Our Coral Gold Cup Winning Jockeys Take To The Hot Seat

This new series – giving Coral Gold Cup winning jockeys the opportunity to commentate on their famous win – comes as part of Newbury’s collaboration with The Professional Jockeys Association, as the Racecourse looks to bring jockeys closer to racegoers. Leading broadcaster Richard Hoiles joins us for the series introducing our runners and riders.

First to the post is Mattie Batchelor with his 2011 Coral Gold Cup win aboard Carruthers.

The famous 2011 victory still stands as one of Mattie’s biggest successes, making this piece of content all the more special. Carruthers, bred and part-owned by Lord Oaksey, battled it out to the end, beating second placed horse Planet Of Sound by 3¾ lengths.

Mattie gamely calls home the last furlongs of what would go on to be a memorable victory for all connections, including trainer Mark Bradstock – Lord Oaksey’s son-in-law.

WATCH MATTIE BATCHELOR

Next up, Ben Jones with his 2019 victory on De Rasher Counter.

Ben’s first season as a professional jockey got off to a flying start with his win aboard De Rasher Counter for the well-known trainer Emma Lavelle.
Ben secured the win by 1½ lengths from The Conditional, who didn’t have the pace to match that of the star De Rasher Counter, who stayed on strongly.
Ben surpassed the 10-winner mark before the festive period, however nothing topped winning Newbury’s feature race, which set him on a trajectory of success not often seen in a jockey’s first season.

Ben confidently recounts the landmark day with his commentary on the final furlongs of the 2019 race.

WATCH BEN JONES

Newbury’s latest addition to our series sees Richard Johnson call home his victory in the 60th running of the Coral Gold Cup, aboard the racing legend Native River.

Trained by Colin Tizzard, the 7-2 favourite – Native River – secured his first Coral Gold Cup win under then Champion Jockey Richard Johnson. The pair battled to the end, finishing just half a length ahead of Carole’s Destrier, who took second place.

The 2016 running of the race was Richard’s 13th attempt to cross the line in front, having placed second twice in the past: once on Spendid in 1999 and again on Planet Of Sound in 2011.

Newbury’s 2016 Gold Cup weekend was one to remember for the whole team, producing the first win of the race for trainer, horse, and jockey.

WATCH RICHARD JOHNSON

Harry Skelton takes his turn in the commentary hot seat with his 2022 win aboard Le Milos.

On only his second start for Dan Skelton, Le Milos went into the Coral Gold Cup as a 9-2 favourite off the back of a comfortable win at Bangor-on-Dee under Harry Skelton. The pair ran well before challenging from four out and staying on gamely to win by half a length ahead of Remastered for David Pipe. The 2022 running of the race was the first victory for both Harry and Dan Skelton, making the win with the new stable star a memorable one. Harry calls home his first victory in the Coral Gold Cup.

WATCH HARRY SKELTON

The final jockey in Newbury’s mini-series which brought jockeys to the mic is Daryl Jacob, with his 2010 win aboard Diamond Harry for trainer Nick Williams. With the great Denman lining up amidst the 18 runners and riders, the pair had work to do against the 4-1 favourite. Diamond Harry ran on to finish a staggering 15 lengths ahead of the previous two-time winner Denman, who finished back in third, with Nicky Henderson’s Burton Port finishing 1½ lengths back in second. The Coral Gold Cup would go on to be Diamond Harry’s final win for Nick Williams before his retirement in 2014, following his last race under Daryl Jacob. Daryl recounts the momentous 2010 Coral Gold Cup victory.

WATCH DARYL JACOB