James attended Greatwood’s one week intensive 1st4Sport accredited ‘Get Going’ programme during the summer of 2012. James came to the charity through the Amber Foundation in Bath, a residential charity that offers a fresh start to homeless, unemployed young adults with complex challenges including recovery from substance misuse. The Amber Foundation breaks the cycle of homelessness through supported housing, employment training, and personal development programmes.
“I was living in a hostel when I met someone that had been to the Northern Racing College (NRC) when my ears pricked up and I thought that might be something I’d like to do. Then I got talking about horse racing and one of the members of staff at the hostel told me that he used to be a jockey. Through the Amber Foundation I went to Greatwood where they gave me the chance to work with the horses and gain a qualification. It opened my eyes to a whole new world and career that I had never and would never had considered if it wasn’t for them.”
After successfully completing Greatwood’s Get Going programme and earning an accredited qualification in Basic Horse Care, James secured a place on the NRC’s 12-week Residential Foundation Course with the charity’s support.
During the three-month course, James learned to ride and achieved a Level 1 Diploma in Work-Based Horse Care and Riding before going on to secure full time employment with racehorse trainer Neil Mulholland based near Bath.
In just a few months, James had transformed his life forever.
The Druid’s Nephew, 2015
Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
Just three years on from his first ever contact with a racehorse at Greatwood Charity, James realised a dream that few ever do – leading in a Cheltenham Festival winner.
“Before I went to Greatwood I had never had any contact with horses but as soon as I walked through the gates I knew that I wanted to work with horses for the rest of my life”
In 2014 James moved to Jersey to take a job with Angie Corson a well-known local racehorse trainer based in the Channel Islands. During his time in Jersey, and wanting to progress even further within the industry, James took up his jockey apprentice licence and on Sunday 24th July, 2016 at Les Landes, James made his racing debut as a jockey aboard Fast Freddie.
James finished a credible 6th in a field of 10. A remarkable achievement for a young man whose first encounter with a horse was a little under four years earlier.
James went on to ride in a further five races in Jersey before returning to England a few years later, to be closer to his family and to continue his career in the racing industry back with Neil Mullholland as a work rider.
James with double gold Olympic cycling champion, Victoria Pendleton, at Greatwood in March 2017
Ahead of her ride as an amateur jockey at the Cheltenham Festival Victoria visited the charity and met James who had popped in to give the learners a demo on the equisizer.
James Today…
Fourteen years after graduating from Greatwood, and now in his 30s, James returned to help the charity celebrate 20 years of life-changing education at this year’s Presentation Day. His remarkable story continues to motivate and inspire every learner.
Still devoted to working in the racing industry, James rides out every day.