The Part-Timers of Jackdaws Castle - Part 4

As well our team of full time staff, the yard has a small band of part-timers who ride out, either at weekends or in the week. They all have other careers or jobs but have become a much loved part of the mornings...

Toby Coombes started riding out at O’Neill Racing, having previously completed diplomas in Equine Management at the Royal Agricultural College and the foundation course at the British Racing School in Newmarket. These were two ways for Toby, 22, to gain knowledge of horses, having not grown up with them or ridden them as a child. He also worked in a hunting yard near Stroud. ‘I didn’t go to the BRS with the aim of working in racing, but to learn to ride. I’d had about ten lessons on ponies at a riding school but I wasn’t progressing enough having one lesson a week. Whereas, at the BRS, we had two lots a day every day so I learnt quickly.’

At the hunting yard, Toby met longtime Jackdaws Castle-employee Lucy Westlake, who was a big influence on him ringing up about a job. ‘Lucy was always talking about Jonjo O’Neill’s so she gave me the idea,’ explains Toby, admitting to being so laidback that she had to ‘hassle’ him. Yet, since last August, Toby has been a regular part-timer, riding out six mornings a week. Considering he’s only been around horses for seven years, he's learnt fast and is a valued team member. He's also a racing yard's equivilent of a postman who always wears shorts by being the first to ride out in short sleeves — or no sleeves — at any hint of sun!

When he was one, Toby and his family moved to Dubai. After fourteen years, they returned back home and Toby lives in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. After riding out, he heads home, grabs lunch before riding out his own horse during the afternoons. She is a Thoroughbred mare, though unraced, called Darcy, who Toby shares with his mum. ‘Darcy is a happy hacker for Mum but I school her, keeping her going well.’ They also own a Saluki called Larna.

Did you have a horsey childhood? No. My mum has a horsey background and her uncle was Paddy McMahon, the champion showjumper. As a kid, she’d always been involved with horses and showjumping through them.

After moving back over here in 2018, we lived next door to a dressage yard and the first time I had direct contact with horses was when we’d walk the dog next to where they turned out. Due to her past experience with horses, my mum was confident around them, patting them and giving them carrots. Whereas I was scared that they’d bite me!

What made you think about working in racing? My main tutor at college, who was also head of the course, had a few ex-racehorses on the yard. She’d always been involved in racing and had ridden in point-to-points, and banged on about racing in practicals and lectures. I first heard about the British Racing School because she mentioned it. I had a friend at college, who signed us up for the open day so we ended up going on the eighteen-week beginner course together.

How did you start riding out at O’Neill Racing? After the BRS, I was meant to go to another racing yard but that fell through. I hadn’t seen Lucy Westlake since we worked together but then we met up in the July, and she basically convinced me to ride out here. I rode three lots on a trial and I started a month later. It's all down to Lucy – I don't know what I'd be doing right now if it wasn't for her.

Favourite rides at O’Neill Racing: My first favourite is Just Adair – I love him so much. When he retires, I’d love to have him. He’s so cuddly and cute – I go and see him every day even when I’m not down to ride him. Wreckless Eric is another cool boy and Ann D’Arabie is lovely too.

Best aspect to riding out at O’Neill Racing: The horses – there are no nasty ones, they’re all really nice and riding them is so enjoyable. I'm in a privileged position to be able to ride racehorses. When the sun is shining, I marvel at being paid to ride out – it never feels like work. 

Worst aspect to riding out at O’Neill Racing: The early mornings – I’m not a morning person.

Favourite racecourses: Cheltenham, Punchestown and Leopardstown.

Best advice you can give about riding racehorses: Sit tight!

If you didn’t work in racing, what job would you do? Even though it isn’t a realistic dream job, I’d love to be a fighter pilot.

Favourite food: Banoffee pie. I can make a very good one.

Favourite drink: I drink a lot of water.

Favourite snack: Pringles.

Favourite holiday destination: I’m not a holiday person but as a family, we go to Greece every year. That’s my favourite holiday.

Other hobbies: I love going to the gym.

Favourite music: I don’t listen to one specific type of music, just lots of different types.

Favourite film: I love horror films.

Hopes for the future: Sometimes, I want to be a jockey but other times, I’m not so keen on the idea.

Sun's Out means Guns Out are words Toby lives by!