No regrets as Easterby quits the changing tent

William Easterby’s decision to quit riding in the sport has been made just a couple of weeks before he enters the kingdom of fatherhood.

He is also about to embark on his role as an independent member of the Point-to-Point Authority board – do not expect to spot him tomorrow (Thursday) at Leicester where he is listed as trainer of the hunters’ chase contender Largy Shark, for he is heading to Stratford racecourse for his first board meeting.

Asked about the timing of his decision to quit the changing tent, Easterby, 31, said: “My wife Lottie is expecting our first baby in a couple of weeks, and while I love point-to-pointing and it’s been a massive part of my life it’s something I’ve done for fun. I’ve always said that if I became a father I’d pack up race riding.”

Twice Yorkshire champion, Easterby rode 102 point-to-point winners and 45 under rules, including nine in hunters’ chases. He missed out on novice rider titles in the sport because of early successes in Flat races on horses trained by members of his family, predominantly his father Tim.

William said: “It would have been nice to go out on a winner, and I did think about having one more go in our local Siddington point-to-point this weekend in the hunt race, but now I’m looking forward to the next chapter.

“As a young jockey I was told don’t jump one more just to see and then pull up. Pull up. You have to give 100 per cent commitment, and while it’s sad to end I feel it’s come on a good note.”

Two horses stand out among Easterby’s reflections of his time on the point-to-point circuit – Monsieur Jourdain, who won the Grimthorpe Gold Cup three years in a row from 2013 to 2015, and Greensalt who carried him into third spot, but promoted to second, in the 2018 Randox Foxhunters’ Chase.

Of that pair he said: “Monsieur Jourdain was an absolute superstar. He wasn’t quite doing it under rules [from his father, Tim’s yard] and my grandfather [Peter] spoke to the owner and asked if we could have him for pointing, saying he could find the owner another horse. It was my second season and Monsieur Jourdain was to prove such a big part of what was to come.

“He never knew when to give up, and while he won three Grimthorpes I’m sure he could have won four. He won two at Whitwell and one at the newly opened Sheriff Hutton, but on his fourth attempt and second time at Sheriff they took us to the wrong start [for the four-mile race] and he boiled over. We finished third [behind his cousin, Jacqueline, on One Conemara].

“Greensalt gave me a memorable ride at Aintree after we got the horse through Mick Meagher, Trevor Hemmings’ racing manager. I walked the course with Dad before the race, and said ‘It’ll be a long way home from the last for whoever lands in front’, and that’s exactly what happened.

“We jumped the last in front and I saw it all – the champagne corks, the celebrations – and he just ran  out of gas. We were beaten but it was still a great family day out that I’ll never forget. Emily, my sister, did everything with the horse and mum [Sarah] was the trainer, so it was all down to their hard work.”

Easterby is quietly hoping for another memorable trip to Aintree, for if Largy Shark runs well at Leicester and finishes top three not beaten far he could well be given the Foxhunters’ Chase as a target. Easterby’s younger brother Thomas, who turned 20 on Monday, will be in the saddle.

Of his appointment to the PPA board, William said: “Point-to-pointing has been good to me and my friends and it’s time to give something back – that’s how amateur sports work. I’m busy at home and might end up regretting it, but if you love something enough you have to step up. I’m looking forward to the new role.”