Newmarket Town Plate: Teenager eyes anniversary triumph

Teenage rider Abi Thomas hopes her charitable efforts in the saddle can be rewarded by marking the 100th anniversary of the first female rider to win a race in Britain with an ‘amazing’ victory in the Newmarket Town Plate on the July Course on Saturday.

The 18-year-old will bid to add her name to the roll of honour in the historic prize, which was instigated by King Charles II in 1666, who is the only monarch to win the race in 1671, when partnering last year’s winner, Mac’s Xpress, for trainer, Clare Ellam.

This year’s race on Saturday is being run in honour of 1955 winner, the late Valda Embiricos, who is the daughter of 1925’s groundbreaking first female winner Elieen Joel, and mother to Alex Embiricos, winner of the 1984 prize.

And although Thomas admits to being a ‘little bit nervous’ at taking part in the race, which has been shortened to two miles and one furlong from its traditional length of three miles and six furlongs due to the dry summer, she insists that she is equally excited about the event.

Thomas said: “I’ve been riding generally since the age of two, showing, show jumping and doing dressage, so a bit of everything really.

“I started riding out for Clare, who is also my godmother, voluntarily, and I’ve always wanted to have a go on the racehorses.

“While I was studying at college in Shrewsbury, I was also riding out for Clare a couple of days of week. Around March time she asked me about taking part in this race and I said I would love to do it.

“I'm not going to lie, I am a little bit nervous, but I’m looking forward to it. We will see how it goes, but I’ve been training hard, and we will see what the day brings.

“It will be a great experience, and it would be amazing to win it on the 100th anniversary of the first woman to win a race.

“It makes you feel empowered watching the likes of Hollie Doyle and Rachael Blackmore do it.

“You then feel you can go do it yourself, especially as a young person seeing them ride the way they do ride, and the bravery they have is very inspiring.”

Not only will Thomas, who passed her A-levels in business, criminology and law last Thursday, bid to win the race she is also aiming to raise £600 for charity Spinal Muscular Atrophy, after the nephew of one of her work colleagues was diagnosed with the condition.

She added: “A lady that I work with at Clare’s yard called Amy Myatt, who is going to be at the races with me helping lead up and get ready, has a nephew called Louie, who is only a few months old, and he is suffering from this disease.

“I thought it would be nice to try and raise some money for them as they are like family to me. It is a very rare disease that he has got, and he has got to qualify for this costly injection to help him.

“It is a disease that will never be curable, but hopefully this jab will slow the process down. It is something that is close to home with Louie being connected to someone in the yard and it is something we all wanted to help with.”

Although, with youth very much on her side, Thomas, who lives in Telford, admits that meeting the levels of fitness needed to participate in the race has been a challenge in itself, but one she feels has brought about plenty of benefits.

She added: “I’m not going to lie - the training has been very difficult. I realised the hard work that goes into race riding as it is not a case of simply just turning up and having a go at it. There is a lot of training and effort that goes behind it.

“I was working one or two days a week riding out trying to keep my fitness up, then going to fitness classes in the evening, all while still doing my studying. It was a lot to balance, but I got through it.

“I’ve been going to classes every week and I didn't realise how unfit I was so that has been a great improvement to myself. I feel better in myself - I feel a bit stronger and when I’m riding out, I can feel the difference.

“I’m feeling a lot fitter, and healthier in myself, and I’m really prepared.”

As for her mount Mac’s Xpress, who is yet to win under Rules, Thomas believes there is extra weight on her shoulders with the gelded son of Mount Nelson having won the race in its full guise 12 months ago under Claire Howie.

But helping calm any nerves she has on the day will be the fact that in an among the crowd at the July Course cheering her on will be members of her family.

She added: “Mac’s Xpress won last year’s Newmarket Town Plate so that is something to live up to. He has been feeling good and training well up the gallops.

“He still hasn’t won under Rules yet, but he seemed to enjoy it when winning this race last year so hopefully it will be the same again.

“We know stamina is not a worry, and I have no doubts in him. I’m feeling hopeful, as he has been training really well.

“This will be something different for me and there are going to be a lot of emotions on the day, but my family has been very supportive.

“They are super excited and happy for me, and it will be great having them there getting behind me on the day.”