An Interview with Lucy Turner

There aren't many jockeys who will go from riding a big race winner to leading up in a following race. It was a treat to interview amateur jockey Lucy Turner who, since leaving school, has been a major part of Venetia Williams’ Aramstone Stables.

Lucy, 31, won the 2023 Becher Chase on Chambard by thirteen lengths for owners David and Carol Shaw. That was her fifth win on ‘Chammy’, perhaps bettering her 2022 win in the Kim Muir but only by a whisker. ‘When Chammy is in good form he gives you a great feel!’ enthused Lucy. Her voice bubbles with excitement in recounting the memories of the big days they have shared together. ‘In the past, he hasn't been the best jumper and that's how I got the ride on him. At the start of this season, he ran really well at Cheltenham (when he was second in November) and jumped really well. Despite the doubters, I thought if he jumped as well as that then he'll be OK round Aintree. Also, I knew if he wasn't enjoying it then I’d look after him.’

Lucy’s successful riding career started in 2012 at Bitterly Point-to-Point, when she won the confined on Idole First. The winning trainer was Shirley Cadwallader, née Vickery, who had won the 1998 Horse & Hound Cup on Teeton Mill, trained by Venetia in her early days.

There are many links between people and horses alike in the Herefordshire area. Lucy’s Dad Philip had been Venetia’s head lad throughout those initial years of training. ‘Dad wasn’t horsey when he was younger but through his sister, he became horsey,’ explains Lucy. ‘He was head lad for old Michael Scudamore for a number of years, who’s retirement coincided with Venetia starting up so Dad went to Venetia’s as head lad. I think he was her first employee, and he stayed for twenty-four years.’

Lucy’s first winner under Rules was in a Warwick Hunter Chase on Pentiffic and she’s never looked back, tallying up so far, thirteen winners Pointing and twenty-five winners under Rules. Other notable successes have been on Burrows Park in the 2018 Tanners Hurdle for lady amateurs at Ludlow as well as a win in a novice hurdle in April ’21 on the now Gold Cup-contender L’Homme Press – only the winning margin hinted at the horsepower beneath her, a mere twenty-eight lengths. Paws For Thought, trained by Donald McCain, gave Lucy her first victory on the Flat last July at Chester, again for owners David and Carol Shaw.

Did you have a horsey childhood? I did a lot of Pony Club, mainly competing at tetrathlon. We went to the finals four years in a row and during our last senior year, we won at Hartpury so that was really cool.

How did you get into racing? Even though my parents worked in racing, they never forced me to ride but I really wanted to. From a young age, I also always followed racing even before I was interested in sitting on a pony. When I actually started riding ponies, that was that. It was natural progression following on from my parents into the industry – it was always going to happen.

My first weekend at Venetia’s was when I was thirteen, which was as soon as I was allowed to go, and I then worked weekends and school holidays. I was fast-tracked through the British Racing School and started full time in September 2009.

Is it true you'll be riding in races and then leading up the next time you're on a racecourse? I love looking after ‘my’ six horses at work and I like going racing with them. The ones I look after are Kapga De Lily, Realm Of Glory, Laskalin, Cloudy Glen, Didero Vallis and Camulus, who I got last month.

Favourite racecourse between the Flags: I love Didmartin. A few years ago, I rode a double there so I really enjoy it.

Favourite racecourse under Rules: I should probably say Aintree!

How did it feel to win at the Cheltenham Festival? It was just amazing. I can't put it into words. It was quite surreal, and I couldn't believe it had happened.

How did it feel to win the Becher and be the first female jockey to do so? Again, it was a ‘has that just happened to me?’ moment.

The feeling I had from both days was similar. From quite early on, I knew Chammy was going well and giving me a great feeling. I knew I had to pinch myself and keep a lid on it. He jumped the Canal Turn and took off again and I was thinking how cool he was! Only when we were coming up to the line at Aintree, did I think then that we'd actually done it.

What are the best aspects working at Venetia’s? Is a nice place to work, the horses are happy and relaxed and get turned out daily. Plus, you get to go racing with the horses you look after so it's very fair.

What kind of boss is Venetia? Venetia is a good boss – she's been very supportive. If you need to have a chat with her about anything, she's always there and she's been very good to me.

What is your daily routine at the yard? I muck out my five, ride out two lots, have breakfast and ride out another two lots. There is a small army of ground staff who do a lot of the turning out. I then work the afternoon shift. I turn out my horses if they haven't already been out and I'll do my skipping out and grooming before doing the medicals on my block.

Growing up, which jockeys did you admire? Nina Carberry and Katie Walsh were good role models. They were riding in big races and being female as well, I remember that was important to me from a young age. I also remember Carrie Ford winning the Foxhunters at Aintree and riding in the National.

Which jockeys do you admire now? Rachel Blackmore, who is an incredibly lovely person but also such a talented rider.

Which horse would you have loved to ride? I was a massive fan of Denman. He was really special. I love Golden Miller; that's going back a while so but he's still my idol.

What are the best aspects of being a jockey? Definitely winning!

Just riding over fences and me and the horse are in rhythm and they're jumping well, I’m seeing nice strides and we're having fun.

And, the worst aspect of being a jockey? Injuries.

Favourite meal: Pizza or a good salad.

Favourite drink: Coke Zero.

Favourite snack: I have a very big soft spot for Happy Hippos. I could eat a whole box in one go!

Favourite book: I love reading. I can't pick a favourite book but I really like the authors Lisa Jewell and JoJo Moyes.

Favourite movie: Dirty Dancing.

Favourite music: It depends on what mood I'm in so it changes but I listen to a lot of older stuff. Mum's got good taste in music so I take after her – maybe I'll say Rod Stewart.

Ideal day off: Just a relaxing day, doing the horses at home, having a read.

Favourite holiday destination: I’ve only been abroad a couple of times. Over the years, most of my holidays have been spent in Northumberland, seeing family. My bucket list-holiday is Iceland – the waterfalls look incredible.

Other hobbies: I love photography and I'm into crystals. Last year, I started making wire-wrapped jewellery.