Ex-jockey relives 'dream' of Cheltenham Festival

15 minutes ago

Trevor Owens,Sports Editorand

Oprah Flash,West Midlands

News image — Oliver Boyden had to retire as a jockey due to injury but now teaches others

Oliver Boyden A jockey is riding a racehorse at speed on a grass racecourse. The horse is mid-stride with its front legs lifted high and its hind legs pushing off the ground, kicking up small clumps of turf behind it. The jockey is wearing a red, white and blue racing outfit and is leaning forward low over the saddle in a racing position. The number 6 is visible on the horse’s saddlecloth. — Oliver Boyden had to retire as a jockey due to injury but now teaches others

A former jockey has described riding at the Cheltenham Festival as a "dream" experience ahead of this year's extravaganza.

One of the biggest events on the British sporting calendar, this year's festival is expected to attract tens of thousands of spectators over the next four days, culminating in Friday's showpiece, the Gold Cup.

Oliver Boyden, 24, from Bromsgrove competed at Cheltenham races for two years but had to retire last year after sustaining an injury.

"You dream of riding at Cheltenham from very early, so when the day comes it's very difficult to think that you're actually riding at Cheltenham," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

Oliver Boyden The photo shows a person dressed in full racing attire standing outdoors at what appears to be a horse‑racing venue. The individual is wearing a red racing helmet with protective goggles resting on the front, a pale blue and white racing jacket, and white riding trousers secured with a belt. A black glove is visible on one hand, and the person is holding a small object that looks like part of their racing equipment. — Boyden described the experience of riding at Cheltenham Festival as 'unlike any other'

He has now turned his riding crop to mentoring other jockeys in a bid to help them strive for the Gold Cup.

Boyden added: "I've had a couple of rides around Cheltenham and it is something unlike any other, you just can't believe you're there.

"The main priority of any race is to make sure your horse gets back safe and sound, but it was just a brilliant experience to ride around the Cheltenham fences over that track, incredible."

Each day of the meeting, the first race takes place at 13:20 GMT.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the fifth race on Friday and takes place at 16:00. There are seven races each day - 28 in total - with the final race at 17:20.

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