An Interview with National Hunt Jockey James Best

I interviewed National Hunt jockey James ‘Besty’ Best as he travelled home after riding a second and a winner. He was pragmatic in his assessment of the day: ‘I missed out on two winners elsewhere. That’s the only trouble with being freelance – I can’t keep everyone happy all of the time and I can’t be in two places.’

Even with difficult choices about rides, so far, James has ridden over three hundred winners, including Grade 1 victory on Nickle Back in the 2024 Scilly Isles Chase. He has been victorious in two Becher Chases in ’18 and ’19 on Walk in The Mill, the 2012 Tote Silver Trophy on Lamb Or Cod for his one-time boss Philip Hobbs and has won five times on the Emma Lavelle-trained My Silver Lining, including Warwick’s Classic Chase.

James’ background is of a Cornish childhood; his dad a farmer and mum always horse mad so ‘horses were in the blood’. There were other family connections to racing: ‘My great aunt and uncle owned St Mellion Fairway, which was fourth in the 1998 Aintree Grand National, and was named after the golf course they’d built.’ James grew up a village called Hatt, two miles away from the aforementioned St Mellion. His older sister Charlotte, now married to former jockey and TV presently Luke Harvey, used to work for Philip Hobbs and subsequently did the travelling for Charlie Longsdon and Ollie Murphy, and was the biggest influence on her younger brother.

Living with his family in the Cotswolds, James, 35, is married to Izzi, who he met when she worked for trainer Caroline Keevil, and they have two boys, Oliver ‘Olly’ 6 and Edward ‘Eddy’ 4. They have two ponies called Harry and Buffy, a lurcher called Murphy and two chickens, Leggy and Pants.

James sums up his career with the words: ‘I’m realistic in the fact that I am journeyman jockey. I’ll keep trying my best and I’ve been very lucky to have had some of the days I’ve had in my career.’ But that is too a humble description for someone who is a brave horseman, a family man and so hardworking.

Did you have a horsey childhood? Yes, very much so. I was tied onto a Shetland pony before I could walk. I did lots and lots of Pony Club, hunting, eventing, showjumping, pony racing, tetrathlons, team chasing…you name it, my mum had me doing it.

Who influenced you to get into racing? My sister Charlotte was the big factor in me getting into racing. She started riding out down the road, in Tremmerton, near Saltash, called Jackie de Plassi. From the age of thirteen, I started going there at weekends and I still ride for her a little bit now. By the time I was fourteen, Charlotte had started full time at Philip Hobbs’. So, I started to stay in my school holidays for a week at a time on work experience. It went from there…

What stepping stones did you use to become a jockey? From sixteen, I was at Philip Hobbs’ for ten years. I had my first ride point-to-pointing at seventeen, but didn’t have my first winner until nineteen, which was for Charlotte Brew, who was famous for being the first lady to ride in the Grand National. When I had got going ‘pointing with seven winners and was doing well in the novice championship, I broke my leg on Easter Monday so I then had nearly a year off. I had ten months as an amateur before turning conditional at twenty-one.

Favourite racecourse: I like Exeter. I rode there a lot when I was at Philip Hobbs’ and based in the west country, building up a lot of contacts. It’s just a lovely track.

Favourite racehorse: I used to love the cross-country horse Spot Thedifference.

Which race would you most like to win? Probably the Velká Pardubická or the Cheltenham cross country race.

Where has racing taken you abroad? I’ve been to the Czech Republic for the Pardubická. Years ago, I had a few rides in Switzerland in their cross country races, which came about when I took the place of an injured Kielan Woods. I also rode in Poland once.

Grade 1 victory on Nickle Back

What does the Jockeys Educational & Training Scheme mean to jockeys? JETS is a fantastic opportunity for jockeys to improve and develop their skills. We all automatically pay into it with every ride so it’s good to utilise it. I feel I should be doing more through it. All I have done so far is, years ago, my trailer test and, this year, my HGV. I’m sure I will use it again in the future but it’s just knowing what I want to do and what to use JETS for. Who knows what I will use it for but it’s reassuring to know it’s there.

Best days in racing so far: Nickle Back winning the Grade 1 at Sandown was unbelievable, My Silver Lining winning the Classic Chase was also incredible because my mother-in-law owns her and Izzi and the boys were there, which was brilliant.

Walk In The Mill winning two Becher Chases over the National fences was fantastic. A few horses have won the Becher more than once but he was the one horse to win it in consecutive years.

What would you do if you weren’t a jockey? I really don’t know…I grew up on a farm so I’d probably be a farmer or something else outdoors.

James winning on Jackie de Plassi's Kingsmill Gin at Taunton in December 2021

Photo Credit: Pinnacle Photo Agency Ltd 

What do you love about being a jockey? Being able to do what I dreamt about growing up and being able to make a career and living out of it.

Ideal day off: Going for a ride with the boys on their ponies and then having a roast in a pub. I just love spending time with the boys.

Favourite meal: Lamb shanks with all the trimmings.

Favourite drink: A chai latte.

Favourite snack: Chocolate.

Favourite holiday destination: I’ve only been skiing once, last March, to Avoriaz and I absolutely loved it. I have to say skiing somewhere!

Favourite film: Cool Runnings.

Favourite book: I’m not a reader these days but I was one in the past of sports biographies. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook of Andre Agassi’s Open, because it was really informative.

Favourite music: I like all sorts, but especially Ed Sheeran and things like that.

Hopes and dreams for the future: To continue doing my best for as long as I can.

Finishing 5th in this year's Velká Pardubická on Zarate - one race James would love to win

Photo Credit: Monika Suchánková