15 June 2010 Woollacott Relishes Title Success
by Carolyn Tanner
If ever there was a season in which Richard Woollacott had the ammunition to win the national title, 2009-10 was it.
"I get plenty of rides on young horses who might win one or two but I don't usually ride enough Open horses," he explained. "But this season I've had seven on Come What Augustus, and a couple who've had four apiece, so I knew that if I was within five of the leaders in the last month I'd have a good chance."
In fact, for the first three years of race-riding, Richard rode only Maidens, including his initial ride on Miss Pernickity in 1996. "That was naivety on the family's part," he admitted. "I'd never have done it if I'd known what I do now."
Hunting has always played a big part in Richard's life, but it was hunting in Ireland and jumping the type of obstacles missing from the Devon landscape that whetted his appetite for racing. He went to work for Victor Dartnall, at that time a very successful Point-to-Point trainer, and later for Polly Curling, who, he says, taught him much about the tactical side of racing.
One regret he has is his decision, thankfully short-lived, to give up racing in 2003. "I was busy with work and I didn't feel as if I was riding as many winners as I should have done," he said. He missed a large chunk of that season but was persuaded to return and still managed to finish runner-up for the area title. "Looking back, things were actually going pretty well. I lost some rides through it, but now I like to think that I don't take everything for granted."
His greatest supporters are his parents, Denis and Carol - "Dad lets me gallop all over the farm!" - but he emphasised his gratitude to everyone who had helped him in his quest for the title. He had a special word for Neil McLean, who saddles his horses at every meeting. "He had two winners on the flat during the season but he missed those to come and help me."
Delighted though he is to be champion, there is one thing which has pleased Richard even more. "I know there isn't an official trainers' championship but the yard has sent out 34 winners this season," he pointed out. "Training is more important to me than riding."
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For runner-up John Mathias, who has a wise head on his 19-year-old shoulders, there will be plenty of chances to try to emulate his grandfather Fred, joint-champion in 1956. John, who has brought nothing but credit to the sport, had four prospective final meeting rides which dwindled after his previous day's course walk. "I wasn't prepared to risk nice young horses on firm ground," was his reasoning.
"If you finish in the top half dozen you've got to be pleased," he said earlier in the campaign, and despite coming so close to the title his opinion remained the same. His main feeling at Umberleigh was one of relief. "I'm so glad to think that I haven't got to dash off to ride somewhere tomorrow," he smiled.
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The year younger Jake Greenall failed honourably in his bid to take the title as his father Peter and brothers Thomas and Oliver had before him. Jake, who finished one behind John in third place, will not get another bite at the cherry. He is joining Henry Daly in September and will be turning conditional in the autumn.
Jake had little realistic chance of landing the title at the start of the last day, but the Greenall family's sporting attitude and commitment to Point-to-Pointing saw the arrival of a large - almost too large to get through the entrance - lorry containing enough horses for four possible rides for Jake, plus some for the two elder Greenall brothers as well!
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The fixture's other main interest was whether Joe Tickle could wrest the national novice championship from Tom Cannon, who led by one at the start of the day. Sadly for Joe his three rides were out of the frame and so the status quo was maintained.
Tom, who works for Alan Fleming, is South East-based and the equivalent women's championship also went to that area, courtesy of Claire Douglas. Polly Gundry won the senior title for a remarkable eighth time, and Fully Loaded's nine victories ensured he took the leading horse award.
The championship trophies will be presented at the National Dinner to be held at the Stratford Manor Hotel on June 26th.
