The Voice of GBI
Emily Jones
Emily Jones is a name familiar to all those punters who watch GBI Racing. GBI broadcasts no fewer than 1800 races in Britain and Ireland, and their coverage is available to South African viewers.
Emily provides the voiceover for the live racing, and her voice will be recognisable to anyone who has spent time watching the UK feed on Tellytrack.
I recently spoke to Emily Jones, at the Cape Premier Yearling Sales. A former amateur rider on both the flat and over jumps, Emily was making her second visit to South Africa. Emily, who was impressed by the quality of yearling on sale, and commented about how popular SA racing was proving in the UK.
“More and more people are enjoying and following South African horse racing. Interestingly, we had a cameraman do a piece on Pocket Power last year. We were requested to replay that piece 20 times. I would really love to see more South Africans compete at Royal Ascot, though I realise with the current export problems it is unlikely to happen immediately.”
Emily, whose father works as a stallion man for Coolmore in Ireland, first become interested in horse racing, after she started riding as a youngster. She eventually become champion amateur when riding in the UK during the 2000 season. Eventually Emily rode more than 60 winners, before switching her attentions to the media.
She continues to ride out for trainers in Lambourn – one of Britain’s most famous training centres, and home to some of the UK’s leading horsemen. One of the trainers she rides out for is Jo Hughes.
She describes her job as something she loves, but admits to having to do a fair amount of home work prior to going on air. Emily will study while travelling to London, and spends time chatting to various trainers. While many trainers based in the UK used to be reluctant to speak to the press, Emily says that has changed considerably in recent times.
“Around 90% of the trainers that I speak to, are approachable. They have come to realise the importance of the media, and how vital it is for racing to present a transparent face. It is vital for a presenter or media personnel to have some inside information in order to be able to give punters useful information.”
She feels that without a doubt, the mighty Frankel, with his awesome cruising speed, is the greatest horse she has ever seen. Emily also considers that colt’s trainer, Sir Henry Cecil, one of the best trainers she has ever dealt with during her career.
She rates Richard Hughes as the best jockey currently riding in Britain, saying,” I love to watch him in a race. He has a real clock in his head, and knows how to pace himself in a race.”
Emily describes her current goals as including a desire to win the Ladies flat race on King George and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes day. She had previously captured that prestigious race back in 2000, and won a gold necklace for her pains. Unfortunately she sold the necklace, and continues to regret the loss!
She enjoys the GBI team, and feels that the majority of people she deals in the UK are great. Emily rates Ascot, to which she lives in close proximity, as her favourite track, and cites that Royal Ascot is probably her favourite race meeting of the season. Like thousands of other racing enthusiasts, Emily is eagerly awaiting the 2012 Royal Ascot meet, which could see two of the world’s greatest horses, Frankel and Black Caviar, both compete (albeit in different races).
Other courses rated highly include Newbury, which is a really fair track, and one where the best horse usually wins. By contrast, Chester with its notorious tight turns is a nightmare to ride at, and should horses be poorly drawn, they are choices are all but gone. Having said that, Emily feels that Chester adds colour and flavour to the British racing scene, and that the tight finishes which a feature of the course attract plenty of punters.
One of her more memorable tipping experiences came with a horse called Mullins Way. Having ridden him out in work previously, Emily was well acquainted with the horse’ state of being, and quickly pointed him out to the punters. Mullins Way duly obliged at Redcar.
Her preferred bet remains the trifecta, and combination bets in general.
While she loves British racing, Emily was quite overwhelmed by her experience at the 2011 J&B Met. “I have never experienced anything like the festival atmosphere I enjoyed at the Met last year. People have really been supportive and hospitable during my stay in South Africa, and I would love to return soon.”
Not only is Emily a voiceover on GBI and a leading amateur rider, she is also involved in the horse transport business.She noticed a gap in the market, and regularly drives horses to various race meetings.
The media personality also feels that people who are just getting involved in the horse racing media need to tread a fine line between positivity and honesty. “It is really important not to sit on the fence. Journalists need to voice their opinions, although it is also vital to maintain a balance. Uncalled for criticism or comment which is perceived as bias, will ensure many people will avoid giving you useful information in future.”
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More G1 Glory for son of Storm Cat
Maine Chance Farms’ successful young sire, Black Minnaloushe, got his name under the sire of G1 performers this week. His classy daughter, She’s Cheeky, finished a cracking third in the G1 Santa Monicar Handicap at Santa Anita. She’s Cheeky, who has earned prize money just under $400,000 in stakes, was beaten just over 2.25 lengths into third place in the prestigious G1 feature. Just 2 weeks earlier, another of Black Minnaloushe’s progeny, former champion Hollinger, ran a great race in the G3 Fort Lauderdale Handicap -where he was beaten by just a neck.
Black Minnaloushe is well known in South Africa as the sire of G1 winner Gold Onyx, as well as this season’s star 2yo filly The Black Rose.
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Misinformed
Last week, I wrote incorrectly about Minelli. I was, however, misinformed and got the facts wrong, and would like to apologise to Avontuur and anyone else who may have been affected.
