Horse Racing
Jockey delays honeymoon to make Royal Ascot debut days after wedding
English-born Rachel King, who has become one of the top riders in Sydney since moving down under, has been booked for a leading fancy on Wednesday
An English jockey who has become a star in Australia is putting off her honeymoon to make her debut at Royal Ascot – days after walking down the aisle.
Rachel King rode as an apprentice and amateur in Britain while working as racing secretary to trainer Clive Cox until she went on holiday to Australia 11 years ago and never came back
Since becoming a full-time jockey the 33-year-old has ridden over 600 winners, five of them at Group 1 level, and made headlines in Japan where she rode 16 winners during a short stay earlier this year.
She has returned to her birthplace to marry Luke Hilton, racing manager to Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker, in Oxford on Sunday and also take in Royal Ascot before the honeymoon.
As she is capable of riding at low weights, King has been snapped up by Ed Bethell to ride 12-1 chance Elim in the Kensington Palace Stakes on Wednesday. “Elim has 8st 4lb and the weights are set to stay at that,” said Bethell.
“I know how good Rachel is. I used to work in Australia but she was probably only an apprentice back then. Her record speaks for itself out there and she can do the weight easily which is a big plus in my mind.”
The lightly raced Elim has only run five times, winning twice, and finished fourth on her reappearance at Redcar in May.
“I have kind of saved her for this race,” Bethell added. “Whether she is good enough remains to be seen but I’ve always loved this filly.
“I thought she was a Sandringham filly last year but she had quite a big hold-up which kept her off the track for a while.
“She ran a lovely first start back, finishing fourth, having looked like she was going to go and win but blew up. She has gone for a racecourse gallop in between and I’ve been delighted with what I have seen since.
“I think a fast run mile is going to play to her strengths. We are getting nearly a stone off the top horses. If she can finish in the first five we’re all delighted. It’s Royal Ascot at the end of the day.”
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