Jockey Harry Cobden reached the 1,000-winner milestone at Market Rasen on Tuesday, describing the achievement as 'marvellous'. The 26-year-old rode Emma Lavelle-trained hurdler Indemnity to victory in the 2m½f contest, with the horse sent off as the 5-4 favourite.
Cobden, the 2023-24 champion jockey, had been waiting several days for the landmark success after five previous rides at odds of 3-1 or shorter failed to deliver. 'It was something I always wanted to do,' he said, 'and it's a great way to start the season.'
The Somerset-born rider joins an elite group of British jockeys who have achieved four-figure wins, including Sir AP McCoy, John Francome and current champion Sean Bowen. Cobden has 27 Grade One successes and six Cheltenham Festival wins to his name.
Looking ahead, Cobden identified the Cheltenham Gold Cup as the race he most wants to win. 'Out of all of them it is the one I have always wanted to win,' he said. He hinted that Caldwell Potter, a grey chaser part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and trained by Paul Nicholls, could be his mount for the race. The seven-year-old, who cost a record £633,000 at auction, is 25-1 in the Gold Cup market.
