JJ Hamblett, former member of boyband Union J and ex-apprentice jockey, is making a return to competitive horse racing after more than a decade. He will ride in the Lester Legends Race, an annual charity event for retired professionals, at Doncaster Racecourse on September 11.
Back in the Saddle
It has been 17 years since Hamblett took his last of more than 250 rides as a budding professional jockey. He has been training with top trainer John Gosden. 'When I sat back on a horse for the first time in 15 years, I thought I'd be on a trotter but John Gosden sent me to ride two horses up Warren Hill. I literally couldn't walk for two days,' he said. 'Now I've started galloping and my legs are sore. But I have to admit it's lovely to be back.'
From Racing to Pop Stardom
The 38-year-old grew up in Newmarket, the son of jockey Paul Hamblett, and older brother Ashley also rode. He joined Sir Michael Stoute as an apprentice, riding his first winner in 2005 and accumulating 23 wins over five seasons. But in 2010, his life took a turn when he auditioned for The X Factor and became part of Union J, alongside Josh Cuthbert, Jaymi Hensley and George Shelley. The group reached the semi-finals of the ninth series, signed a record deal, and scored number one singles. They were voted Best British Breakthrough Act at the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards.
Reigniting the Passion
After Union J split, Hamblett moved to Cornwall and had little involvement with racing. 'I had nothing to do with racing. I was living in Cornwall. I was in Union J for seven years. And I was doing other bits here and there, some acting,' he said. In 2020, the group reunited for their ten-year anniversary, but he hadn't ridden for 15 years. When he moved back to Newmarket, 'I got that hunger again and my best friend suggested riding in the Legends Race. So I thought I'd give it a go for one final time.'
Hamblett's first ever race was at Doncaster over a mile for Sir Michael Stoute. Now, he will ride the same distance at the same track. 'I've always missed it. So to have the opportunity to do it again for a fantastic charity like the Injured Jockeys' Fund is fantastic,' he said. Among his opponents could be recently retired Frankie Dettori, if he recovers from a recent car accident. 'Frankie is a good friend, and it was sad to hear of his accident, but hopefully he makes it to the Legends Race,' Hamblett said.
Documenting the Journey
Hamblett is documenting his comeback for a YouTube series as he relearns the skills he abandoned to become a pop star. He recalled his dual life during the X Factor era: 'At the same time as riding out, I was going back and forth to London for auditions. We had a band called Rewind, which became Triple J when we were invited to audition for the X Factor.' After being eliminated at bootcamp, he returned to riding out at John and Thady Gosden's yard, but was called back two weeks later. 'Fifteen years later, I'm now back at John and Thady's,' he said.
Hamblett reflected on his X Factor experience: 'There were so many pinch-me moments. The X Factor experience was fantastic. It was extremely hard but I wouldn't change it for the world.' He also hinted at a possible Union J 15-year reunion. 'We are looking at doing a 15-year reunion. We haven't decided if it's going to be a tour or a show next year but we'll be doing something.'
For Hamblett, the return to horse racing fills the same adrenaline void as performing on stage. 'I miss that adrenaline. It's the same kind of feeling when you're on stage, performing in arenas and stadiums. That's what I've been missing after Union J split up. Now I get to do it again by riding in the Legends Race.'
