OUR JOCKEYS
Team Ditcheat's superb team of riders
At Ditcheat we have a superb team of jockeys led by the top-class Harry Cobden assisted by Bryony Frost and Lorcan Williams, backed up by some up-and-coming conditionals in the shape of Bryan Carver, Angus Cheleda and Tom Buckley. We also have Diamuid Maloney, Peter Summers and Natalie Parker in the amateur ranks.
Obviously during busy days in the winter there are other opportunities for us to use riders like Sam Twiston-Davies and Sean Bowen, both leading National Hunt riders who ride out for the yard when their other commitments allow.
HARRY COBDEN
2015/16 was the first season Harry spent at Manor Farm Stables and he made quite an impression. Within months of arriving he recorded his debut Cheltenham victory aboard Old Guard, a month later winning the Grade 3 Greatwood Hurdle aboard the same charge.
Since the days of his champion conditional campaign Harry has not looked back and is now at the top of the roster of jockey’s in Ditcheat.
Since his appointment as stable jockey Harry has competed at the highest level with the composure and skill of a man far beyond his years. Wins in Grade One company have cemented his position aboard the likes of Topofthegame in the RSA Chase, Cyrname in the Ascot Chase, Politologue in the Tingle Creek, Bravemansgame in the Challow hurdle, Clan Des Obeaux in the Betway Bowl and King George as well as many others.
He is an exceptionally calm rider on the big day and in a short space of time has already established himself as a top class jockey, riding well over 500 winners in his burgeoning career.
BRYONY FROST
Daughter of legendary Grand National winning jockey Jimmy Frost. Bryony rode as an amateur jockey from the age of 16. She won the National Novice Title, the Devon & Cornwall title twice, Wessex area once and in 2016 the National Hunt Girl’s title. In March 2017 she rode her first Cheltenham Festival winner on Pacha Du Polder in The Foxhunters.
After turning conditional in the summer of 2017 Bryony has not looked back enjoying a champion conditional campaign (2018-19) with her finest victories coming aboard Frodon in the Ryanair.
Since that famous victory Bryony has not looked back. Her skill level rising all the time becoming a vital part of the team here. She has struck up excellent relationships with many of our horses and is no stranger to success at the highest level with wins in the King George aboard Frodon, the Denman chase aboard Secret Investor and Greaneteen in the Celebration Chase.
Bryony is a fantastic horse women who is a huge asset to the yard both on and off the track.
LORCAN WILLIAMS
Town you’re from: Amroth/Pembrokeshire
How you got into riding: Working hunters
Racing Hero: Barry Geraghty
First winner: Nicholasville for my mother and father
Favourite day in the saddle: Riding Porlock Bay to win the Foxhunters at Cheltenham festival
Dream as a jockey: I was lucky enough to achieve my dream last year but I would really like to win a graded race
Roast or bbq: Roast as it was a tradition for myself and family to have one on a Sunday
Bacon or sausage: Bacon as riding out for Rose and Sam Loxton for 3 season a sausage sandwich as lunch was a regular
Most annoying habit: being too hard on myself/situations and need to be more positive
Funny story about you riding: Diego Du Charmil’s win in the Byrne Group Chase at Ascot November 2019!
ANGUS CHELEDA
Angus joined us in the summer of 2019 having spent the past five years working for Dorset based trainer Colin Tizzard. From a family of farmers Angus has ridden ponies and horses his whole life and whilst he enjoyed his time at Colin’s he felt the time was right for a change.
Having spent a short time as a conditional rider Angus then turned back to the amateur ranks after joining Paul and has not looked back since. His target for the 2019/20 season to win the Point to Point novice rider championship was achieved along with a victory in one of Pointing’s most famous races, the Coronation Cup at Larkhill aboard Chameron, providing Angus with a memorable season. This was topped off by riding a winner under rules for Paul on Alcala at Haydock in February.
Angus is a hardworking, good humoured and likeable young man which makes him a hugely popular member of the team here at Ditcheat.
TOM BUCKLEY
Town you’re from: Cullompton – Hemyock
How you got into riding: parents got me a dartmoor pony at a very young age
Racing Hero: Sir A P McCoy
First winner: Point N Shoot at Exeter (Nigel Hawke)
Favourite day in the saddle: Winning on Breffniboy at Cheltenham.
Dream as a jockey: being champion jockey to make my family proud
Roast or bbq: roast
Bacon or sausage: bacon
Most annoying habit: weird facial expression while jumping.
Funny story about you riding: I rode in a 2 mile bumper at Chepstow when the saddle slipped after 1 furlong and then had to ride the rest of the race with no stirrups. I finished second and then slipped off the side of the horse after the line!
NATALIE PARKER
Town you’re from: Bilbrook near Minehead.
How you got into riding: My father and sister both rode so I just followed suit.
Racing Hero: Dickie Johnson
First winner: Dashing John at Treborough point to point for Audrey Manners trained by my dad.
Favourite day in the saddle: Winning on Virak at Ascot
Dream as a jockey: To ride around Aintree.
Roast or bbq: Roast.
Bacon or sausage: Sausage.
Most annoying habit: Always thinking I’m right.
Funny story about you riding: I think everyone found it entertaining a couple of years ago when I couldn’t hold one side of Saint Xavier when we were all schooling down on the loop gallop and for the same thing to happen three weeks later on Yala Enki.
