BRITAIN’S oldest jockey looks in fantastic shape at 80 – thanks to a ‘killer’ fitness routine that has him primed for a historic win.
Colin Moore appears as fit as a fiddle ahead of his big run in the Newmarket Town Plate this Saturday.
Moore, here with grandson Ralph and granddaughter Sophie, looks as fit as a fiddle for an 80-year-old and is relishing a shot at history
Ballyrath has already won at 66-1 this year and will look to strike again with Moore in the saddle on Saturday
The race was once won by King Charles II – but Moore is plotting his own path to racing royalty by becoming the oldest rider ever to win the event.
A former jumps jockey, Moore rode his sole winner in November 1961.
Then he was victorious on Son Of Tam at Worcester at odds of 50-1.
Despite his advancing years, you’d think you’d get much shorter about his chances on Saturday… especially as he’s on a horse who’s previously made a mockery of long odds.
Shrewd Moore backed fellow veteran Ballyrath to win at 66-1 at Wetherby in January.
The Gary Hanmer-trained horse, 12, had been off for 960 days but won at giant odds.
Moore revealed he had a few quid on that day. He said: “I had a feeling he would get a place so I backed him at 40-1 each-way then I backed him at 66-1 to win.
“He seems to like Wetherby as it is his sort of track.”
The Newmarket Town Plate is normally run over three-and-three-quarter miles but this year is just two miles one furlong due to watering restrictions.
With Ballyrath being more of a stayer he’ll have to show a new burst of speed to win, although his class suggests he should get in the places.
‘KILLER’ FITNESS ROUTINE
And he knows he’ll have a fit jockey in the saddle, with Moore’s ‘killer’ routine of riding out, exercise bike and weight training paying off.
Mind you, whatever happens, amateur rider Moore – some 25 years older than Britain’s oldest professional jockey – is certain he will have a big smile at the winning post when greeted by grandson Ralph.
Back in February Ralph was being treated for high-level jaundice just days after being born.
His condition began to deteriorate and he was transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool with a suspected heart problem.
The poor baby spent several days on a ventilator in intensive care but was allowed back home on February 10 after doctors discovered he was fighting an infection.
Moore said: “I’ve already got two granddaughters but my first grandson arrived this year.
“However he was very poorly for the first few weeks after he was born.
“He came home for the first few days but then he went into hospital at Chester with jaundice, however they thought he had something up with his heart.
“It was quite upsetting. They said to my son Alex and his wife Sam go home and get clothes as you will have to stay there.
INSPIRATIONAL GRANDSON
“He was transferred off in a little oxygen tent on his own by the North West and North Wales Paediatric Transport Service from Chester to Liverpool.
“They stayed in there for a few days as he was quite serious with his condition and he was on a ventilator in intensive care.
“Thankfully he now he is fine and he will be there on Saturday which is great.
“The team there did a great job and I just felt like I wanted to help them and hopefully I can raise a few pounds doing this.
“His ordeal has definitely helped act as an inspiration for doing this year’s race.
“He is now six months old and he is a big bonny lad now so I don’t think he will be a jockey but it will be nice for him to carry the name on.”
As a mark of thanks for the work carried out by the staff Moore is now aiming to raise £500 for the hospital.
To make a donation to either charity, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/colin-moore19 (for Alder Hey) and https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/colin-moore18 (for The Injured Jockeys’ Fund).
