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Horse bought for £1 gives 58-year-old jockey his 408th winner

Alex Robinson Alex Robinson

    • There were celebrations for connections of Definite Dilemma at the Crawley & Horsham point-to-point fixture at Parham in West Sussex (29 March). Trainer Ella Gillings was delighted as the Coveney Carrington family’s 12-year-old by Definite Article finished first past the post in the mixed open with 58-year-old Phil York in the saddle.

    Ella paid National Hunt jockey Niall Houlihan £1 for Definite Dilemma four years ago.

    “He’d had time off after an injury so I took a chance on him on Niall’s recommendation,” said Ella, of the gelding whose winning tally marks three from four this season. “He’s a proper pointer who loves to gallop. He keeps getting better and better.”

    Ella said she was not overly confident heading in, owing to the going.

    “He’s a soft-ground horse so I thought it might be a bit quick for him today, but they’d done a good job of getting plenty of water on the course so there was plenty of bounce,” she said. “When Yorkie hit the front, he looked over his shoulder so I knew we were OK! Definite Dilemma and Yorkie are like two peas in a pod.”

    Ella added that this horse’s preparation has not been ideal, as she is expecting a baby.

    “We’re a tiny team. We train on a sheep farm and don’t have a gallop or even a hot tap. I’m also 20 weeks’ pregnant so he hasn’t done a lot of work since his win at Penshurst a couple of weeks ago – he was quite fresh!”

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    Alex Robinson
    Alex Robinson

    Freelance equestrian journalist
    Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
    Alex Robinson

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