22-year-old Alice Stevens is one of the leading female riders on the pointing scene.
She rode her first winner on Citizens Arrest in 2015 and clinched the Lady Novice Riders title on the final day of the 2018 season, having not got off the mark until April. Alice rides mainly for Fran Nimmo and Charlie Poste but is broadening her network and has become known this season for her association with Cheltenham Foxhunters hope Red Indian, whom she has partnered to two wide-margin victories between the flags.
Jake Exelby caught-up with her last week to get the lowdown on the horse’s Cheltenham prep… and what she’s been up to during lockdown.
Who’s inspired you most in the world of pointing?
(Irish jockey) Lisa O’Neill. She’s my absolute idol – I’ve ridden work with her and she’s so strong. She’s intelligent too and you couldn’t meet a nicer person. I’ve got so much respect for her.
Which jockeys do you most admire?
Gina Andrews. She’s at the very top of the sport and there’s nothing she hasn’t done. She’s head smart and knows how to ride a race. What’s not to like?
And Becky Smith’s very good, although you don’t see her much in points.
Who have been your favourite horses?
Obviously Red Indian, who gives me a buzz every time I ride him. Citizens Arrest was my first pointer and got me going. We’ve still got him at home and he’s an absolute dude. And Rendezvous Peak was an odd character, but gave me one of my best days ever when we won at Umberleigh.
Of those I haven’t ridden, I like watching Kalabaloo run. She’s a strong horse with a smart pedigree.
What's been your personal funniest moment in the sport?
I’d just won on Rendezvous Peak at Dingley and was with Fran and the owners. Richard Bandey had a palomino pony there, that couldn’t have been more than 12 hands and Fran thought it would be fun to put me up. It bucked me off – absolutely nailed me in front of about 20 people!
Another was when Fran rode Duke Of Lucca at Newbury. She didn’t want to go and was complaining to Charlie and I en route, “I don’t want people to see me on TV.” She unseated at the last, then the leader got chinned (when he mistook the winning post) so Fran, mid-fall, was splashed all over the Racing Post!
What have been the highlights of your time in the sport?
Definitely winning the Novice Riders title on the last day. It was the best feeling ever and I’d become obsessed with winning it. Fran and Charlie helped massively.
And the first day I rode Red Indian, winning by so far. I couldn’t stop talking about it and was bending Mum’s ear all the way home – for two and a half hours!
Who’s going to win the Cheltenham Foxhunters?
Red Indian, of course, although I’d be lying if I didn’t say I had mixed feelings. I want to be on board but I can’t be, but I want the horse to win. I love him and I’ve been helping (trainer) Kelly Morgan with his schooling. I wish Adam Wedge the best of luck and hopefully I’ll be back on him next year.
Maxine O’Sullivan’s horse (It Came To Pass) who won a hard Foxhunters well last year is a big danger, as is Porlock Bay if he stays – he might have to be held on to.
What's your favourite course?
Horseheath. It’s a nice galloping track with no sharp bends and lovely fences. The best horse wins – there are no booby traps.
What are your own ambitions in point-to-pointing?
I’m happy to stay as an amateur but I’m pretty ambitious – I want to take over Gina’s mantle in a couple of years. I’d also love to win on a four-year-old first time out, keep riding lots of winners and get more connections.
What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?
In Ireland, novice riders keep their claims for longer – I think it’s up to 20 winners in an open. If we did that over here, it would give novices more opportunities.
How has lockdown affected you from a racing perspective?
During the first lockdown, I turned into a farmer, helping Dad with the lambing at four o’clock in the morning! Then I went to Ireland in the summer – it was supposed to be for two weeks but ended up as nearly three months.
I haven’t been doing so much during the latest one. I’ve been riding for Fran and Charlie, obviously, as well as Jo Priest, Henry Daly and Olly Murphy.
What do you think the effect of lockdown on pointing will be?
I’m an optimist and think we’ll be OK over here, but that the Irish will be in a spot of bother. They’ve got four-, five- and six-year-olds ready to go, the cost of keeping horses is astronomical and I don’t believe they’re even reviewing their season until April.
What are your plans for the rest of the pointing season?
Nothing specific yet, but I’m looking forward to the new course at Shelfield Park. Dad used to farm there and Nick Pearce and his team have put in a lot of work. I’d love to ride a winner there – and it’s not far to go home!
What else have you been up to during lockdown?
I’ve enjoyed being able to take a chill pill, especially on Sundays. I’ve done some drawings, but they look like a five-year-old has done them! However, I’m getting bored with the steadier pace of life now.
Tell me about a book, film, TV series or some music you've enjoyed?
I love music, all sorts of different genres. I’ve been listening to the new Taylor Swift album but also like sixties and seventies music – my karaoke tune is Janis Joplin’s Me And Bobby McGee. I was talking to Jo Priest about this – hers is Bat Out Of Hell by Meatloaf!
I’ve watched Killing Eve – very dry, very British – and The Queen’s Gambit and the last book I read was Life After Life by Kate Atkinson.
Who’s your non-racing hero?
Jessica Ennis is incredible, but I’d have to say my gran, who’s instilled so much in me without me realizing it – being independent, having an opinion, not taking any s**t! Even in her eighties, she used to go to France on her own.
Where is your dream holiday destination?
I’d love to go to Ibiza.
What other questions should I be asking people?
Which five famous people would you like to meet? My answer would be… I’d like to go on a night out with Adele, Jodie Comer and Taylor Swift, to meet Winston Churchill – he’d be fascinating – and for Josh O’Connor, who played Prince Charles in The Crown, to take me on a date!