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Big season coming up for Sam as one of the more 'veteran' jockeys
What's the first thing you think of when you think of Sam Twiston-Davies? Top class jockey who's strong in the finish? Lovely fella with great manners? One of the good young jockeys coming through? I'd agree with them all except for the young bit. Far from being close to retirement, Sam is actually 28, but having been around for a number of years, he's actually one of the most experienced in the weighing room.
It's now 2021, and a number of changes have happened in the career of 'STD' since 2014 when he joined Paul Nicholls as number 1 stable jockey. Sam is now freelancing having left Nicholls back in 2018 after a mixed career at the Somerset yard. Lacking confidence at times throughout his time with Nicholls, although he never hit the heights as some expected, his mixed campaigns coincided with a huge change in the horse Paul Nicholls was bringing through. The pendulum had swung from Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson dominating in the late 2000's for a few years, to the best horses now being bought by rich owners in Ireland. In the time that Sam was at Nicholls, Nicholls had to change his philosophy in the horses he purchased and Sam was lacking in riding true grade 1 horses.
Things were also tricky with his mentality whilst at Nicholls too. Sam would be the first one to admit he suffered with confidence problems, and especially dealing with the trolls on social media who were straight on his case if he ever made a mistake. For a top class jockey who took on such a big job at 21, you clearly have to be ready to ignore all doubters and believe in yourself and your ability. That's not to say Sam didn't have that, but he suffered with confidence issues growing up like we all do. At 21, I couldn't even wipe my own arse, let alone take on such a high profile role. What was clear for Sam, the experience with Nicholls full time definitely helped him learn, grow and improve as a jockey not only in ability riding horses, but his mentality and personality too.
After leaving Nicholls in 2018, it also coincided with the retirement of a horse who kickstarted his career. The New One, a favourite of many a punter, earned over £1 million in his 40 race career under rules. The New One was the horse who really propelled Sam into the limelight after his win in the Neptune. A memory for many a punter including me after Pont Alexandre was all the rage in the antepost market, before being absolutely spanked by The New One and his young jockey. The retirement of such a legendary horse who did so much for Sam, was also a little bit of a blow too as the The New One constantly kept him and his father, Nigel, in the headlines.
Now we are in July 2021, this is a huge season coming up for him. The recent retirements over the last few years in the shape of AP McCoy, Ruby Walsh, Choc Thornton, Noel Fehily and the surprise retirement of Richard Johnson last season, has given Sam a huge opportunity to become one of the most reliable, trusted and experienced jockeys around.
It's come at a good time for Sam to take the lead as a reliable jockey for punters, owners and trainers. Coinciding with his obvious improvement in his mentality and confidence, which has soared over the past couple of years, you also won't find a stronger man in the finish than him either. Tactically very astute too, his ride on bumper winner Tiger Orchid at Worcester yesterday (05/07/2021) showed his tactical nous yesterday. Making all after the horse was caught last time out in a slow pace (He wasn't on board on that occasion), it was something that shown Sam had clearly done his homework on the horse. This is just one very recent example of many in terms of the homework done by him too.
21 winners already in the bag this season and riding regularly for Dr Newland, his father and Neil Mullholland, big things are expected this season when the National Hunt season proper returns. His superb ride on Clan Des Obeaux at Punchestown Gold Cup in April, shown how he's come on leaps and bounds. Turning up for one ride that day, he rode with no fuss and got the job done in a top class field. The fact that Nicholls turned to Sam also shown how highly his former mentor still thinks of him.
After achieving big things as a jockey in his youth, Sam endured a tough middle career. However he is now starting to click into gear to become one of the more experienced and trustworthy jockeys around. Although he may lack riding top class graded animals, it's no doubt in my mind that Sam Twiston will go on to cement himself as the go to jockey for punters, trainers and owners, and a big season awaits one of the 'elder statesmen' in the weighing room!
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