At twenty-five, Lucy Hammond has already led a busy and gratifying life within the racing industry. She is head of travelling to the joint licensees of Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole, a successful dual-purpose yard that is now sending out Flat winners as it had National Hunt winners for nearly twenty years. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, when jobs for the newly graduated were especially hard to seek, Lucy took up the role as a workplace instructor for Newmarket’s British Racing School, caring for racing’s greenest recruits.
Yet, it’s not surprising that Lucy loves working in racing as she has been immersed in the sport ever since she was born. ‘My parents, Mike and Zoe Hammond, rode in point-to-points and trained, Grandad owned racehorses and my brother Charlie Hammond is a professional jump jockey,’ Lucy underlies how much racing is in her blood. Even her higher education was related to racing; in 2021, she graduated with a first in Bloodstock and Performance Horse Management from the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
Flitting back to her older brother, Charlie, 28, she beams with pride at his accomplishments in the saddle. ‘I like to think we get along,’ she muses with a smile. ‘I’m sure I annoy him sometimes but he’s always there for me when needed.’
Born and bred in Droitwich, Worcestershire, Lucy still lives there now and her pets include the retired ‘pointer Milled (Murphy), cocker spaniel Basil and springer spaniel Sidney comes to stay when her parents are away. This winter, she will be tackling the travelling for Newland and Insole with as much vigour and conscientiousness, alongside that big smile, as she has with all her other roles.
Did you have a horsey childhood? Yes, we were very lucky to grow up with horses and ponies. I had a pony from a toddler, and we did all sorts of disciplines: hunting as well as Pony Club teams in show jumping, eventing and dressage. I made it to the PC championships in dressage and competed at Burghley, Gatcombe and Blenheim. I also pony-raced.
I had a mixture of amazing ponies: Cindy, Buster, Posy, Rosie, Chiumbo, Reggie, Molly and then moved onto horses, which included Murphy, Legend, Ronnie and Triptico.
Roles you’ve had in racing: I’ve worked for Dr Newland for almost ten years off and on, throughout school, college and uni. I also worked for Mark Loughnane, Amy Murphy, George Scott and Fergal O’Brien, which was mainly riding out. For the last twelve months, I’ve been doing the travelling and riding out for Dr Newland and Max Young, alongside working for the British Racing School.
For the last three years, I worked for the BRS as a Workplace Instructor, which meant I taught young students and guided them through their apprenticeships. I also did some lecturing on the foundation degree.
How much of an influence were your parents in you choosing to get into racing? A big influence! Until my early teens, I mainly competed in other disciplines and I only had a go at pony racing because Charlie broke his collarbone and the pony was available to ride. I got the bug and decided it was easier to pony race when mum and dad had runners than try to compete elsewhere! So, I did pony racing in the winter and eventing and show jumping in the summer.
Were you ever a jockey? I had about forty rides and three winners. I also had rides as a Category A amateur before uni and covid took over. I’ve had one ride since covid but we lost our lovely horse Ronava and I haven’t race-ridden since. I would love to have another go should I have time around work.
What are the best aspects to working with racehorses? The horses are incredible. It’s such a satisfying job when things go well. In general, people are like-minded and easy to work with too!
What are the worst aspects to working with racehorses? Definitely when a horse suffers an injury. They become part of the family and it can be devastating.
Favourite racehorses: Ronava was our family horse. In the first season we had him, I had two winners from four rides on him. He then went on to win another two for Charlie under Rules that same season. Lost Legend lived up to his name and was a legend! To be honest I was very lucky with all horses I rode. Snuker should get a mention for being my first winner.
At work, some of my favourites would have included Le Patriot, Beau Bay, Royale Knight, Enqarde and Aaron Lad. It’s hard to choose because we have had some really lovely horses over the years.
Favourite racecourses: Cheltenham because of the atmosphere and it’s local! But, I also love Fakenham as it’s very country and a good day out. Plus, I have a hundred per cent strike rate riding there…ha ha.
Favourite racecourse canteen: That’s difficult to say. Stratford is good, they have plenty on offer and it’s usually fresh food. Some canteens have really upped their game lately.
Lucy hunting on Milled, a first winner on Snuker and at Deauville this summer
Favourite trainer: I’d probably best go with the Boss! Dr Newland has a knack for finding horses such as Beau Bay, who climbed up the ratings and won multiple races when in his care. I think he was claimed for £4,000 and won the Grand Sefton at Aintree, plus races at Wetherby and Doncaster to name a few.
Favourite jockey: I think there would be a family fall out if I didn’t say Charlie, but Richard Johnson, AP McCoy and Rachel Blackmore are all admirable.
Who is your racing hero? Hmm…hard to say, I admire elements of a lot of different trainers and jockeys. I think McCoy will be hard to match with his stats.
Do you prefer Flat or National Hunt? National Hunt any day although I am getting more used to the Flat racing!
Has racing ever taken you abroad? This summer, I got to go racing in France to Deauville, which was good fun. I even tried some snails, but they weren'[t for me!
How did you get your role at the BRS? In 2016, when I was seventeen, I completed work experience at the BRS helping on pony camps and I also worked there part-time assisting during uni holidays. Then, after I graduated, the BRS offered me the workplace instructor role. I was lucky to get the job as it was during covid and finding jobs wasn’t easy.
Was your age been an advantage or a disadvantage in that role? Ninety percent of the time, it has been an advantage as the students could relate to me. Also, they saw me box-driving at weekends and they seemed to respect the fact I have current knowledge of racing. Of course, some tested the boundaries but, on the whole, being closer to their age range was helpful.
What was the best part of the job? It was definitely seeing those students who were less interested in academia or who struggled to motivate themselves to complete the qualification, finish and take their exams. They were proud of themselves and you knew the hard work paid off.
What was the worst part of the job? Students ignoring me…ha ha. It was hard to make appointments and, sometimes, messed up the whole week !
Plus, I couldn’t get rid of them once they finished their qualifications because they often sat in on more lessons than when they were on the program. I’m joking about this being a bad point because it’s really lovely when they wanted to keep in touch and keep learning. Often, they spoke to me more than they did when they were students, and past students always want to catch up when we see each other at the races.
In your opinion, how did the staffing crisis in racing occur? Sometimes, the lifestyle is a shock to some people. Although yards have become better at reducing the number of Sundays and afternoons staff work, and increasing pay, racing can still be long, unsociable hours. All these improvements need to continue to be developed. In general, we have become a disposable society; people go through fads and some see racing as a fad or a phase.
In your opinion, do you think the future of racing is secure in relation to animal rights? It’s a worrying time for racing. Whilst many of us working in racing know the veterinary work being put in to improve the situation, animal rights activists are reluctant to educate themselves and fail to realise how many injuries can occur to horses in a field or in light hacking work.
In which ways has racing changed for the better? The British Horseracing Authority have become stricter on horses with pre- and post-race inspections and staffing conditions have improved, but obviously everything can improve further.
In which ways has racing changed for the worst? There is a lack of people sticking in racing, which means there’s a lack of senior staff to train those less experienced to a higher standard.
What does racing mean to you? It’s a way of life. I love the thrill of taking horses racing, socialising at the races and seeing horses progress. It’s very rewarding.
If you didn’t work in racing, what job would you be doing? Probably something else with horses, maybe teaching. I enjoyed lecturing on the foundation degree so that could be an option, I have also looked into equine chiropractor or physiotherapist.
Favourite meal: Steak and chips.
Favourite drink: Hot chocolate.
Favourite snack: Any sweet or biscuit, but especially chocolate digestives.
Favourite holiday destination: Anywhere that’s not above 30 degrees as I burn too easily. I’d love to go skiing again.
Other hobbies/interests: I have my retired ‘pointer who I play around with doing the odd clinic but he’s eighteen now, and I have also my dog.
Hopes/dreams/aspirations for the future: I’d like to get back race riding for another season, as well as continuing with career progression and finish my house renovations!
Favourite music: Whatever is on the radio, but I quite like artists like Luke Combs.
Favourite film: I haven’t watched a film for about five years. I think the last I watched was Me Before You so I’ll go with that!
Favourite book: I’m not a reader but McCoy’s and Mary King’s autobiographies were good.
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