The Part Timers of Jackdaws Castle - Part 5

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 or, in this case, school but have become a much loved part of the mornings...   

Those who frown at the ‘next generation’ haven’t met Flo Beckett-Newhook. At fifteen, she’s the youngest of O’Neill Racing’s part-timers but doesn’t lack commitment, enthusiasm and talent, executing all with bubbliness and an infectious smile. She is already a competent rider, building on the solid foundations acquired from years in the local Pony Club on array of ponies ascending in size.

Though far happier riding, Flo doesn’t neglect her education and lists her favourite subjects as PE, Child Development and Geography, which were three of the GCSE options she picked. ‘I plan to do my A-Levels at the Cotswold School, as an agreement with my parents’ request. Also, following the advice given by many at Jonjo’s, including head lad Johnny Kavanagh. They have all told me that A-Levels are a great backup plan…’ So, with a few more years ahead of her at school, Flo will keep furthering her experience in horses by riding out and going racing on days out or with runners. Last week, at a busy day at Windsor Racecourse, Flo led up her first ever winner with the dashing grey Rukaana – another box ticked off.

Flo lives at home in Naunton, Gloucestershire with parents Ryan and Lucy and younger brother Barney, a keen beater during the winter and cricketer in the summer. They own a menagerie of pets, including two Guinea pigs called Bubble and Squeak, Frank the French bulldog and two other dogs, Darla and Lilly, Gaston and Hillary the runner ducks and Homer, Marge and Moomin the calls ducks and Mother Clucker and Peaches the bantam chickens. Plus, Jade the Shetland pony and ex-racehorse Soaring Glory, winner of the 2021 Betfair Hurdle.

If the future of racing and beyond lies with the likes of Flo, then it’s never been brighter…

First ponies: My first ever pony was Jade, who we still own at thirty-two. She is a bay Shetland, who definitely taught me to ride! We got Jade when I was three and I did bits of hunting on the lead rein and some mounted games (Dad always got very competitive!). Princess Beanie (Beanie) was the next step up onto a bigger pony when I turned six. She also taught me so so much and was the first I took to Pony Club camp at Cheltenham Racecourse.

What horsey disciplines have you done? Since I was four, I've been a member of the Pony Club so have been lucky enough to give almost everything a try! This includes mounted games, which I found great fun because it’s fast, competitive and requires technical riding. I have also done showjumping, cross country, pony racing and dressage, which I didn’t find as fun but still gave it a go. Currently, I’m doing showjumping and cross country.

Jade the Shetland was a great teacher to a young Flo, photographed with mum Lucy (far right)

How did you initially get into racing? From a young age, I have always watched racing with my parents. It has always fascinated me so, at Cheltenham in April 2022, I did my first pony race on my piebald cob Sparky, we came stone cold last but it was all for experience and he gave it his best shot, even if speed wasn’t his talent! Despite not going particularly fast, the feeling of going up the home straight was incredible and ever since, I’ve had thoughts of becoming a jockey.

Who has been your biggest influence getting into racing? My mum and dad have definitely been my biggest influences. My mum first got involved in racing at seventeen when she worked for a small trainer called Brian Doran in Broadway. She worked for DJ Wintle, Nigel Twiston-Davies and Emma Baker, where Emma gave my mum a few rides ‘pointing on Jolly Jake. Mum also had her own ‘pointer Spanish Main as well as riding Jo Collinson’s ‘pointer Wrens Island. She then found out she was expecting me, stopping riding at twenty-six weeks pregnant but carried on working until just before I was due. So, Dad took over the reins of riding her horses and this got him into riding and racing, and he started to ride out at Jonjo’s in the winter of 2020. He also rode in a charity race at Newbury in June 2022 on Powerful Hero.

How did pony racing play a role in getting you into racing? It’s played a huge role – pony racing has been one of the best things I have ever done. I had eight rides pony racing: four at Cheltenham, two at Wincanton, one at Ascot and one Warwick. Two at Cheltenham were on my cob Sparky, where we never finished high in the rankings but I gained great experience as he looked after me.

In ’24, I made my return to Cheltenham on Bowhayland Midnight (Midi). She was more of a sporty type and naturally had an engine. We finished fourth, which we were over the moon about, especially as she was originally bought as a hunter for Mum. Then, at Wincanton, we started to make our way up the placings to finish third. Midi started to know where she was, getting excited and ready to race.

This year, we went to Cheltenham and finished third. A couple of weeks later, we came second at Wincanton – so were getting closer to first! But, by far my best day in pony racing was getting to ride at Ascot. My plan before was to bounce her out in front and just go for it – it’s not every day you get to ride at Ascot! We got a great start, and she fought it out until about a quarter of the way down the home straight, where another pony came past us. I was not at all disappointed as Midi tried her heart out and to say we finished second at Ascot was just amazing! Although I never got the win I was hoping for, I’m planning to get that on horses!

Pony Club led to riding in pony races, including at Cheltenham and Ascot.

Right: photographed with dad Ryan and brother Barney.

How did you start riding out? On the Saturday after my 14^th birthday, Dad took me up to Jonjo’s for the first time, and I absolutely loved it. I had waited for years and it took a lot of persuading and nagging Mum and Dad to let me!

Trainers worked for: I mainly ride out for Jonjo and AJ O’Neill on Fridays and Saturdays during term time and I go up there nearly every day in my school holidays. In the summer of ’24, I started at Martin and Berlinda Keighley’s, doing evening stables on the weekends. I met some lovely people and horses. Recently, I’ve been doing one lot before school every Tuesday, after which Berlinda drops me and my two friends, Harry, who is her son, and Allegra Watchorn to school. The car journeys are always very entertaining, and once we didn’t make the full journey with Berlinda due to a flat tyre (much to our amusement as anything to be late for school!)

Last summer, Dad surprised me with a trip to Newmarket, which was just incredible. I was lucky enough to ride one lot out for George Boughey on board Brazil Power. It was so fascinating seeing how it all works in Newmarket – me and Dad loved watching on Warren Hill!

Once a week, Flo loves riding out for Martin Keighley - pictured here with Sean Bowen

How did you become the owner of Soaring Glory? Georgia Plumb, who had looked after him, mentioned to Dad that Soaring Glory (Sausage) needed a nice home. I was lucky enough to go and give him a try in the indoor school – as soon as I got on him, I loved him! We picked him up on 28^th October 2024 and have been trusted with him ever since.

Please describe Soaring Glory’s character: He’s just the loveliest boy, like a real life BFG. He is very kind and well-mannered on the ground. When being ridden, he loves everything – fun rides, cross country schooling, lessons and hacking. I think the important things in his mind and life are food and treats. He doesn’t turn down any treat and you will be his best friend for life if you give him his molasses Lik-It. The only thing we have to watch him with is when in the field, he wants to play so gets very excited with his front feet.

Racing hero: Joanna Mason on the Flat because she is a great inspiration for girls getting into racing. She’s always happy and smiley and seems like a lovely person. Over jumps, Nico de Boinville is an amazing jockey, who makes me laugh a lot. He gets a lot of stick and I’m not sure why!

Favourite racecourse: It’s 100% Ascot. It’s amazing and always looks so smart. I do also love a day out at Cheltenham as it’s only twenty minutes down the road.

Favourite day’s racing so far: My first time leading up, which was at Huntingdon with Ann d’Arabie. She finished second with Ben Macey on board. This was then bettered when Rukaana won at Windsor with Jonjo Jnr!

If you could go racing anywhere, where would you go? One day, I would love to go to Longchamp Racecourse in France, with my friend Allegra and we’d best take Harry Keighley with us!

Hopes and Dreams with horses: My ABSOLUTE dream is to be a jump jockey. I am nearly sixteen so will be hoping to get my amateur license sometime soon. Also, the entries and office work as a racing secretary fascinates me so that is another backup plan.

Favourite meal: Chicken Ramen from Wagamama’s.

Favourite drink: I do love an iced latte or a diet Coke.

Favourite snack: Pomegranate.

Favourite holiday destination: Frigiliana, Spain, where the paella is amazing!

Favourite book: Stable Lass by Gemma Hogg.

Favourite film: Elf or The Polar Express.

Favourite music: My playlists are also very random and change lots, but at the moment, I like listening to The Kooks, especially ‘Naive’.

Hopes and dream away from horses: I’ve never thought about a future without horses. I do love being around and looking after children so I thought about Norland College to become a Norland Nanny but I have now realised horses are my passion.

Pony Club camp on Soaring Glory, showjumping Cynthia for GSCE PE and leading up a first ever winner in Rukaana