David Probert, one of British racing's most respected Flat jockeys, has set his sights on landing a Group 1 prize, the main ambition remaining in his career. The Welshman from Bargoed in South Wales's Rhymney Valley has ridden more than 1,500 winners since sharing the Champion Apprentice title in 2008.
Career highlights and stable role
Probert claimed the All-Weather Championship in 2021-22 and has become a stalwart member of Andrew Balding's Kingsclere operation. He has finished second in both the 2,000 Guineas and Derby from limited opportunities, and steered Never So Brave to victory in the Group 2 Summer Mile last year, shortly before an end-of-year stint in Hong Kong.
Q&A insights
In a Q&A, Probert shared his best advice: "When you get knocked down, get back up." He cited his main attributes as an ability to make the running and an idea about pace. Asked about riding 1,227 times in 2021, he said: "I love my job and love riding horses and winners are always a good bonus."
His best moment in the saddle is his two Royal Ascot winners, and he named Oisin Murphy as the hardest jockey to beat in a finish. Crystal Ocean is the best horse he has sat on, and his favourite courses are Ascot and Chester, with Royal Ascot his favourite festival.
Ambitions and personal tastes
Probert would love to win the Derby, and if not a jockey, he would likely work on a farm. His proudest moment away from racing is getting the keys to his house, and his biggest passion is playing golf. His most treasured possession is his St Christopher, which "travels everywhere with me."
He would be played by Owen Wilson in a film, his superpower would be teleportation, and he values kindness in others. His guilty pleasure is eating too much, and his sporting idol outside racing is Tiger Woods. His death row meal is pepperoni pizza, and he would listen to "Sing like Madonna" by Sebastian Schub.
