Amateur Jockey Emphasizes ‘Special’ Relationship With Horse After Maiden Horse Racing Triumph

The Ludlow Racecourse is also one of the most eminent racetracks in the epochal saga of horse racing. It saw an epic horse racing showdown on December 20, 2023. With multiple races scheduled at the venue in Shropshire, England, like the Alpha Aggregates Handicap Hurdle, the Tanners Claret Handicap Chase, and others, the day saw a showcase of emerging talent.

And for one amateur jockey atop a talented 9-year-old gelding horse she has been with for four years, she claimed a massive stoke of victory and her maiden horse racing triumph at the thoroughbred horse racing course.

Amateur jockey surges to success

In a post on X by Racing TV, Megan Fox secured her maiden win with winning horse Whatsupwithyou, trained by Ben Pauling. In a post-race interview, she was asked, “Must be a massive feeling. Very well done”. She replied and shared, “Yeah, I mean, I couldn’t have asked for a better horse to have my first winner on. I’ve looked after the horse ever since I started at Bens’, so it’s quite special”. In the 2-mile, 5-furlong handicap hurdle at Ludlow, Megan Fox claimed her breakthrough victory on her seventh jump ride.

Leaving nine other horses in their trail, Fox and Whatsupwithyou secured the win with a winning time of 5 minutes and 26.15 seconds. Kazontherazz landed in second place, while The Bomber Liston came in third. It is also important to note that this is not the first time Whatsupwithyou has achieved victory.

The impact of Whatsupwithyou in the horse racing realm

Whatsupwithyou is a 9-year-old gelding who was foaled on April 19, 2014. Sired by Shantou and out of Irish dam Whats Up Britta,  Whatsupwithyou has been training under Ben Pauling. The gelding has had a decent record, with five wins out of 30 races.

He has also previously competed in high-profile races like the 2021 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham, finishing fourth against top-class competition. A drop-in class on December 20 for Whatsupwithyou proved beneficial for Megan Fox, allowing her to secure the Amazing Maiden win.

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Despite being in her fifth season, this victory was particularly meaningful for Fox, who later told Racing TV, “I’ve been in the bend for four years, so I’ve looked after the horse for four years. So it’s quite nice to ride him, let alone win on him.”

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