Flight Lieutenant Camilla Howard and The Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown

                It is with great excitement that I can give you all a brief on Flight Lieutenant Camilla Howard.  Camilla has been riding out for us since October last year with a view to riding in The Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown on Friday.  Camilla has passed her fitness test up at The British Racing School (which I can tell you is no mean feat!) and is awaiting news on her application for an amateur’s jockey licence.  Fingers crossed she hears soon!

                Camilla has secured herself a horse, trained by Seamus Mullins and has been schooling at Seamus’ as well.  We recently had a photographer to the yard to take some pictures of Camilla with Benozzo Gozzoli (the horse she has mainly been riding whilst here) as there is a wee bit of press excitement about Camilla riding in the race.  She will be the first female RAF jockey in The Grand Military and only the second RAF jockey in the race’s history.  Camilla is also following in the footsteps of her grandfather who rode in The Grand Military six times in the 1950s.  She has grown up around horses – from Pony Club to eventing and also qualifying point-to-pointers at her local hunt. 

Camilla has always watched The Gold Cup with her family at Sandown and has somehow managed to keep her training, assessments and application for an Amateur’s licence as well as a ride in The Grand Military a total secret from her family.  If you know Camilla and are reading this – DO NOT BLOW THE SECRET!  Her family are currently asking her about what she is organising for the picnic on the day and so far she is thinking how is she going to appear wearing her breeches and be all ready for the race with food certainly not on her mind!  This is going to be a real surprise for her family and I am sure her mother will be shedding a few proud tears.  Camilla is nervous and excited about the race and we are all keeping our fingers crossed that the horse stays fit and healthy until Friday 8^th March.  Good luck Camilla and fingers crossed!  I certainly think you are very brave.

Camilla Howard and Benozzo Gozzoli