Former Army officer turned trainer loses two stone for Grand Military Gold Cup

billy aprahamian grand military gold cup — Billy Aprahamian, pictured winning the 2018 Grand Military Gold Cup on Baden.

(Image credit: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Former Army officer Billy Aprahamian has dropped two stone to return to the saddle for another tilt at a prestigious race he won in 2018.

Billy, now a licensed trainer, will partner the Ben Pauling-trained Nestor Park in the Grand Military Gold Cup, sponsored by Army Sport, at Sandown tomorrow (26 January).

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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.

Former Army officer turned trainer loses two stone to ride in prestigious race

The prospect of shelling out for a new wardrobe was the driving force behind his decision to get back on board, and the historic race a perfect target.

The 33-year-old, who spent time in Belize and Thailand during his time as a lieutenant with the Irish Guards, won the 2018 edition aboard Baden for his former boss, Nicky Henderson. He last rode in the race in 2019, when he rode Carlos Du Fruitier for Mr Pauling.

“I haven’t ridden in it again as my mind has been focused elsewhere,” said Billy, who trains from his Northamptonshire base.

“To sit on Nestor Park and school him is pretty special, let alone going to ride him around Sandown Park, so I’m pretty excited.

“He schooled very well on Monday, but I think he is teaching me. He is a bonny little thing that is very forward going. He is a nice compact horse.

“If you look back through his form he is always there or thereabouts. He has been running in big handicaps this season and this is a completely different race.

“They will go that bit slower here and he should travel and jump confidently around there.”

Billy will also ride Nashville Nipper for Toby Lawes in the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle tomorrow.

“I’ve been riding out again since my horses started coming back in, around July time,” he said.

“I was getting too big for my clothes and I needed something to incentivise me to get back into them as I can’t afford new ones!

“I was 13st 9lbs in August so to get fit and ride again is great. It feels like I’m having my first point-to-point ride again.

“I’m down to 11st 5lbs now, but the weight loss hasn’t been too bad really because I thought about this race a long way in advance. I changed a few habits and here we are. I think I’m more excited for this race [the Grand Military Gold Cup] than ever before.”

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