Racehorses will always be a huge part of Ally Stirling’s life. A former employer once advised her to give up racing and return to higher education but Ally still succeeded in becoming an amateur jockey. Her pluck was fortified when she won the Leading Lady Rider for National Hunt award in 2014 and, a few years later, retired on fifty-two winners between the flags and under Rules.
Ally’s amateur career had as many good days as bad ones, and considers herself lucky to have suffered only ‘a few’ concussions and broken bones. She rode one success over fences at Cheltenham on Troika Steppes and successfully made it round the 2014 Aintree Foxhunters on Keenan’s Future. Despite being unseated first time out, another memorable moment was Ally making amends and winning on Poetic Rhythm the next time – he went on to become a Grade 1 winner over hurdles.
Being an amateur isn’t the only role that Ally has filled. Born in Hexham, Northumberland, Ally initially moved south to work as a groom for Henrietta Knight, before moving to Nigel Twiston-Davies’. There, she looked after Khyber Kim when he was second in the 2010 Champion Hurdle and, the following month, won the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle. She exercised Khyber Kim every day as well as Little Josh, who won the 2010 Paddy Power Gold Cup under her care.
In 2011, when Nigel’s longtime head lad Fergal O’Brien took out his own training license, Ally followed and has been there ever since. She has exercised many of his talented horses, including Lord Landen, Alvarado, Master Dee, Manothepeople and, most recently, Third Time Lucki. Through her good friend Brodie, Ally also spent a time riding out in Lambourn for Brodie’s husband Archie Watson.
Her present role is managing the boss’ accounts, including completing the partnership’s VAT returns. ‘I did the Secretary’s Course at the British Racing School and one day at Stratford races, Chris Coley, who is a massive part of the yard, asked me if I’d start working in the office.’ Since then, Ally has perfected invoicing, accounts and payroll, as well as learning to use Sage and Xero Databases. ‘I enjoy it, despite being brutal at maths. I also ride out two or three mornings a week, which I love.’
Living near Fergal’s yard in the village of Withington, Gloucestershire with her whippet George and housemate Eve Nicholls, who looks after Crambo, Ally continues to keep racing as an important part of her career.
Did you have a horsey childhood? My dad was a huntsman so life revolved around hunting. I got the ponies after my sisters and brother, who made them all nice. I loved competing in Pony Clun tetrathlons – the swimming, running and riding were fine but I couldn’t see the target in the shooting!
How did you get into racing? At school, I wrote to Henrietta Knight to go there for a gap year because I’d had my first few rides in point-to-points on a horse that my mum kindly trained.
Which were your best days as a groom? Any winner that I looked after was brilliant but my favourite at Nigel’s were Little Josh winning his Paddy Power and Comprimario winning a juvenile hurdle at Fontwell. At Ferg’s, it was always special when Lord Landen won, because he was a total weirdo but I loved him!
What were your highlights as a jockey? Riding my first winner Gud Day under Rules round Uttoxeter and completing the Aintree Foxhunters’.
Favourite racecourse under Rules: Perth for the great night out.
Favourite racecourse between the flags: Andoversford because it was always a good day out.
Has racing ever taken you abroad? In 2016, I rode on the snow in St Moritz, and finished second (pictured below, red and yellow colours). It was supposed to be a hurdle race, but the track wasn’t safe down the back straight so, when we were at the start, it turned into a four-furlong race. It was
a bit of a nightmare because no one spoke English, so they were trying to signal up the straight and where to finish!
I’ve led up at Punchestown, Listowel and Killarney in Ireland – I love going on the ferry!
I also did short stints for Jonathon Sheppard in Pennsylvania in the USA and Guillaume Macaire in France.
What has been your best racing celebration so far? Any party at Nigel’s and Ferg’s was always fun!
Describe your job now: It’s very varied. I work at Ferg’s two days a week and at a local farm office the other days.
What do you like about working in a racing office? It doesn’t really feel like a job, which is nice. Charlotte and Becky, who work full time in the office, are brilliant and we laugh a lot.
What do you love about racing? It’s a privilege to be involved with many nice racehorses and to see them win. Plus, I’ve met many lifelong friends through racing.
Favourite meal: My mum’s lasagne.
Favourite drink: Diet Coke.
Favourite snack: Chocolate.
Favourite holiday destination: Anywhere new!
Other hobbies and interests: Reading, dog walking, sleeping and running full and half marathons.
Favourite music: A real mixture but nothing too angry!
Favourite books: I’ve recently loved reading the Child 44 trilogy.
Favourite TV show: A League of Their Own.
Favourite film: Layer Cake.
Ideal night out: If you can get me out, I enjoy watching live sport.
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