Denton Hall News

Winning by smiles - Rhys Elliott on life as an apprentice jockey

As National Racehorse Week starts at the weekend – celebrating an industry employing thousands across our region – PETER BARRON finds out what it takes to be a jockey

AS a young man living his dream, it’s no wonder Rhys Elliott wears a winning smile as he heads to the gallops on a glorious stretch of County Durham countryside.

His working day starts at 7am and he admits – with another smile – that he’s “not the greatest at getting up in the morning”.

But once he’s amongst the horses at Michael Dods’ stables in the village of Denton, near Darlington, the likeable teenager comes alive.

“This is all I’ve ever wanted to do – I love it,” says Rhys over a cuppa after the morning workout.

So far, he’s ridden 11 winners in 2024, with more and more trainers booking him to take advantage of the 7lbs allowance apprentice jockeys are granted in the early stages of their careers.

Rhys will be among the stable staff taking part in an open day at the Denton Hall stables on Monday morning as part of National Racehorse Week. An annual celebration of the industry, racing stables nationwide will open to members of the public who have registered for a place.

Horseracing is a huge industry in the North East and North Yorkshire, with two of the country’s leading training centres situated at Middleham and Malton.

In Yorkshire alone, the sport contributes more than £300m a year to the county’s economy, and supports more than 3,600 full-time jobs, according to a major study by the Centre for Regional and Economic Research at Sheffield Hallam University.

Leading County Durham trainers, such as Denton's Michael Dods, and Rebecca Menzies, near Sedgefield, add to the economic impact across the wider region.

National Racehorse Week is an attempt to showcase the sport and give people an insight into what happens behind the scenes at what amount to equine five-star hotels, run by stable staff who simply love horses.

For a lucky few, like 18-year-old Rhys, there's the chance to make it to the top and be the next Frankie Dettori.

“I want to win The Derby one day,” says Rhys. “You have to be ambitious, don't you?”

The dream began when Rhys was growing up in Hawick, on the Scottish borders, and he started attending pony riding classes when he was six.

“My grandad was a member at Kelso Races and he used to take me with him – we never missed a meeting,” he recalls.

Rhys was "never that interested" in school, but, from 13, he spent weekends working for local trainer Alistair Whillans.

He left school as soon as he could and joined the Whillans yard full-time, with ambitions to be a professional jockey.

Experience was gained by riding in flapping races – meetings held not under Jockey Club rules – at the likes of Hawick, Langholm, Selkirk, and Irvine.

After three years with the Whillans stable, the opportunity arose to move to County Durham to become apprentice to Michael Dods, a trainer with Group 1 successes to his name.

Rhys jumped at the chance, joining the yard in August 2022, and getting stuck into the daily routine of mucking out the horses and riding out on the gallops.

“I couldn't wait to ride in races, but Michael rightly insisted on taking it slowly and keeping my feet on the ground,” says Rhys. “He’s such a good trainer – firm but fair. If you make a mistake, he’ll let you know, but he’ll also praise you when you do well.”

Rhys had to wait until July 8 last year to be given his first ride for the stable. It came at Carlisle, on a horse called Langholm, and they came 10th of 12 – an undistinguished start, but a start, nonetheless.

This year has been a breakthrough season, with an agent, Paul Brierley, booking plenty of rides for Rhys, and the first winner came on May 17, when Astapor, trained by John David Riches, won at Hamilton (see picture below).

With a sponsor signed up – Main Flow Plumbing and Heating, from back home in Hawick – there was a sudden stream of winners.

Among them was an important first for the Dods stable, on Zuffolo in the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap, at Ayr, with the horse winning by a short-head in a thrilling finish.

“That meant a lot because it was for Michael who’s been my main supporter,” he acknowledges.

But it’s not just the glamour of riding races for a young jockey like Rhys. He still has to work hard back at the yard, no matter what the weather conditions may be.

He has his two allotted horses, Midnight Lir and Lightning Galaxy, to look after and, on some days, he might ride four ‘lots’ on the gallops. On others, it could be up to eight. Then it’s a quick shower before travelling to whichever racecourse he’s riding at.

On the way home, he’ll call his jockey coach, Phil Kinsella, to chat through how his rides have gone.

He also goes to see Phil twice a week for further analysis of his performances, and for fitness sessions on a horse simulator to perfect his technique.

He’s also a regular at Jack Berry House, at Malton, where he uses a gym and gets advice from a nutritionist.

Rhys is lucky because he doesn’t have any weight problems. At 7st 9lbs, there's no need to starve himself like many other jockeys, so he gets to eat plenty of pasta, chicken and steak for protein.

He’s also quick to pay tribute to the senior jockeys attached to the Dods yard – Connor Beasley, Paul Mulrennan, and Sean Kirrane – for their guidance.

“Everyone at Denton Hall has been so supportive,” he says. “It’s a great team who all want to do their best for the horses and the owners – it’s like a family.”

After more than 30 years in the business, and having trained more than 1,000 winners, Michael Dods has seen plenty of young hopefuls come and go, but he’s been impressed with the progress Rhys has made.

“He’s improving all the time,” says the trainer. “You have to have a good work ethic as well as talent, and he’s got both. He doesn’t mind working hard, he wants to learn, and he doesn’t have weight problems, so he’s got a lot going for him.”

So, what advice does Rhys have for other youngsters with ambitions to be a jockey? “Be prepared for long, hard days in all weathers, be patient, and enjoy it,” he replies.

Rhys knows there’s a long way to go. When he reaches 20 winners, his claim will be reduced to 5lbs, then 3lbs when he gets to 50. At the 95-mark, he loses his claim and has to compete with senior jockeys on the same terms.

“I just want to go on working hard, ride as many winners as I can, and see where it takes me,” he says with another beaming smile.

In his dreams, it will be the Derby.

• National Racehorse Week takes place between September 7 and 15. To register for a stable visit, go to: www.nationalracehorseweek.uk
• Main picture: Rhys Elliott rides his first winner for Michael Dods Racing on Zuffolo at Ayr