Neil Pollard
When, on June 16, 1999, 3lb claimer Neil Pollard steered Showboat first past the post for octogenarian breeder Dick Hollingsworth in the Royal Hunt Cup, a glittering future seemed assured for the young apprentice.
When, on June 16, 1999, 3lb claimer Neil Pollard steered Showboat first past the post for octogenarian breeder Dick Hollingsworth in the Royal Hunt Cup, a glittering future seemed assured for the young apprentice.
Showboat, trained by Barry Hills, had coasted home a six-length winner causing Neil at the time to remark: 'I won't believe it until I see it on the replay tonight. Showboat was cantering two furlongs out and when I hit the front I thought I had to go for it as he is an old horse and a bit of a thinker. I gave him a couple of taps but didn't dare look round.'
Showboat, trained by Barry Hills, had coasted home a six-length winner causing Neil at the time to remark: 'I won't believe it until I see it on the replay tonight. Showboat was cantering two furlongs out and when I hit the front I thought I had to go for it as he is an old horse and a bit of a thinker. I gave him a couple of taps but didn't dare look round.'
Neil was born on 25 May 1978. He had started his career with Mark Johnston, then became apprenticed to David Elsworth.
Neil was born on 25 May 1978. He had started his career with Mark Johnston, then became apprenticed to David Elsworth.
In 1998, Neil won the Lester Award for apprentice of the year. That had come on the back of a really good season which had culminated in winning the Cambridgeshire on Lear Fan. In 2001, he rode in the Dubai World Cup.
In 1998, Neil won the Lester Award for apprentice of the year. That had come on the back of a really good season which had culminated in winning the Cambridgeshire on Lear Fan. In 2001, he rode in the Dubai World Cup.
Then, suddenly and unforeseen, it was all over.
Then, suddenly and unforeseen, it was all over.
Having lost his claim, he began struggling for rides, so, in 2005, he made the decision to try his luck in the north.
Having lost his claim, he began struggling for rides, so, in 2005, he made the decision to try his luck in the north.
Neil said: It just didn't work out. The northern jockeys work very hard and deserve their contacts. It's hard to establish yourself up there.'
Neil said: It just didn't work out. The northern jockeys work very hard and deserve their contacts. It's hard to establish yourself up there.'
Neil first called it a day in 2007 but Elsworth, who had relocated from Hampshire to Newmarket, encouraged him to give it one last go. Unfortunately, at that time, Elsworth's horses were out of form and Neil found it difficult to get going again. He also sustained a couple of nasty injuries.
Neil first called it a day in 2007 but Elsworth, who had relocated from Hampshire to Newmarket, encouraged him to give it one last go. Unfortunately, at that time, Elsworth's horses were out of form and Neil found it difficult to get going again. He also sustained a couple of nasty injuries.
He rode for the last time in 2009.
He rode for the last time in 2009.
He said; 'There comes a day that you realise you've got to earn money and make a proper living and those were the reasons I gave up.'
He said; 'There comes a day that you realise you've got to earn money and make a proper living and those were the reasons I gave up.'
Neil took a job as an instructor at the Northern Racing College but had only been there a short time when he received a call saying that there was a job going with Godolphin.
Neil took a job as an instructor at the Northern Racing College but had only been there a short time when he received a call saying that there was a job going with Godolphin.
It was an offer he couldn't refuse.
It was an offer he couldn't refuse.
One of five children, Neil was seven when his father died, and when he was about to leave school in the Merseyside suburb of Crosby, he sought advice from John Francome after his mother, Patricia, suggested that at 6st 10lb he was the right shape to make a jockey.
One of five children, Neil was seven when his father died, and when he was about to leave school in the Merseyside suburb of Crosby, he sought advice from John Francome after his mother, Patricia, suggested that at 6st 10lb he was the right shape to make a jockey.
After his education at the Racing School in Newmarket, he was found a placement with Jack Berry, and later moved on to Mark Johnston, who supplied his first ride (Double Blue) and also his first winner-Mirror For Sport in a Southwell handicap in early 1997.
After his education at the Racing School in Newmarket, he was found a placement with Jack Berry, and later moved on to Mark Johnston, who supplied his first ride (Double Blue) and also his first winner-Mirror For Sport in a Southwell handicap in early 1997.
Neil's decline is reflected in his winning totals: in 1998 he rode 46 winners, in 1999, 52. In 2000 the tally slumped to 17 and to 15 the year after.
Neil's decline is reflected in his winning totals: in 1998 he rode 46 winners, in 1999, 52. In 2000 the tally slumped to 17 and to 15 the year after.
Neil is a Liverpool FC fan: they won the Champions League final on his birthday. Neil's biggest hero outside racing is Steve Gerrard.
Neil is a Liverpool FC fan: they won the Champions League final on his birthday. Neil's biggest hero outside racing is Steve Gerrard.
Neil is a great cook and would have been a chef had he not gone into racing.
Neil is a great cook and would have been a chef had he not gone into racing.
He is married to Hannah Cole.
He is married to Hannah Cole.