Grassroots: Jack Clark

Point-to-Pointing never fails to make one smile and on Saturday at The Fife fixture at Pusk Farm, Scotland the opening Conditions Race was won by ten-year-old Everyday Champagne, ridden by Joanna Walton. His ever-young owner/trainer Jack Clark rode his one and only winner 56 years ago to the day at the Fife meeting, then staged at Balcorno Mains aboard Dauntless Prince so this victory brought added joy. Given a lovely ride by Walton Everyday Champagne jumped to the front four from home and forged clear to win by ten lengths.

Clark loves point-to-pointing and he proudly explained the history with this horse. He told me: “I bought him privately in the autumn from Nick Alexander, I have bought from him so he knows exactly what I need. This was his sixth run of the season, he has ran six times this season, running well a couple of times but he appreciated this better ground.”

Clark was born and bred in Lanark, half way between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Aged 16 he went to work in the livestock market and later his role for 49 years was working as a livestock auctioneer for John Swan and Sons.

He tells me about his early years and where the racing passion came from: “Aged three or four I was very fortunate to be put on a pony, I went hunting with my father with the Lillithgow and Stirlingshire Hunt during the late fifties and early sixties.” He continues: “My uncle, Craig Brown, farmed and trained National-Hunt horses and I am lucky that he gave me the opportunity to ride in races.” It was not a conventional start and he tells me: “He was adamant that I would learn more in a hurdle race than a point-to-point so I set sail aboard Inglis Green at Ayr and to my amazement finished third.

Enjoying point-to-pointing and hunting went hand in hand and Clark confirms: “In those days the season ran from February to  the last weekend in May. If a horse had been running under-rules it had to be out of training by the end of October so we would get them, hunt them, run them pointing and if they were good enough we would pop them back in training and run in a Novice Chase or two.” He adds laughing: “We had little success but lots of fun.” Clark rode just the one winner and had his last ride in 1976 but his enthusiasm for point-to-pointing has never faltered.

“Prior to training myself I had horses with Julia Furness, I kept one to hunt and point-to-point and she did a wonderful job for me and we enjoyed a lot of success. There was Mystical Air, Stonehatch and Supreme Day who won the Northern Area Leading Horse award twice.”

Clark finished in business 13 years ago and picked up the training himself from then, he says: “I decided I needed something to get me out of bed at seven O’clock on a Monday morning. Come rain/shine or snow, days like today make it all worthwhile.”

Clark has trained eight winners, Cooking Fat won four races for him in the 2021/2022 season and during covid Killer Crow finished second twice in two hunter-chases giving Clark some memorable days.

Clark is in the minority of trainers but just what we love to celebrate. Of Everyday Champagne he tells me: “I am so lucky to be able to do this. I can ride him out each day, I have trail-hunted him once, I can do him in the stable and he is the easiest horse to deal with. Then I leave it to Joanna to ride him in the races!” Clark and I shared a giggle on Saturday when he admitted to always having a driver to get him home from the point-to-points. “I do, I am very lucky to have the help of Rachel Redburn who leads him up and Sarah Finlayson who plaits him and drives us home! We have also won five best turned-outs this season so we are doing well!”

Clark’s employment of jockey Joanne Walton goes back a long way and he says: “She is a local girl, I did business with her late-grandfather and have known the family a long time. She rides very well and uses her head.”

When I spoke to Clark on Tuesday it was clear he was on cloud-nine following the weekend’s victory and reported his little  ‘Champ’ to be in top form. “He had Sunday off, I walked him out yesterday and this morning, then he will go in the field Wednesday because I am at a cattle sale. Thursday and Friday I am off to Punchestown, I dare say he will be fresh when I get back on board!”

And isn’t that what it is all about!

My last question to Clark ignites some reassuring thoughts, you can guess what it was. “The scene has altered. In the old days every farmer had a broodmare, they bred a few, their children hunted and rode the offspring in point-to-points. But, you have to move on and make what we now have work for you. It is possible. I think jockey start is a wonderful initiative. Again, unlike the old days these keen youngsters need more of a leg-up. Financially it is all very difficult to afford without some assistance if you want to be competitive within the sport. Good for Will Ramsay for starting this scheme which is seeing some talented riders utilise.”

Here’s to Jack Clark, long may his enthusiasm and involvement in a sport he loves, continue.