Love Island star set to make race-riding debut
Love Island finalist Chris Hughes is training as a jockey to ride in a charity race at York this summer.
Chris, who is already a rider and a racing fan, will be preparing under the watchful eye of top National Hunt trainer Jonjo O’Neill.
“I would be lying if I said I didn’t fancy my chances,” said Chris, who found fame on the ITV show last year.
“I’m looking forward to it and obviously it makes me want to train harder and make sure I’m fully prepared for the race itself.”
Bookmaker Coral is sponsoring Chris, who is aiming to raise £20,000 by taking part in the Macmillan Ride of their Lives race on 16 June.
“I love horse racing and grew up riding with my friends in Cheltenham,” added Chris. “I’m really excited about working with Coral and very grateful to Jonjo O’Neill for his support.
“I always wanted to become a jockey as a kid, and Coral is helping make my dream come true.
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“But I don’t just want to take part – I want to really go for it, and try to win my first race as a jockey!”
Chris joins top eventer and H&H blogger Matthew Wright as well as 10 other jockeys taking part in the race.
Chris’s girlfriend Olivia Attwood, who also rides, has joined Coral as an ambassador, working on social media campaigns and taking part in public appearances for some of the major race meetings this year.
“Chris always used to say when were on Love Island ‘I’m good at this, I’m good at that’ — [I said] well you can’t be good at everything,” said Olivia.
“It turns out that he is, which is a bit annoying for me! But he is great on a horse.”
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Chris is undergoing months of intensive training at Jonjo’s base, Jackdaws Castle.
“We have known Chris and his family for many years, and so naturally we are absolutely delighted to be supporting him as he prepares for his goal to become a jockey for the day,” said the Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer, adding it is for a “brilliant cause”.
Anthea Morshead, assistant clerk of the course at York, added this will be a “huge challenge” for the “dozen intrepid amateurs”.
“Having met Chris I can see he is up for the challenge and already knows his way around a horse,” he added.
“The next four months will be pretty intense as he both trains and raises funds but I’m confident that he’ll love the experience.”
For more information, visit: justgiving.com/ChrisHughes-LoveRacing
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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.