Felix de Giles
Born on 17 February 1989, we first saw Felix on a racecourse when, on April 28, 2004, he rode Alheri into sixth place behind Caught At Dawn in the Colin Nash Memorial Hunter Chase at Cheltenham.
Born on 17 February 1989, we first saw Felix on a racecourse when, on April 28, 2004, he rode Alheri into sixth place behind Caught At Dawn in the Colin Nash Memorial Hunter Chase at Cheltenham.
His first win came twenty-one rides later when booting Hunting Lodge home for trainer H. Manners at Huntingdon on Thursday, June 8, 2006.
His first win came twenty-one rides later when booting Hunting Lodge home for trainer H. Manners at Huntingdon on Thursday, June 8, 2006.
Prior to his National hunt debut, Felix had excelled at both pony racing - in which he was crowned Pony Race Champion in 2004 - and point-to-points, at which, over three seasons, he rode thirteen winners, the first of which came at Lockinge, Oxfordshire, aboard Johnny Manners's Hi Rudolph.
Prior to his National hunt debut, Felix had excelled at both pony racing - in which he was crowned Pony Race Champion in 2004 - and point-to-points, at which, over three seasons, he rode thirteen winners, the first of which came at Lockinge, Oxfordshire, aboard Johnny Manners's Hi Rudolph.
His father, Jonathan (written as Johnathen in many form listings), who trained horses at Stanton Warren, near Swindon, was a great advocate of pony racing.
His father, Jonathan (written as Johnathen in many form listings), who trained horses at Stanton Warren, near Swindon, was a great advocate of pony racing.
'It enabled Felix to get his eye in.' he explained. 'Pony racing took the pressure off him when he had his first ride in a point-to-point. They gave him a great opportunity to put into practice what he had already been learning about race riding.'
'It enabled Felix to get his eye in.' he explained. 'Pony racing took the pressure off him when he had his first ride in a point-to-point. They gave him a great opportunity to put into practice what he had already been learning about race riding.'
Riding has always been in Felix's blood.
Riding has always been in Felix's blood.
'I've been riding since I can remember,' he said. 'Racing is what I've always wanted to do.'
'I've been riding since I can remember,' he said. 'Racing is what I've always wanted to do.'
At 16, too old for pony racing, he turned his attention to horse racing, but wisely carried on with his A-Levels. Once they were out of the way, Felix turned professional and joined Nicky Henderson.
At 16, too old for pony racing, he turned his attention to horse racing, but wisely carried on with his A-Levels. Once they were out of the way, Felix turned professional and joined Nicky Henderson.
His time there was very valuable: Mick Fitzgerald was still at the yard and was always on hand with guidance and advice.
His time there was very valuable: Mick Fitzgerald was still at the yard and was always on hand with guidance and advice.
When he lost his claim, Felix also lost the patronage of Henderson who, Felix admitted, was only using him because of it.
When he lost his claim, Felix also lost the patronage of Henderson who, Felix admitted, was only using him because of it.
He still got the odd ride for the stable - notably in the Coral Cup aboard the Queen's horse, Gold Award - but realised that he had gone as far as he could there.
He still got the odd ride for the stable - notably in the Coral Cup aboard the Queen's horse, Gold Award - but realised that he had gone as far as he could there.
Felix is a realist.
Felix is a realist.
While beginning to get regular work from some of the best trainers around - Charlie Longsdon, Tom George & Martin Keighley, etc. - he was under no illusions.
While beginning to get regular work from some of the best trainers around - Charlie Longsdon, Tom George & Martin Keighley, etc. - he was under no illusions.
'It will be a case of struggling through the rest of this year and the next year and then
'It will be a case of struggling through the rest of this year and the next year and then
building up my number of wins so that trainers will be more obliged to use me,' he said at the time.
building up my number of wins so that trainers will be more obliged to use me,' he said at the time.
From Nicky Henderson, Felix learned the importance of communication. Henderson had always told Felix that when he came back after a race, he (Henderson) wanted to know something new about the horse that he didn't already know.
From Nicky Henderson, Felix learned the importance of communication. Henderson had always told Felix that when he came back after a race, he (Henderson) wanted to know something new about the horse that he didn't already know.
To date (2014), Felix's best season was 2011/12, when he rode forty-four winners from 299 rides (15%).
To date (2014), Felix's best season was 2011/12, when he rode forty-four winners from 299 rides (15%).
The 2014/15 saw a radical change in his fortunes.
The 2014/15 saw a radical change in his fortunes.
At the time of writing, July 17, 2014, Felix had, that season, ridden just seven times.
At the time of writing, July 17, 2014, Felix had, that season, ridden just seven times.
And had not ridden a winner.
And had not ridden a winner.
In May that year, however, Felix did have his first-ever ride in France, winning at Aix Les Bains for trainer Emmanuel Clayeux,
In May that year, however, Felix did have his first-ever ride in France, winning at Aix Les Bains for trainer Emmanuel Clayeux,
Ever realistic, Felix said: 'Nobody wants to be in the game to be second best. I want to be in the top flight of jockeys, so I'd like to think that whatever I do this year I'll better next year.
Ever realistic, Felix said: 'Nobody wants to be in the game to be second best. I want to be in the top flight of jockeys, so I'd like to think that whatever I do this year I'll better next year.
If you don't believe in yourself then it will never happen.' Felix comes across as a thoroughly decent young man.
If you don't believe in yourself then it will never happen.' Felix comes across as a thoroughly decent young man.
As a deviation from racing, Felix stepped into the boxing ring.
As a deviation from racing, Felix stepped into the boxing ring.
'I started for fitness reasons and it's been very good for my weight as well,' Felix explained. 'boxing on your core strength and the muscles you use are very similar to the ones needed in race-riding.'
'I started for fitness reasons and it's been very good for my weight as well,' Felix explained. 'boxing on your core strength and the muscles you use are very similar to the ones needed in race-riding.'
Attending Swindon's Amateur Boxing Club, Felix, in his first fight and aged 23 at the time, was up against Joshua Lyons.
Attending Swindon's Amateur Boxing Club, Felix, in his first fight and aged 23 at the time, was up against Joshua Lyons.
Felix, attacking from the opening bell, stopped his opponent in the first round. The ref gave Lyons a standing count and, after he went back to his corner, his team threw the towel in.'
Felix, attacking from the opening bell, stopped his opponent in the first round. The ref gave Lyons a standing count and, after he went back to his corner, his team threw the towel in.'
In December 2012, Felix was suspended for 12 days after taking the wrong course on the favourite Take Over Sivola at Lingfield.
In December 2012, Felix was suspended for 12 days after taking the wrong course on the favourite Take Over Sivola at Lingfield.
Felix is a great music fan and often attends music festivals. He enjoys The Pixies and Dire Straits, among others.
Felix is a great music fan and often attends music festivals. He enjoys The Pixies and Dire Straits, among others.