In a time when the future of point-to-pointing is not at its rosiest with track closures and the lingering debate over hunting, amateur jockey James King remains refreshingly optimistic. At 28, James has youth on his side and this one-time Champion Amateur under Rules and three times ‘pointing champion, including last season, has a lot of talent too.
Many winners have past since James rode his very first one on the ex-National Hunt Presentandcorrect on his first ride, then trained by Tim Sage at Lockinge in 2013. It then took a whole year to ride his next one, ironically in the same race at the same meeting. Yet, the winners have continued both in ‘points and under Rules alike. So far, James has ridden two Aintree Foxhunters’ victories on Dineur in 2017 for Mickey Bowen and Cousin Pascal in ‘21 for Joe O’Shea, plus the ‘16 Mandarin Chase at Newbury on Potters Cross for Rebecca Curtis.
James winning the Lord Ashton of Hyde Cup on Oscar Montel at Cocklebarrow Races in January '24
Having grown up near Stroud, Gloucestershire, James was never far from racing. Plus, his father was once the Racing Post’s West Country correspondent Andrew. James lives in Warwickshire with his girlfriend Sophie and their two young boys, two-year-old toddler Charlie and as yet, unnamed one-month old son.
Did you have a horsey childhood? Very horsey, lots of Pony Club and hunting – I was always in amongst horses. My family have always been involved with horses and racing was always on the telly so I was immersed in horses from a young age. I played other sports but horses took centre stage as I got older.
What is your first racing memory? At the weekends, my Grandparents would always have Channel 4 Racing on, and I like John McCririck and John Francome. My godfather was the late trainer DJ Wintle and I remember him running the very successful The Gopher.
Was it always inevitable that you'd go into racing? From a young age, I suppose it really was inevitable, and like every wannabe jockey I wanted to be the next AP McCoy.
Winning at Fontwell on Highgrove Percy in 2016, Hitroadjack at Umberleigh in '22 and that first Aintree Foxhunters' win
Did you ever consider turning conditional? To be a good amateur is more satisfying than being a run-of-the-mill professional jockey. I’d rather be a big fish in a small pond rather than the opposite. After I'd been champion amateur under Rules, for a time I thought I might turn professional. Being tall, even though I don't struggle with my weight tall, meant I decided to stay as I was, riding nice horses in point-to-points as opposed to struggle to make ends meet under Rules. There's been a lot more scope and I've had very good seasons in the past couple of years. Now, I am reaping the rewards and that choice to stay amateur is paying dividends.
Which trainers have you worked for? After initially leaving school, I worked for Paul Nicholls for three seasons. It was a brilliant learning curve. Whilst there, I didn't ride in races very much but I learned a lot riding out and schooling with very good jockeys.
After that, I was at Neil Mulholland’s for two seasons. Neil was very good to me; it was another great learning curve and I rode him quite a few winners. The first season I was there I was champion amateur under Rules and went pretty close the following season. In the next year, I was freelance and I rode out for a bit for Will Biddick as well as riding out and schooling for a lot of different trainers. The following year, Charlie Poste and Francesca Nimmo offered me the job as their stable jockey so that's when I moved to Warwickshire, and have been here ever since.
Even though I don't ride out for Charlie and Fran anymore, I still ride out for Olly Murphy as much as I can. They are good to me and let me fit riding out around in the point-to-pointing, letting me get away early for races and schooling.
Favourite racecourse under Rules: I've had two very good winners at Aintree when winning the Foxhunters’ twice so I’ve got to say there.
Favourite racecourse between the flags: I used to really enjoy riding at Lystep, which was recently closed. I was lucky enough to have a lot of success there. Of the remaining tracks, I love riding round Bratton Down and Chaddesley Corbett, which isn't far away and I've ridden with a lot of success there.
What have been your best days in racing so far? Winning two Aintree Foxhunters’ were absolutely brilliant, especially second time. It was a whole lot sweeter. The first time, it didn't really sink in because I was young and naïve, and thought it would happen every year.
What are the races you'd most like to win on the Rules and between the flags? To be honest any race under Rules and any race ‘pointing. At the beginning of each ‘pointing season, my main aim is to be champion jockey so riding any winner is brilliant. Under Rules, my aim is to ride a winner at Cheltenham, which I haven't done yet. A Cheltenham Foxhunters’ would be great then I'd have the pair of the big ones.
Gentleman Amateur NH Champion Jockey in 2016-17
How secure is the future of point-to-pointing? It's always up going to be against it. A lot of people are glass half empty as opposed to half full. I think the transition of the Labour government coming in makes hunting in real doubt but I think point-to-pointing will continue. They will come together as a community to hold club meetings and club races as opposed to hunts holding them.
I think ‘pointing will survive as racing support so many livelihoods from farriers, feed merchants, vets etc. It's a huge industry that's becoming more professional the whole time so it'll find a way of surviving.
National Champion Point-to-Point Jockey 2023-24
What do you love about racing? Everything. The horses, the people... It's all just amazing. It's so closely knit and everyone looks after everyone else. It's fun to be a part of and have success within it.
Favourite meal: Anything that's cooked for me.
Favourite drink: Coffee on the many early starts that I have.
Favourite snack: Anything!
Favourite film: I like easy watching and I've got into a few documentaries recently and captivating series, like Yellowstone.
Favourite book: I like reading articles on the Racing Post as well as watching features on Racing TV and At The Races on trainers and jockeys.
Favourite music: I listen to the radio and podcasts whilst in the car.
Favourite holiday destination: I very rarely go on holidays but I imagine we'll start taking the boys away and have some downtime together in the summer.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future? Nothing too long sighted at the moment but to keep, hopefully, riding plenty of winners, to be champion again and for those owners and trainers to keep supporting me. As long as they keep putting me up then I must be getting on OK.
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