Every year the Goodwood Magnolia Cup race brings together amateur riders all in the name of female empowerment and raising funds for charity. This year we’re incredibly grateful that Smart Works has been chosen as the charity that will benefit.

For our ambassador, Isabel Spearman, this race has been a long time coming. Now after months of early mornings, driving thousands of miles to ride out and intense training she is just a week away from saddling up.

Isabel gave us some insight into what this challenge demands.

The riding:

“I’ve always loved horses and while I would call myself a confident rider, learning to ride a race horse is completely different. Controlling a powerful animal that is trained to go as fast as it can is both terrifying and exhilarating.

Renowned race horse trainer Eve Johnson Houghton kindly took me under her wing and twice a week for the last 5 months I have been riding out from her yard in beautiful Oxfordshire. It took a couple of months to really understand the proper technique and that took quite a few mistakes, some out of control moments and lots of time with my jockey coach on a mechanical horse. 

It’s been a long but very privileged journey and the brilliant team behind me have been both patient and supportive. I feel incredibly lucky to have this once in a lifetime opportunity and it is even more special that I am doing it to raise vital funds for a charity I am passionate about. 

The fitness:

“It’s not just about learning how to ride, the levels of fitness required to take part in the race are astronomical. Each jockey needs to pass the rigid British Racing School fitness test. From a four minute plank to a four minute squat on wobble cushions, there are a series of exercises that are meant to test you to your limit. The first time I tried the two minute press-up and hold my arms shook so violently that I only lasted 15 seconds. An ominous start on my fitness journey. 

I sought the advice of experts and was given a daily programme of strength and endurance training. It took a few months to build this up to the necessary level to pass the test but it was done in tune with my 42 year old, post children body and I was relieved to do it all injury free. I squeezed in all work outs at every opportunity, even claiming my wifi was down so clients didn’t catch me hot and sweaty in my gym kit!

The women taking part:

“I’ve only met the women I’ll be racing against a handful of times and the Goodwood team have pulled together a great team for 2021. Each of us is committed to doing as well as possible and although there was an air of competition when we all last met for our fitness test, there was also an overwhelming sense of camaraderie.

Some of the women riding this year include Ella Dettori, daughter of Frankie the world famous jockey, who couldn’t be more down to earth. There is also Caroline Miller who in her late 50s wants to prove that age is just a number and she does just that, demonstrating amazing strength during our endurance testing. However, I am most in awe of Rachel Stringer who only started riding in March and as a sports presenter and ex international runner is fitter than all of us, but also braver as she learns to ride at high speed. 

The Goodwood Magnolia Cup presented by Markel takes place on the 29^th July as part of the Qatar Goodwood Festival. If you’ve been inspired by Isabel’s hard work and want to show your support for her and the charity you can find her fundraising page here.

Images taken by Hattie Austen.