It was an early start at 6:30 to get up and ready for an awesome race at Ascot. When we arrived I had to declare myself then walk the course. We were on the hurdle course for a six furlong uphill gallop. The ground was perfect and I couldnt believe that I was racing on the same course that the greats like Tony mcCoy and Frankie Dettorri have ridden. The new stand was absolutely beautiful.

My brother george led Mink in Mind round the parade ring whilst I weighed in and thought about what I was going to do. When the bell rang for the jockeys to mount I was so nervous. My saddle was so clean I almost fell off the other side. I followed the huntsmen down to the start line, where I circled round until the starters flag went. I was racing against four other people, one of them from a racing yard in kent where Alex Chadwick trains. As I started on uphill I sat down in the saddle for her to get her balance, then up into position and I kicked her on. I was well in the lead heading up the hill and round the corner. I was so far from all the other jockeys I was almost too far to loose. Then me and mink in mind began to tire and i thought that I had finished and stopped riding her on. Then i realised I hadnt and kicked her on. But it was too late the boy from kent had taken me on the last furlong. He had come first and I had come second. When i walked back to the parade ring I gave mink in mind a huge hug as she had worked so hard for me. I received 2 rosettes and a high school musical easter egg. I was so happy but absolutely shattered.

Next time I shall remember where the finish is when I walk the course.

I am so proud of minky for her hard work and hopefully it wont be long until my next race. I cant wait.