Sky’s the limit for Riders’ Programme graduate and aspiring jockey Meg Lyth

It has been over a year since we brought you the inspiring story of Meg Lyth who, after attending a Racing to School event at Sandown in February 2018, decided to embark on a career as a Racing Groom; she now has the ultimate aim of becoming a jockey.

In early 2019, we reported that, after successfully completing her nine-week course at the British Racing School in Newmarket, Meg had just started an apprenticeship with trainer Emma Lavelle at her yard in Marlborough.

A lot has happened in the intervening 15 months and today we are delighted to reconnect with Meg for an update on her career.

Meg is keen to emphasise that it has mostly been day-to-day hard work. “I’ve done a lot of riding out, looking after the horses and plenty of trips to the races (until the last few weeks of course),” she said.

“I have even started doing a bit of schooling, which I love and get really excited for every time.”

The hard work has clearly paid off for Meg, as last year she was shortlisted for the David Nicholson Newcomer Award at the prestigious Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards and, while not successful this time, to be in consideration is still a fantastic achievement. Undeterred, Meg went one better when she won the British Racing School’s female Apprentice of the Year award, receiving this at the Ladbrokes Winter Meeting at Newbury last November.

“It was the same day that (stable star) Paisley Park won the Long Distance Hurdle and we were presented with our prize (a personalized embroidered whip) by his owner Andrew Gemmill, it was a really special day.”

However, when Meg is asked about her highlight so far, it isn’t the awards that come to mind, it is in fact a quiet Thursday afternoon at Wincanton at the end of January. “I was there with a horse called Runswick Bay, who I had ridden everyday since he came into the stable as a unraced four-year-old, it was his first time on a racecourse and he won by 3¼ lengths,” said Meg.

“To bring a horse to the races, who I’d worked every day, lead him up and then watch him win while stood with his owner, was really amazing. I was so proud and it was such a great day.”

Meg says that she is lucky that all the staff have been kept on during the lockdown, albeit with reduced hours, and she is able to look at the positives. “I have been able to ride throughout the lockdown, which is great. Emma and Barry have been helping me with schooling and, even now, have put a lot of time into me, which I am extremely grateful for.”

Meg added: “I am keen to use this time to improve my skills towards becoming a jockey, which remains my dream. Let’s just hope racing returns soon!”

Everyone at Racing to School is delighted to see the progress Meg has made so far, and with her positive attitude and hard work, we are sure she will continue to improve. We are proud of her and all our young people who are forging out their careers in the sport.

Once racing resumes, we will be running our Riders’ Programme days with The Pony Club and Equine Colleges, hopefully inspiring others like Meg who can follow in her footsteps.