JOSHUA BRYAN
Please FOLLOW Josh on TWITTER @joshy_bryan
My latest ‘PIGEON RACING’ jockey interview sees me speak to a young rider who celebrated his first success in June at the 16th time of asking and has since ridden two more winners
Joshua Bryan, who recently turned 17, is nephew to Welsh wizard trainer Peter Bowen and is a young jockey to follow, especially as he is based with the master of finding new talent, Andrew Balding
21 August 2016
Date and Place of Birth
13th August 1999 in Shrewsbury
Who inspired you to get into racing and when did you first realise you wanted to be a jockey
Mum and Dad got me riding from an early age and they got me a racing pony which inspired me to become a jockey, and I must of wanted to be a jockey when I was about 9 aha I loved going flat out and having races with my brother on my little 11 hand pony
What age did you first ride / first actual race ride
I had my first pony which I could ride with no one holding me when I was about 7, and I was 12 when I had my first pony race, and 16 when I had my first professional race on April 16th at Wolverhampton on PRINCESS ROANIA
What time do you get up in the morning
Half 6 ready for 7
Which stable(s) do you work for or ride out at the moment
Andrew Balding
What are your strengths and weaknesses
Id like to think that I am strong in a finish and tactically good in a race. My main weakness is probably that I need to be more patient and let the race unfold itself
Who are your jockey idols you look up to or maybe base yourself on
I’ve always admired Ryan Moore, he is the real deal, he is so professional, stylish and the strongest jockey I’ve ever seen, (also very easy to talk to in the weighing room). I also looked up to Richard Hughes! He timed all of his rides to perfection and was incredibly stylish considering how tall he was
What was your first winner and where
Princess Roania at Bath (June 29th)
Josh has since won on Smoky Hill and Generalyse
Which would you regard as your biggest win
I’ve only had three so far and i would have to say my first one as it was for my uncle
Which racecourses do you like best
I love Ascot and also Leicester (100% record there) and probably Wolverhampton, I get too many seconds or thirds there aha
Who gives you your best advice
Oisin Murphy helps me a lot and is always giving me advice, also Eddy Greatrex helps me, day in day out
What is the best horse you have ever ridden
My favourite horse I’ve ridden has got to be HEAD SPACE (above) he is an old legend and in all five starts that I’ve rode him, he’s placed every time! And I would of loved to have sat on Frankel! Even if I was trotting him around the school aha
The best horse…. Hmmm, I would have to say SUNBLAZER (below) for Kim Bailey
Who are your best mates in the weighing room
David Probert, Eddy Greatrex and David Egan is a laugh too !!
What’s worst part of the job
Travelling to the races, and having to keep on a diet
What hobbies or sports do you like to watch or play away from racing
Like football and fishing
Food and drink
Chicken in breadcrumbs, coffee and flavoured sparkling water
TV and Films
I love The Hobbit trilogy and Game of Thrones
Music
Justin Bieber and Drake
Which course would you like to ride a winner at this year
York or Ascot
How do you like and compare the different All-weather surfaces/courses
Yeah they’re great especially when the ground on the turf is too soft or too firm
If you were put in charge of racing for one day what changes would you make
Raise the minimum weight
What are your ambitions for the near future
To just keep riding as many winners as I can
Can you give readers a horse to follow for the rest of the season
SOUTH SEAS, one of Andrew Baldings two-year olds for Qatar, unbeaten so far and should keep progressing
Big thanks to Josh for his time and best of luck to him for more winners soon including this week when he has a few booked rides including at Lingfield, Leicester and Ffos Las
