Tom Messenger
Jump jockey Tom Messenger was born in Northamptonshire on June 5, 1985. His late uncle rode but otherwise there was little family involvement in racing, although he grew up not far from trainer Caroline Bailey’s stable.
Jump jockey Tom Messenger was born in Northamptonshire on June 5, 1985. His late uncle rode but otherwise there was little family involvement in racing, although he grew up not far from trainer Caroline Bailey’s stable.
After cutting his teeth in the hunting and point to point fields, Tom started his professional racing career with Ian Williams and then joined Ben Pollock’s stable. It was for Pollock that he rode his first winner, Never Awol, in a three-mile handicap chase at Towcester on October 6, 2004. Never Awol was a Towcester regular. Tom rode him a total of 15 times there, winning twice in November 2005.
After cutting his teeth in the hunting and point to point fields, Tom started his professional racing career with Ian Williams and then joined Ben Pollock’s stable. It was for Pollock that he rode his first winner, Never Awol, in a three-mile handicap chase at Towcester on October 6, 2004. Never Awol was a Towcester regular. Tom rode him a total of 15 times there, winning twice in November 2005.
He enjoyed his best career moments on Chris Bealby’s chaser, Surface To Air, on whom he won Sedgefield’s Durham National on April 29, 2008 and followed up at Stratford three weeks later. On a far bigger stage, he rode Surface To Air in the 2011 Grand National, finishing eighth behind Ballabriggs, having been prominent until weakening from three out.
He enjoyed his best career moments on Chris Bealby’s chaser, Surface To Air, on whom he won Sedgefield’s Durham National on April 29, 2008 and followed up at Stratford three weeks later. On a far bigger stage, he rode Surface To Air in the 2011 Grand National, finishing eighth behind Ballabriggs, having been prominent until weakening from three out.
When Bealby announced his intention to retire, Tom realised that his opportunities would be limited. And when the chance arose to join Dan Skelton’s burgeoning stable as assistant trainer, it was an opportunity too good to turn down.
When Bealby announced his intention to retire, Tom realised that his opportunities would be limited. And when the chance arose to join Dan Skelton’s burgeoning stable as assistant trainer, it was an opportunity too good to turn down.
Tom rode his last winner on Fort Gabriel for trainer Fiona Kehoe in a Taunton novices’ handicap chase on April 20, 2016. Fort Gabriel was also his final ride the following month, May 25, when finishing third in a three-mile handicap chase at Fakenham.
Tom rode his last winner on Fort Gabriel for trainer Fiona Kehoe in a Taunton novices’ handicap chase on April 20, 2016. Fort Gabriel was also his final ride the following month, May 25, when finishing third in a three-mile handicap chase at Fakenham.
He retired having ridden a total of 136 winners for the likes of Chris Bealby, Caroline Bailey and Ben Pollock, joining Dan Skelton’s Warwickshire-based training operation in the summer of 2016. With his equestrian background and years of experience in the racing industry, he is now a valuable part of the highly successful Skelton team.
He retired having ridden a total of 136 winners for the likes of Chris Bealby, Caroline Bailey and Ben Pollock, joining Dan Skelton’s Warwickshire-based training operation in the summer of 2016. With his equestrian background and years of experience in the racing industry, he is now a valuable part of the highly successful Skelton team.