Point-to-Point Column: An era is over as Biddick retires from riding

Point-to-pointing was dealt a huge blow this week when Britain's most successful and talented jockeys, Will Biddick, announced his retirement from the saddle.

Explaining how it had been playing on his mind he said: “A conversation over Christmas with my wife Harriet led to the decision. I have lost the buzz. I am not broken and the sport has been great to me, I have had amazing days and I am very grateful for that.” 

Life changes and Biddick explained: “It got to the stage where each winner was just a winner and it wasn't exciting me anymore. It should be an adrenaline rush and I just have lost the obsession with it.” 

At 39 years old Biddick enjoyed an illustrious career spanning 23 seasons accumulating in a career total of 705 winners, 623 of those being in British points. 

He  secured the mens' title on eight occasions, a record he shares with David Turner and I doubt anyone will better his record of 68 winners in the 2014/15 season. 

Biddick rode a winner at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival aboard Something Wells during a spell as a conditional when attached to the Venetia Williams stable and upon returning to the amateur ranks his talents shone and led him to the top stages time and time again.

Although he failed to win a Chetenham Foxhunters as a jockey he did train Porlock Bay to win the 2021 renewal where Lorcan Williams rode due to covid restrictions. 'The one that got away' would be a fair summary. 

Career highlights include winning the Champion Hunter Chase at Punchestown twice aboard the Rose Loxton trained Caid du Berlais and in 2023 he guided Famous Clermont to win the Walrus Hunters’ Chase at Haydock and followed up in the Randox Foxhunters’ at Aintree in April. 

Growing up in Cornwall, his racing days have been mainly spent in the Devon, Cornwall and Wessex areas. Three members of the famous Barber family have been instrumental in securing Biddicks championships, firstly Richard Barber, then his grandson Jack and more recently Chris Barber. 

Former national women's champion Polly Gundry, who won eight championships during her riding career, now trains under Rules but remains very involved in pointing, with husband Ed training a string of pointers.

She commented: “Will wont mind me saying this - he turned from a Cornish bog-man into a very suave horseman. He was extraordinarily stylish and an amazing horsemen.” 

Weighing room colleague and dual champion trainer Josh Newman said: “I was so surprised to learn of his retirement. Will has been around such a long time now and you get so used to who is around you don't imagine a time without them. I wish him all the best, he will obviously stay involved but I am gutted I can't call upon him when needed!” 

Eleven-time womens champion Gina Andrews echoed these sentiments and said: “I was so sad to hear Will's news, end of an era! One of the best riders of our generation and I can't see anyone beating his records for a long time.” 

Biddick has long been the best and most admired point-to-point jockey in Britain. He has the most natural style over a fence and a beautiful pair of hands. I feel lucky and privileged to have ridden against him and he will long be looked up to by young jockeys aspiring to be like him for many years. 

No Drama This End continues to fly the flag for British winning point-to-pointers, adding Monday's Grade one Challow Hurdle at Newbury to his impressive record and allowing connections to look forward to a hugely exciting future. 

It was Biddick himself who was responible for riding and training him when winning a maiden at Badbury Rings in February 2024 and he said: “It is very special to think the horse has come through us.” 

However, despite Biddick saying he will not be joining the likes of Gundry in the ranks of the licensed trainers, we can be sure there will be continued involvement within pointing and it's likely that more top quality horses pass through his hands on the way to greater days under Rules. 

At Kempton Park on Saturday Olive Nicholls enjoyed a notable career success when guiding Viroflay to victory in the handicap chase. The eight-year-old who looked progressive as a young horse then missed two seasons due to injury returned too racing within the pointing circuit at Larkhill in November 2023 and in that sphere the partnership secured six victories and a hunter-chase also at Kempton. 

The winning jockey picked up the story, explaining: “I have adored Viroflay since the day he arrived. He is such a character. 

"When he picked up his injury he was going to need a long time off but being so young Dad and John Bolton bought him in the hope he may return to run in some points. Eighteen months later he came to Mum and I and we slowly got him back doing everything we could. He was a monkey and trying to get him settled to a fence was trying - his first run was more than amusing!

“He totally exceeded expectations thjough and third time out won the Coronation Cup at Larkhill. He sadly then had another big setback. I was also off through injury but it left his racing career uncertain.

"Miraculously he recovered and won the Coronation Cup again after a year off. He finished last season giving me my first ride in Ireland and finished a very respectable second to It's On The Line at Punchestown. That was hugely special to all of us.” 

During the summer Nicholls moved down to Ditcheat to take up the pupil assistant role to her father and it was decided Viroflay should go into training, see what happens and return to pointing and hunter chasing if needed. 

However all expectations have been exceeded and Nicholls concluded: “He has been second twice before winning on Saturday. He was electric, he gives me a feel no other horse has. I absolutely adore him, he has given me amazing opportunities as both a jockey and trainer.

"It makes it extra special to have been involved throughout all of his career and it is exciting to see what else he may achieve. I am so grateful to everyone involved and so thankful to everyone for their guidance and patience to help me keep him on the road.” 

Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 3AE. First race 12.30pm. 6 races 

Larkhill, Wiltshire, SP4 8QR. Gates open 9.30am, first race 12.00pm. 6 races.