Point-to-Point column: Ed Doggrell a name to note

There are many stories of perseverance and determination in point-to-pointing, but few have enjoyed such a remarkable transformation than Herefordshire-based Ed Doggrell.

Born into a Dorset farming and hunting family, horses were always going to be prominent in his life and working for Colin Tizzard ignited the racing interest. After making an encouraging start between the flags Doggrell stepped away for six years and focused on working on the family farm and in hunt service with the Taunton Vale.

He returned to the sport in November 2024 with purpose, riding a treble at Cothelstone in April 2025 and finishing the season on nine winners. Last season started well, momentum rolled and it proved to be the campaign in which he announced himself as one of the leading male riders, finishing third on 36 winners in the Men’s national title.

Never has the phrase ‘Keep yourself in good company, and your horses in bad’ been more relevant. Surrounding himself with some of the most respected names in the sport, eight-time men’s national champion Will Biddick has been a huge guide and support, providing him with endless winners and his invaluable wealth of knowledge.

Based at the Herefordshire yard run by Chris Barber whom he has been friends with since school has proved vital in Doggrell’s development. He said: “I work for Chris in the mornings, except a Wednesday when I go to Will Biddick’s. My afternoons are free to go and ride out anywhere else, otherwise I am fencing and keeping myself busy with a few other bits.”

Barber explained: “Ed is a very important part of my team, he is a natural horseman, excellent with the young horses and we will be doing all we can to provide him with as many winners as possible this season.”

Sunday at Buckfastleigh set the scene for a riding treble which saw him break through the 50-winner mark and the results have proved that last season was no fluke.

Doggrell said: “Last season was brilliant, finishing third in the championship meant a lot and was certainly not something I expected. Throughout the season I gained some top connections and support and obviously it would be brilliant to do even better this season, but we will see, one week at a time.”

The afternoon began when five-year-old debutant Strictlycommercial - trained by Biddick - took the two-mile-four-furlong maiden in impressive style, Doggrell says: “He is a smart horse, we haven’t been able to get out on the grass as much as we would have liked so to do it like he did suggests he is decent.”

The Maxios gelding now heads to Friday's Tattersalls Cheltenham November sale.

His second winner, also trained by Biddick, was aboard six-year-old Strolling Along in the three-mile maiden and his final leg was on the Darren McAlinden-trained Just Loose Change in the mixed-open. McAlinden said: “A winner with our first runner of the season was a great start to our season. Ed had won on him before; he isn’t the simplest horse in the world and Ed has been instrumental in getting it right with him.” He added: “Ed is a long-term friend, he has returned to race-riding better than ever, he is a top horseman and gives first class feedback.”

McAlinden trains a string of seven horses to run pointing and said: “I work full-time for Nikki Martin on Exmoor, and the pointers are a side hustle which we love doing. We will be supporting Ed as much as we can.”

For a jockey whose rise gathered considerable momentum last season, the Buckfastleigh treble was more than just another successful Sunday. It was further evidence that Ed Doggrell has become a jockey to follow having established himself firmly within the sport. With dedication, a willingness to learn and undeniable natural talent teamed with the experience of established horsemen around him, the support of powerful yards and the involvement in developing many of his rides, it is certain, with a bit of luck, he will be at the top of the grassroots sport for years to come.

Woodstock Octo in winning action in front of the Racing TV cameras last month

Woodstock Octo heads to Cheltenham tomorrow in a bid to follow his recent win at the course. The John and Sonia Gardener owned six-year-old was a prolific winner between the flags last season winning six and assisting Josh Newman to secure a third Foran Equine National Trainers Championship. Now switched to the licensed yard of Newman’s wife Kayley, he now lines up in the Grade two Novices’ Hurdle and she said: “It is a huge step up but we have to run and see where we are, he won nicely last time and deserves this opportunity in graded company.”

Unfortunately, this weekend we have no fixtures. Due to unforeseen dry weather Dunsmore is abandoned and Garthorpe is rearranged for 20 December.

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