A jockey’s mum savagely joked she would find her son a girlfriend on ITV after he rode a huge 40/1 outsider to victory at the Cheltenham Festival
Tom Bellamy’s mum has made a public appeal for her son to find a girlfriend, following the jockey’s shock victory in the first race of day three at the Cheltenham Festival.
Bellamy was riding White Noise in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and left punters gobsmacked as he beat off competition, including 1/1 favourite Bambino Fever to clinch the win at 40/1. The triumph marked Bellamy’s maiden Cheltenham victory, leaving him lost for words during his post-race interview.
“I’ve waited my whole life for this day,” he confessed to ITV after guiding White Noise over the finish line. “I genuinely am speechless, I cannot believe it. Delighted for the team at home who’ve helped my whole career.”
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His mum, Sue Bellamy, then shared her joy with ITV, exclaiming: “It’s what dreams are made of!”.
“It’s amazing, a big price, great for the yard, the lads, the lasses and the mother who has to put up with him on the way home because it has gone badly.”
When quizzed about what Tom could look forward to next, Sue gave an unexpected response and suggested he needs a girlfriend, saying: “A girlfriend! Anyone out there… he’s a nice lad!”.
Place de la Nation (28/1) and Oldschool Outlaw (15/2) were the nearest rivals to White Noise in the Mares, but it was Bellamy’s 40/1 horse that crossed the line first to secure a massive victory.
In the second event, the Jack Richards Handicap Chase, Meetmebythesea, a 10/1 shot, emerged victorious under the guidance of Ben Jones and trainer Ben Pauling.
A beaming Ben Jones shared his thoughts with Racing TV: “It’s just a dream come true… I grew up watching great jockeys in these silks. Riding a winner for JP at the festival, it doesn’t get much better.”
The punters did have something to cheer later on as odds-on favourite Wodhooh won the Mares’ Hurdle. But the Ryanair Chase favourite Fact To File, who was priced as low as 8/11 last night, has been pulled from the race due to concerns over the ground.