Amateur jockey Lyall Hodgins embraces new uphill target

Lyall Hodgins, amateur to Nicky Richards, had two targets in his sights this year. The more immediate was that of winning the National Novice championship, which could have proved to be an uphill task. Unfortunately, with the abandonment of the 2019-20 season, that ambition was not to be realised.

Despite originally taking a step closer by recording his first double at Alnwick on March 8th, Lyall’s geographical location would, in any case, have put him at a disadvantage compared with his Southern counterparts, who were likely to have had more opportunities. He eventually finished two behind Angus Cheleda.

To describe his second objective as “uphill” is an understatement. On August 1st he and Ryan Day, Richards’s stable jockey, will be embarking on a six day climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of the Injured Jockeys’ fund.

The mountaineering plan was born when the duo were at the top of Richards’s gallops, which overlook the peaks of the Lake District. They decided simultaneously to set themselves the challenge of climbing Blencathra, taking the Sharp Edge route, followed in due course by Hellvellyn and Scafell.

Then, wishing to challenge themselves further, they booked their trip to Tanzania. They are hoping to raise £5,000, and to date have nearly £1,000 pledged. Donations for their worthy cause can be made through www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ryan-lyall.

In the meantime, Lyall, 18, will be hoping he may pick up some rides under Rules, as apart from his Point-to-Point triumphs, he was seen to advantage earlier in the month when winning a Conditional & Amateur “Hands & Heels” Hurdle at Carlisle, his first success in that sphere..

Hawick, where he grew up, is renowned for the sport of rugby, but for Lyall, despite not having an equestrian background, the option was always the historic Common Ridings, in which he participated with his ponies, commencing when he was just seven.

At the age of 11 he started riding out for Donald Whillans, and it was the latter’s brother Alistair who gave Lyall his initial chance under Rules. 18 months ago he joined Nicky Richards, whose daughter Joey provided his first ride, and success, between the flags, Scarlet Fire at Alnwick a year ago.

He now has five Point-to-Point winners from just 15 starts, an excellent strike rate but a meagre number of rides for someone of his ability, so he is hoping that next season he will be offered more opportunities. He would like to find a sponsor, and anyone stepping forward in that capacity can look forward to receiving plenty of publicity for their support, both from Lyall’s racing exploits and his climbing.

He has no thoughts of turning Conditional at the present time, considering that his height and build will be against him. He goes to the gym most days, and regularly sees his jockey coach, Brian Harding, who has a breaking and schooling yard not far from Greystoke, and for whom Lyall helps out.

And when he and Ryan undertake their August adventure, will it be a race to see who gets to the top first? “I guess so,” laughed Lyall. “We’re pretty competitive!”

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ryan-lyall