The Cheltenham hero jockey whose mum tried to find him a girlfriend on live TV has had his dream Grand National ride cruelly taken away from him
Cheltenham Festival hero jockey Tom Bellamy became a national treasure after his mother attempted to find him a girlfriend live on TV.
Bellamy won at Cheltenham on 40/1 shot White Noise in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, catapulting him into the spotlight, helped by the public plea from his mother Sue.
And his well-earned recognition on the track for his performances saw him land the ride of last year’s champion Nick Rockett in Saturday’s Grand National; however, his dream was shattered when it was announced that the nine-year-old would not run in the Aintree showpiece on Thursday morning.
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The 31-year-old found out about the news on the Unbridled podcast after Patrick Mullins was confirmed to ride Grangeclare West with Paul Townend on I Am Maximus. The two top horses in the market both for Willie Mullins.
However, despite never riding or even meeting Willie Mullins before, Bellamy was given the ride of last year’s 33/1 winner.
“I must admit, I was just poking my tee into the floor and checked my jockey bookings and I couldn’t really believe it,” Bellamy excitedly said. “It’s massive, humungous.
“My agent rang me and said I might be on the list for Willie if all his were declared. That wasn’t the one I was expecting. It’s unbelievable.”
Podcast host Matt Chapman cheekily asked Bellamy whether Willie selected him for the ride in the hope of boosting his chances of landing him a girlfriend if he won the National.
To which Bellamy brilliantly replied in good humour: “Just leave the girlfriend thing alone right? Let me go and win the f****** race first.”
Bellamy’s perfect response saw Danny Mullins, who was also on the call, quip back: “That must mean he’s already got one in the pipeline!”
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The in-form jockey’s mother Sue made a public appeal for find her son a lucky lady after Bellamy rode White Noise to victory at Cheltenham. Gushing to ITV, Sue said: “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 she was asked 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!”
There’s no doubt that Bellamy would have been the heartthrob of the Aintree meeting had he landed the big prize but Nick Rockett being a non-runner means he is currently without a ride.
Unless he can find another ride through a late jockey change, Bellamy will cruelly miss out on the National.