Amber Jackson-Fennell enjoyed her first success as both an owner and trainer after three seasons of trying. Her winner came in the form of Heaven Scent, who won the Oriental Club owner-trainer conditions (level three) series final at the Mid Surrey Farmers Drag point-to-point meeting at Godstone in Surrey yesterday (1 May).
“Heaven Scent is a quirky mare – she likes to have her own way out in front and only does as much as she needs to, but she’s a brilliant jumper and that’s what keeps her in the race,” explained Amber, who bought the now nine-year-old mare for £1,200 after seeing her advertised on Preloved.
“She was my first pointer and was being sold as a broodmare as her previous owners said she was unrideable – it’s her way or the highway. She’s neurotic and a nightmare to train. She didn’t want to leave the yard to start with and she hates going on gallops, as I think she was a bit stale as she started off life running on the Flat, and so has had a long racing career.”
But Amber, who works for Fran and Charlie Poste and will be having a tilt at the novice riders’ championship next season, has found the key to this nine-year-old mare.
“She had a foal a year ago, but that hasn’t calmed her down at all. She goes out in the field a lot now though and instead of riding her too much, I do a lot of riding and leading with her, which she seems to enjoy,” said Amber. “Her jockey today, Daniel Kyne, gave her a superb ride, too, and Heaven will now go out in the field and have a summer holiday.”
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Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
