HECTOR Crouch is a jockey on the March.
And the 23-year-old will take his biggest stride to date as he gets the leg up in his first Classic on Saturday.
He’ll don the famous Godolphin blue and partner Saeed bin Suroor’s 14-1 shot Military March in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas as he looks to down hotshot Pinatubo.
Crouch said: “The office rang my agent about two weeks ago so I knew about a week before racing was back. So it made coming back even more exciting than it already was!
“It’s a dream to be riding in Classics regardless, but to be going there with a real live chance is special.
“It’s a massive vote of confidence from Saeed and I’m really thankful to him for putting me up. Hopefully I can prove him right.”
Crouch could be reunited with Goshen on the Flat this summer, but a ride in the first Classic of the year will top it all if Military March runs well.
He added: “To be wearing those silks on home soil in a Classic is special.
“They are the, or one of the most famous operations in the world and to be a small part of it is huge. It’s nice to be rewarded for all the hard work down the years.”
The jockey based with long-time supporter Gary Moore has enjoyed a steady progression since losing his claim at the end of 2017.
A first Group win last season was a moment to savour and a tally of 63 winners meant it was Crouch’s best campaign by far.
Growing up with Moore as boss set him on his way, but a trip to Dubai and support from Clive Cox and now Suroor has also played its part.
Crouch explained: “I had my first rides in 2013 and it took a while to get going, but then when it did get going it did take off.
“Gary was a huge influence on my career, he gave me a very good grounding. He sent me over to Dubai for a winter and that was a massive learning curve.
“Satish Sheemar put me up in some Group races and I was claiming 5lbs here at the time.
“That was an introduction to the big time and helped me grow up a look quicker than I would have done as a rider.
“Then in recent years Clive Cox has been a massive supporter of mine, he’s provided me with a Group winner and the most opportunities here.”
However, Crouch knows he has his biggest opening to date in the Guineas, and reports Military March to be thriving.
He said: “I’ve had a couple of sits on him at Saeed’s and he’s strengthened up an awful lot.
“He was a big frame of a horse last year and he’s really filled out now. He’s in a very good place now and raring to go.
“He’s a lovely mover and handles himself brilliantly. I don’t see the ground being too much of a problem for him, but any rain would be welcome.
“I rode him on his debut in a very hot race, and for him to win the way he did was very impressive. For him to go on from that straight to the Autumn Stakes was very impressive.
“He’s an unbeaten juvenile and the form of his win in the Autumn Stakes is very impressive.
“He’s done nothing wrong at all, is a course and distance winner and deserves his place in the field.”
The QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket Racecourse is the second leg of this year’s QIPCO British Champions Series. For more info go to britishchampionsseries.com
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