It was a day to remember at Ballingarry last Sunday for Sophie Carer when she partnered her first winner when guiding Croi Corcora to victory in the mares’ winners-of-three for her boss the champion handler Colin Bowe.
Originally from England, the 23-year-old has benefiting from increased opportunities this season since joining Bowe’s Milestone Stables.
Name: Sophie Carter
Age: 23
From: Oxford, England
First Winner: Croi Corcora – Ballingarry
How did you get started with horses?
My mum always had horses, she got me into eventing at the start and then I moved into team chasing and a racing yard.
I started off with Eve Johnson Houghton in England, I started on the flat because I was light and I knew it would tidy me up a bit. Then I came over to Ireland.
Initially I was only coming over for the one summer to school horses, I thought that the racing was a bit more competitive here and that I would learn more. I was working with Emmet Mullins for a while before I came down to Colin’s.
Initially I was only coming over for the one summer to school horses, I thought that the racing was a bit more competitive here and that I would learn more. I was working with Emmet Mullins for a while before I came down to Colin’s.
How did you end up moving to Colin’s yard?
It was mainly because I wanted to do more schooling and improve my riding. I knew if I was to do that I needed to join a point-to-point yard, because you would be schooling the whole time there, especially riding the younger horses.
I knew that Colin was the champion handler and that all the jockeys riding for him would be very good and they would be there to help you improve.
How have you found working in a big point-to-point yard?
Rob James and Barry O’Neill have been very good to me, helping me to improve. When you are schooling up the strip, they would give you pointers of what to do, or if you are riding horses in a race that they have sat on, you can ring them up and ask them what way to ride the horse. They would always be helping, not just looking out for themselves.
Colin has been very good to me too and I have definitely come on a lot. Before I hadn’t any experience jumping and I didn’t expect to get the amount of rides that I have. He has started putting me on five-year-old’s recently, so I am very grateful for all the support that he has given me.
In fairness, with all his horses being sales horses, it is very hard for him to jock the novices up on them because obviously you are wanting them to go well, but he has been very good. Colin gave me Getaway Lodge this season to ride in races to get the experience that I needed, so I was very lucky to have that.
You had you first winner on Croi Corcora - was it expected?
I didn’t really expect to get the ride, so I was delighted. I found out that I was going to be riding her on the Friday.
I rang Barry the night before about her and he said that she obviously has very good form going on her point-to-point record, but she had dropped down since going on the track, so they said they would bring her back pointing to get her eye in. She came in great form, so everyone is delighted with that.
Barry had told me that she can be keen in her races, so if I wanted to sit second or third do, but if she starts getting keen just let her go in front and then she will settle. Having been fresh after 200-plus days off, I said I would go out and make the running and then control it from the front.
It was very helpful having had a couple of rides at the track on Saturday, because I had a better idea about how to ride the track. It was my first time there on Saturday, all season long it has been my first time riding at all these tracks really - it has really all been a learning experience.
It is still a bit of a shock to be honest that I have had a winner, I didn’t expect it, especially in my first season. Last year, we lost my dad, so it was a tough time. It was nice to be able to have a good season with Colin and the support that I have had from him has been unreal.
Who are your biggest influences in racing?
I would definitely say the lads in the yard, Rob and Barry, I look up to them. I am always watching them ride the whole time.
Obviously Rachael Blackmore too, because she has been great for all women in racing, so I would look up to her too.
Are there any young riders that you think people should watch out for?
Any of the young lads in Colin's have had a good season, he has been very good to all of us. There is Ross Berry, Eoin Staples and Bertie Finn.
What would be your ambitions for the future?
I have got my C licence so I am hoping that I will be able to get a few spins in the ladies races on the track when they come up in the summer.
I want to try and pick up another couple of winners and hopefully then in a couple of more years I will have a chance at the ladies title, that would be the biggest goal.
