Pilot Profile - Tom Belamy

Marie Bridgwater talks to talented young rider Tom Bellamy

Quick stats ....
Age - 16
Height - 5ft 11'
Weight - 9st 5lbs
Favourite Colour - Blue
Favourite UK Racecourse - Cheltenham
Favourite Holiday - Salcombe - with my family
Favourite Meal - Roast Chicken

Whether you’re top drawer material, or climbing the bottom of the ladder, manners and modesty goes a long way in life. In the sport of kings it can be ruthless, fast paced and demanding, but your career can be short lived - so start as you mean to go on.

At just 16 Tom Bellamy is one of the many youngsters to be living out a lifetime dream. Hailing from a horse orientated family, it’s no wonder his DNA is full of equestrian ambition. Tom has worked his way up through the Pony Club ranks for many years, gaining confidence and experience, and has so far ridden 12 winners out of 58 rides in pony racing and recently ridden professionally over hurdles, making his debut at Ffos Las.

Every budding jockey could learn from him, maintaining your fitness, being modest, polite and gaining as much experience from in the saddle and listening to others advice.

Given your family background did you always want to be involved in racing?
Yes, I have wanted to be a jockey ever since I was born, I still remember riding a finish on the sofa arm! My Dad is ex jockey turned clerk of the course at Towcester and my Mum used to ride in Point-to-Points, her dad Raymond Quinn was a successful National Hunt jockey as well. Both my parents and my grandparents are unbelievably supportive of me and want me to succeed even more than I do!!

Pony Racing is becoming a huge starting block for jockeys, do you feel you would be this confident with your riding without it?
No it's been a huge help in all aspects and I wouldn't have a clue without it. I cannot wait to start riding in Point to Points and hopefully under rules as well. Dad's partner Kerry has a nice horse to get me started on which again is a great help. I was lucky to ride for Keely Harrison who had a few ponies for me and some others to ride.

Who do you mainly ride out for?
Martin Keighley

Is your brother wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Archie. No he wants to be a huntsman and to be fair he's very good with the hounds already.

Which jockey do you aspire to be like?
A P McCoy, he is the full package and much more.

Having Warren Marston as your God father, what advice does he give you?
He gives me loads of advice on all areas of the sport, but the main advice he gives me is to get my foot in the iron as opposed to just the toe. He is extremely helpful to me. The advice he gives me is invaluable which I hope pays off when I start riding in races.

Do you ride work with him?
Yes, most weekends at Martin Keighley's who also gives very good advice. I ride out for Martin Keighley and Kim Bailey who are both extremely good to me, letting me school and ride work with all the other jockeys., it’s invaluable experience for my future.

You had your first ride late November - talk me through how you were feeling and how you prepared for it…
Firstly, I went into Martin Keighley’s to school Ponchatrain the week before the race to make sure I had a good feel of him before the big day. I schooled with Warren and he seemed happy which gave me lots of confidence. I run everyday so I made sure I pushed myself a bit harder in the week before the race to ensure I was fit enough. I was a bit nervous before the race but excited more than anything, it was the day I'd been waiting for and I absolutely loved it!

The day you had your first ride, you were interviewed on At The Races, have you had any media training or been advised on any particular etiquette?
No, I haven't had any training, except from Dad - He kept telling me to speak clearly and be polite!

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
Get your foot in the iron, from Warren Marston. If I hadn't of done this at Ffos Las I would most probably fallen off at the first in the straight!

What are your plans for the future?
Well now I’ve got my licence, I want to get loads of experience in Point-to-Points so I will stay amateur for the foreseeable future, but if the opportunity arises to turn professional, I most certainly will because that is my dream.

Do you watch international racing?
Only the big meetings, like the breeders cup etc.

Off topic …

Who would you invite to a dinner party?
It would have to be - Mattie Batchelor, Michael McIntyre and Richard Phillips - although I wouldn't be able to tell Michael and Richard apart!

What’s your ideal car?
An Audi A8 - that’s when I'm old enough to drive one!

What music do you listen to?
Anything at all really.

Do you follow politics?
Not really, just whether we will ever get hunting back properly.

You have 3 things to take with you on a desert island, what are they?
Water, a woman and a horse.

Keep an eye out for Tom, he’s one young dedicated man. You can join him on face book just search for Tom Bellamy.

Marie Bridgwater