21 May 2008 Pilots in Profile - Adam Waugh
A stockbroker by profession, Adam Waugh came to the game fairly late in life by today's standards. But age is no barrier to enjoyment in Pointing and, along with his brother Simon (who trains the horses), they have enjoyed sucess between the flags and in hunter chases with Benny Boy, Just Barney Boy, Mays Delight, and Sleeping Night.
AGE 44.
MARITAL STATUS Married.
PROFESSION Stockbroker.
ARE YOU FROM A RACING BACKGROUND? Yes. My father rode Point-to-Point, as did my brother Simon (who trains the horses).
HOW DID YOU GET INTO RIDING? First pony club, then hunted till age of 20; did not ride again till I was 38 due to work/location.
FIRST RIDE - WHEN, FOR WHOM, HORSE, COURSE, FATE? Feb 2004. My horse - Just Barney Boy at Ratcheugh (Alnwick) in the Mens Open. We won.
WHO ARE THE MAIN TRAINERS THAT YOU RIDE FOR? My brother Simon and occasional rides for Sue Bell.
WHERE ARE YOU BASED/LIVE? Morpeth, Northumberland.
WHAT CAR DO YOU DRIVE? Golf R32.
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT NIGHT IN & PERFECT NIGHT OUT In - a glass or two of Aberlour whiskey, good bottle of wine, a steak, and lively conversation. Out - in the pub discussing the day's racing.
IF YOU WERE SUSPENDED - WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH YOURSELF? Go abroad.
WHO WOULD BE YOUR PERFECT TRAVELLING COMPANIONS TO THE RACES? Girls Aloud.
WHAT CD'S ARE YOU PLAYING IN YOUR CAR AT PRESENT? The radio, I don't do cds.
WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST HEROES - IN AND OUT OF RACING? Timmy Murphy, Graham Lee, Choc Thornton and my brother Simon (but don't tell him). Madonna.
WHAT TURNS YOU ON/OFF - IN RACING & LIFE IN GENERAL? On - watching the top 2 mile chasers jumping the 3rd last in the Queen Mum must be the best spectacle in the world. Off - seeing tired horses fall.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FUNNIEST INCIDENT AT THE RACES? Running one lap of Walthamstow dog track after the last to win a bet and recover my losses.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING IN RACING - WHAT WOULD IT BE? Put Hunter Chases further up the card; they are all too often the last race.
IF YOU HADN'T TAKEN UP RIDING - WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE? Taken up riding later.
WHAT IS THE DAFTEST THING A FELLOW RIDER, AN OWNER, OR TRAINER, HAS EVER SAID TO YOU? "Where the hell did you come from" - as I passed a front runner over the 3rd last.
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BEST AND WORST RIDES YOU HAVE GIVEN A HORSE? Best ride was a mare called May's Delight to win a point. Change of tactics worked! Worst ride.....too many to mention!
DO YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS IN YOUR RIDING CAREER? Took it up at 40; 20-years too late.
