‘Get up, get back on…’
Jess Miller talks to racehorse rider and trainer Rilly Goschen about her life and future plans
Published in January ’19
The Florian Racing Team
Rilly Goschen is a Dorset woman on a mission: to be the first in history to both train and ride a winner at the Grand National. At her Pulham yard on the border of Dorset in the south of the Blackmore Vale, a black and white cat basks luxuriantly in the late morning sunshine as Rilly appears with a boisterous pair of dalmatians bounding down the drive to greet any visitors. ‘Welcome to my world,’ says Rilly.
The place is remarkably pristine. As we move into the enclosed stable yard, the dormitory, four gleaming, contented horses stand in their boxes, watching as we approach: ‘The late, great trainer, John Dufosee, taught me the importance of first impressions,’ Rilly explains. ‘I do a lot of sweeping, sometimes I could be the broom stick. Some say I could fly off on it.’
She introduces her charges: by turn, Wiggins (Ballingarrow), Sam (Seero), Rossi (Little Orange), and Boru (Borugayle). So what does she look for in a horse? She fondly strokes the face of a clearly adoring Wiggins: ‘Strength, power and a good brain, with athleticism, physical correctness and a sound temperament: all are important attributes.
‘Mum and Dad weren’t horsey at all, but they bought me my first pony, Blossie, when I was three and stuck me on it. That was when we lived at Tincleton. I remember having the most horrible fall when I was four and seeing and hearing, through my tears, my father saying “Get up, get back on, you’ll be fine.” I remember thinking, “Yes, I want to get back on!”, so I did, and he was right, it was fine. That first fall was a valuable life lesson. Pick yourself up, keep going. A motto I still live by.’
It was a lesson that stood her in good stead when her beloved father, David, drowned in a boating accident when Rilly was seven: ‘Blossie became my escape from grief. Thereafter my amazing mum, Gilly, took over the running of Florian Tiles, which had been created by my father – thus providing my sister Jessie and I with immeasurable security, and me the freedom to pursue my passion. I owe her so much.’
Rilly on Earthmover on her way to winning the 2004 Christie’s Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup
Rilly joined the South Dorset Pony Club, where she learnt many lessons in life, horse management, riding and etiquette. She had caught the point-to-pointing bug at the tender age of five: ‘My parents went to some local point-points, for the social aspect more than anything. I remember my first day at the races at Badbury Rings and being in awe of the noise, the shifting colours of the jockeys’ silks, the buzz, the thunder of hooves, the roar of the crowd as the horses crossed the finish line. I was utterly captivated. I thought, “I want to do this.” I watched the racing legends such as Robert Alner and Mike Felton. I studied how they rode courses and always found the winner’s line.’
Her first challenging horse was a tricky chestnut mare who ‘taught me patience, and how to solve things in a calm manner.’ When she was fifteen, she went to work for John Dufosee, an established point-to-point trainer based at Nyland, near Gillingham. It was the start of an enduring friendship, both personal and professional, and she is keen to point out how indebted she is to the time she spent under his tutelage: ‘I remember meeting him for the first time. He had a gigantic scar across his face, and this incredible aura. I thought, “This guy’s just like Harrison Ford.” He was an expert with difficult horses and never told me off. If I made a mistake, he’d just ask me why, and how to solve it. He helped me to learn.’
It took her five years to ride her first winner for Dufosee, Great Uncle at Badbury Rings. His response? ‘Can you not let it take another five years to ride another winner for me, please?’ Rilly was ‘more relieved than emotional’.
Lilly riding her 150th winner at Larkhill. Credit: Phil Britt Photography
In 1998, physical problems caused by a prolapsed disc resulted in back surgery. She quit her job at Dufosee’s. The following season, she called champion National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls and asked him if she could ride out at his Ditcheat yard while she carried on freelance point-to-point riding.
‘Paul’s yard was full of girls all vying for rides. I had to wait my turn. After four years, Paul watched me ride a double at the Blackmore Vale point-to-point. He came up to me and offered me a ride at Ayr on Roger Penny’s Earthmover. Next thing I knew, I was on EasyJet, then at Ayr, winning the race easily.’ She won thrice more on Earthmover before being offered to ride him in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham Festival, which, alongside Aintree, is the ultimate; it’s the amateur jockey’s equivalent of the Gold Cup. ‘I cruised around at the back,’ Rilly remembers, ‘gradually passing everyone on the outer until I was in front. We had a telepathic discussion about how to jump the last fence. He popped it accurately and we won by four lengths.’ It was, as she recalls, ‘Magic. It made everything worthwhile.’
In 2003 she leased Chasing the Bride from Susan Hooper, and the Florian Racing Partnership was formed, which ignited her training career and was largely supported by friends and family.
Everything changed in 2007 when Rilly was diagnosed with cervical cancer. The ensuing weeks of gruelling treatment, after which she was given the all clear, made her ‘realise what is important in life. The Florian Racing Club is up and running, and I want to try to win the Grand National.’ When asked if she really thinks it’s possible, she replies firmly: ‘It will happen.’ She rides off towards the gallops in the late morning sunshine and it’s hard not to hope that dreams really do come true.
Join Rilly in fulfilling her dream
The Florian Racing Club has been created for people who are enthusiastic about racing but may never have the opportunity to experience owning a horse due to life’s other financial commitments; the Club owns three! Rilly invites members to join social days both on and off the track and members get regular updates and blogs from everyday life and our progress towards racedays. Joining the club encourages the passion and exhilaration that National Hunt racing has to offer, and gets Rilly closer to her Grand National goal.
Contact Rilly at rilly.florianracing@gmail.com
https://uk.gofundme.com/Rilly-s-Collecting-Box
