Trainer uses Twitter to book rider
English trainer Jamie Osborne has created a bit of a stir on social media by offering the ride on one of horses via Twitter.
Osborne needed a claiming apprentice for Secret Interlude, who he also owns, in a race for junior riders at Kempton on Wednesday with Georgia Dobie the lucky recipient.
“I was sat in the office on Sunday evening and I knew I would be leaving very early on Monday morning to go to the sales, when I realised I had no-one to ride the filly,” Osborne said.
“My apprentice, Lucy Barry, has ridden too many winners and none of the people who ride out for me fitted the qualification.
“I have no allegiance to anyone, so I thought it would be a fun way of doing it.
“When I put it out there I didn’t think it would create quite the interest that it did.
“Seven apprentices got in touch and with this being the year of the vote I thought it was only fair to do the same.”
“It’s nice to give someone a chance and it’s a fun way of doing it.”
The British Horseracing Authority confirmed there were no concerns with the booking.
“The choice of jockey is between owner and trainer, therefore, provided both are happy that this is how they will choose their jockey, and that the jockeys in question hold an appropriate licence, then there are no concerns,” a BHA spokesman said.
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