Q&A with Jockey Richard Kingscote
A group of Year 11 xl club members from
Westbourne College got to grill top Jockey Richard Kingscote during
a racing experience day with the British Horseracing Authority
(BHA).
How did you get into horse racing?
I wasn’t born into racing like many of the other jockeys and
didn’t have a racing background. My mum was a hairdresser and my
dad a builder. My mum bought a pony when I was young which sparked
off my interest in racing. I got a job working in the yard at the
British Racing School in Newmarket. When I got given a chance to
ride – I took it. I’ve now been racing for five years and it’s
going very well.
Why are jockeys so short?
You have to be less than 9st so it’s generally easier to meet
that weight if you’re shorter. There is a guy on the circuit who is
over 6ft though and he can always make the weight.
Do you have a lucky mascot you take with you to
races?
I’m not really superstitious – although I do wear a chain my
girlfriend bought me whenever I race.
How many races have you won?
I’ve won 230 in five years. Racing has been good to me and I’ve
earned a lot of money in that time. I left school with no
qualifications but I had a passion for racing and the determination
to succeed in this sport. I was useless in my first race but I was
given the time to improve.
Are there any lady jockeys?
I think there are about ten on the circuit and two of them are
doing very well.
Are you upset when they beat you?
No I’m not – especially when I know they’ve been racing for a
lot longer than I have!
Have you had any injuries or fallen off while
racing?
I’ve fallen off twice while racing. I’ve cut my mouth and
bruised my nose. You do take a risk every time you race but it’s
more dangerous for jump jockeys. As I race on the flat I don’t have
such high risk levels.
Do jockeys throw tantrums when they lose?
There are arguments sometimes and a few words between jockeys.
But at the end of the day everyone gets on.
Have you ever had to appear before the
stewards?
I’ve been banned once in England and twice in Australia – they
are much stricter there and you often have to go in and explain
what happened in the race to them.
How does it feel when you’re in a race, is it
exciting?
I got into racing because I like speed and horses. When I’m on a
horse which is running flat-out it’s such a great feeling.
What age do you think you will retire at?
I’m 23 now, so as long as I don’t have weight issues or injury
problems I can see myself racing for another 20 years.