Racing: Plumpton to sponsor star of the future

James Davies, a promising conditional rider, has signed a one-year contract with the Sussex jumping track.

Richard Johnson had a similar arrangement at Haydock Park last year.

Plumpton chief exective Patrick Davis said: "The deal with James was the brainchild of our marketing and hospitality manager, Moppy Peate.

"She was looking for exposure for Plumpton and, in selecting James, whose father Hywel rode many winners here, has hit the jackpot."

Davis describes the arrangement as a "win-win" situation.

He said: "There is no doubt James is heading for the top. He is only 18, expertly managed and very talented. The sponsorship will help him and help us as well."

The new partnership made a flying start when Davies won on Tudor King at Southwell last week. He carried the Plumpton logo on his breeches and colours.

Twenty four hours later, Davies triumped again when The Hearty Joker won at Market Rasen and he was first on Reasonable Reserve at Worcester on Wednesday.

The jockey started as an amateur last year and has now ridden 19 winners.

He took part in the charity race at Plumpton last October, won by Zara Phillips, and his first Plumpton winner was Tudor King, trained by Jeff King, at the Easter meeting three months ago.

"I'm chuffed to have support like this so early in my career," said Davies after riding work for his boss Brendan Powell at Winchester this week.

"I have the Plumpton logo on all my gear. With attheraces TV covering at every meeting, as well as the BBC and Channel Four at the major races, Plumpton will get plenty of coverage.

"Work permitting, I will be at Plumpton to help with corporate hospitality and promotions."

Peter Savill, the owner of Plumpton racecourse, is also chairman of BHB. He had lunch with Patrick Davis and the young jockey in London last week.

Davis said: "Peter has a very commercial approach to everything he does and was delighted with the arrangement we have made. He could see the mutual benefit for both parties in the deal."

Financial considerations mean a car for the jockey is not included in the initial deal.

This is a pity because, at 40,000 miles a year, the Plumpton logo on the sides and back of the jockey's car would be seen by thousands who do not watch televised racing.

Davis said: "Perhaps we will look into that if we go into a second year.

"James is a gifted and articulate young man and we may well want to hang on to him beyond the initial contract."

The Davies connection with Plumpton began when James' dad, Hywel, joined Findon trainer Josh Gifford as an amateur in the late Seventies.

Hywel, 46, and Richard Rowe, now training at Storrington, were both in Gifford's team at the same time.

James' father rode many winners at Plumpton for his boss and also for Roddy Armytage and the late Captain Tim Forster.

Hywel is now the UK agent for Gain Horse Feeds, which is used in Ireland by Aidan O'Brien and Jim Bolger, but he remembers one particular incident at Plumpton when he was still claiming the 7lb allowance.

He said: "I was going well in a hurdle for three-year-olds and turning out of the back straight.

"In those days, the fences in the home straight were against the rails and the hurdles on the outside. I moved up the inner of the guy in front of me approaching the second last flight which was parallel to the chase fence.

"The jockey in front shouted to me 'has that horse schooled over fences?'

"As he was only a three-year-old it seemed a silly question and I replied 'of course he hasn't! My rival then called out 'well, he's just about to now' as he kept me in towards the fence, giving me no sight of the hurdle at all.

"I was frightened but in the last two strides the leader pulled out and gave me enough room to jump the hurdle and no harm was done."

Davies had tried to go up the inside of one of the most senior and respected riders in the game, Joe Guest.

Hywel said: "I realised you go up the inner at your peril and I went straight up to Joe in the changing room and apologised."