Somerset young farmer takes home Champion Jump Jockey title

Somerset-based young farmer and professional jockey Harry Cobden was recently crowned Champion Jump Jockey at Chepstow – becoming only the eighth jockey to clinch the title since 1981.

Now 25, Harry’s racing career began at 13 when he started riding out for a local racehorse trainer, and since then his career has developed at a thundering pace. 

See also: ‘Britain’s fastest farmer’ swaps tractor for Porsche

His love of farming started around the same age, when he would rear about 50 calves during the summer holidays.

Harry told Farmers Weekly he had always been a farmer at heart and, despite his busy schedule, farming remained a fundamental part of his life.

Family operation

Harry’s family run a mixed beef and arable farm at Lydford-on-Fosse in Somerset, where he takes particular pride in overseeing the cattle, while his older brother manages the arable operation.

“We grow quite a bit of maize and all of our grass silage, and a little bit of barley as well,” said Harry.

“My brother is actually allergic to animals, so you wouldn’t catch him anywhere near the cattle shed, but he does the crops side of things and does all of our silage.”

© Harry Cobden

Using his winnings from racing, Harry has also bought his own land, which he has integrated into the family’s farming system.

“I bought a bit of land a few years ago,” he explains. “When I was 18 I actually bought my first field, which has joined the family farm.

“Ever since then, every quid I have made I have invested into the farm to try and make it slightly bigger and better, and that’s in the way of livestock – a little bit of extra land here or there, and putting up a few extra sheds and various other things.”

Asked how he manages to juggle a busy racing schedule and farming life, Harry says that during the summer months he has more time to himself, which he usually spends completing jobs on the farm.

“The winter is obviously the busiest time of the year,” he says. “I leave home in the dark and get home in the dark. This time of year, I have a bit more time on my hands.

“The best bit of money I’ve ever spent was on a head torch. I spent £240 on a head torch that is like Blackpool illuminations, so that I can do things at night.

“I’m one of those people that likes to go around and do all the little jobs that otherwise wouldn’t get done, like cleaning out the water troughs.”

What’s next?

Speaking on his new title from Chepstow, Harry said this was the first year he had “properly gone for it”.

He said: “Historically, I’d probably have 400 rides a year, something like that, whereas this year I’ve had just under 750 – so, lots more rides and, thankfully, there was a fair bit more success there to get over the line as well.”

Asked what he had his sights on next, Harry said the plan was to continue expanding the beef enterprise.

“The farming is certainly my proper love and passion, and it is something that never feels like a job,” he says.

“The racing is quite high-pressured, and the phone never stops ringing.

“I ride for so many people, owners, trainers, so the farming is my little getaway where I can have a bit of my own time and do what I want to do. I love it.”

Harry says the one race he would like to win is the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, but until then he is keen to focus on his regular rides.

“I want to ride 1,000 winners,” he explained. “I think I’m about 130 winners off of 1,000, so if I can achieve this in the next 12 months, then that would be great.”