HORSES TO FOLLOW 2026/2027: GINA ANDREWS
With 580 wins across all codes – 471 between the flags – Gina Andrews is by far the leading British female jump jockey of all time, despite remaining amateur throughout her career. She combines riding with training between 25 and 30 pointers at the yard at Marton, near Rugby in Warwickshire that she shares with her husband Tom Ellis, who holds a professional licence.
Fumet D’Oudairies
A legend, who’s won 14 of his 18 starts in points and Hunter Chases, and sister Bridget, brother Jack and I have all won on him, which is pretty special. We were hoping to target the Ladies Final at Stratford last season, but it was abandoned, and we’ll target Ladies Opens again and see if he retains his ability. He definitely still has his enthusiasm (he dumped his work rider on the day I visited the yard!) He’s quite fragile, lightly-raced and loves soft ground – we won’t risk him on anything fast.
Galaxie De Maine
A new horse for the Marriage & Signy families, who’ve been such lucky owners and great supporters of ours. An ex-Irish 4yo filly, she’s run twice and was third on her second start but was very green. We got her from Sam Curling – we’ve done well with his horses over the years.
January Jones
Another 4yo filly we bought in Ireland, who’s also run twice and was third last time out. She was quite light when we got her but has filled out since, and we schooled her for the first time last week and were pleasantly surprised. She belongs to a group of owners, mostly from East Anglia, who’ve had plenty of success with us over the years and will be ready to run around Christmas.
Java Point
A new horse for first season rider, 19-year-old Poppy Strachan, who’s been riding out for us since she was 16 – she’s the grand-daughter of Scottish football legend Gordon Strachan! While she’s not from a racing background, she’s naturally gifted, has taken to it well, and is keen to race-ride. It’s hard to find schoolmasters, but he should do the job. He won four chases for Henry Oliver, and a Ludlow Hunter Chase for Lemos De Souza last season, then I was beaten a whisker on him at Newbury!
Suspect Getaway
We bought him at Doncaster. He’s had a few runs in Irish points, winning one, where he was mostly novice ridden, which is why there are letters in his form as well as numbers! We’ve had luck with our Getaway horses, and he’s owned by Chris Mellard and Di Cope, who had the useful Salvatore. They were involved with Leopard D’Irlande last season, but this is their first
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