alongside the G & T Racing team?
Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore – I cried when they won at Cheltenham this year. It was such a nice thing to happen, particular after what the de Bromheads have been through this year, losing their son.
I’ve known Fred Hutsby for a long time, so it’s nice when he has a winner, and Charlie Poste has always been really helpful, both with the Equicizer and the gym sessions he holds on Tuesday night that Conor Shoemark runs – they’re hard work but good fun.
Also, my uncle – Andrew Westrope – who had a few rides. I joke now that I’ve ridden a winner, while he didn’t.
What’s your favourite course?
Alnwick, and not just because I had my first winner there. A lot of my family live there, I used to go before I started racing, and I often don’t see them between meetings. To see my cousins and aunts cheering in my first winner was great.
Alnwick’s a long way. How did you feel on the journey up… then back?
The trip up gave me a lot of time to think about it, but when we got there, I was leading-up Zac Baker on a maiden and there was no more time to get nervous until I was at the start.
I was wearing Zac’s goggles as mine were clear and his shaded – he let me keep them afterwards as I won wearing them!
Afterwards, it was a brilliant feeling, and we went home on a high. I talked to Tom about the race on the way home and it seemed to go quickly.
What do you enjoy most about pointing?
The support team at Tom and Gina’s is absolutely brilliant. Take Clive (Page) and Lennie (Owen) for example – I’ve known them for ages through granny, they’re so supportive, always there for you and cheer you in with an “Oi, oi!” And they’ve always got a drink for you, whether you want one or not!
Martha with Arctic Oscar and connections including winning owner Lennie Owen (second left) after a win at a hot Kimble
What are your plans for the rest of the season and next?
I’ll stick to points this year and go with the flow. Mollington is an obvious target, as everyone we know will be there. It’s a scary thought but will be good fun if we run well.
As for next season, granny tends to get horses without telling me, like (Alnwick winner) Whosmydaddy, that she owned part of even though she didn’t like the name. A couple of years ago, she put the telly on and said, “Watch this race – I own a horse in it.” It was Dundrum Wood! (Who won a Hunter Chase on his first outing for Shona).
Martha ad Whosmydaddy, part-owned by Shona, at Alnwick
And what are your ambitions for the future?
I’ve no idea! I’ve always dreamt of having a yard of horses to give young riders opportunities. I’d like to train and teach, even if I don’t ride myself. But that’s a long time away – for now, I just want to pass my A-levels and after that, I’d rather work than go to university.
Eventually, I’d like to run a horse-related business, doing things to help the equestrian community.
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
I’d have more ‘socials’ at meetings that bring everyone together – that would generate money for the fixtures. Take Shelfield Park recently – everyone goes to the party afterwards and looks forward to it. I keep trying to convince granny to have one at Mollington, but she always says no! They bring in young people, who are the ones you need for the future – and to spend money on beer and betting!
It would be difficult to improve the racing, but there could be more done to get crowds, for example more marquees in case it’s a rainy day. Take the Oakley meeting last year, where Dundrum Wood walked over. No-one wants to watch a walkover, so they put on a dog show to entertain the crowd. Half the people who attend probably don’t remember the results the next day – they go for a fun day out.
What would you do to encourage more horses?
It’s difficult because the numbers are getting smaller every year. Part of the problem is that we’re losing hunts, and there’s nothing we can do about that. And, if we lose hunts, what happens to pointing? If you love the sport, your life revolves around it, but if you’re new, there are so many processes to go through and you need the right facilities to keep horses.
Do you have any hobbies outside racing?
When you spend all your time with horses and doing A-levels, it’s difficult to have hobbies! I’ve got a good set of friends and like going out with them. But nobody at my school knows I race, and I never talk about hunting. People wouldn’t understand what I’m talking about.
What’s your dream holiday destination?
I’ve always wanted to go on a horseback safari to South Africa.
Do you ever get mickey-taking about your name? (For younger readers, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas were a top Motown band in the 1960s who had a smash hit with Dancing in the Street).
I sometimes get stick but just accept it. I don’t really know who the band are – I’m a bit young!