'I don't think I'll come across another like him' - Amber Jackson-Fennell thrilled at multi-tasking Exeter success

Amber Jackson-Fennell is best described as a multi-tasker given in Sunday's Exeter racecard she was down as owner, breeder, trainer and rider of the unbeaten point-to-point bumper scorer Amatchmadeinheaven.

A work rider for other yards to pay the way for her fledgling operation, the Oxfordshire-based 23-year-old is also a champion point-to-point novice rider, having ridden 13 winners in the 2022-23 season. 

Jackson-Fennell was almost born in the saddle and enjoyed a variety of equestrian disciplines growing up. Her love for all things racing came when she was a teenager and it was from there that she set about riding in points.

On Sunday's victory, where she and her flashy chestnut gelding Amatchmadeinheaven came home the 7-4 favourites, she said: "It was something I wanted to achieve, it was a shame I couldn't ride the last time at Larkhill, but it was brilliant to get it done. I can't believe it to be honest, he's a super little horse.

"I grew up around horses, my mum got me into it and taught me how to ride. We used to have a mixture of ponies, and did showing, show jumping and Pony Club, a bit of everything, although I didn't get into racing until I was about 17. I went to the racing school and I think I'm in my fifth or sixth season pointing now.

"I've been very lucky, I've worked for some brilliant people, once I left the racing school I went to Charlie Longsdon to do my apprenticeship. I wanted to go pointing and the only way I could get a ride was to have my own horse, that's when I bought his [Amatchmadeinheaven] mum and she was my first pointer actually."

The four-year-old was following in his dam's footsteps, running out an eight-length winner under Martin McIntyre on debut in a Larkhill point bumper. He followed up, this time with Jackson-Fennell in the saddle, at Exeter on Sunday with a length and a half success. 

"Everybody keeps asking me if I'm going to sell him, but from my point of view I don't think I'll come across another horse like him. If the opportunity comes to put him under rules next season I think that would suit him better than pointing. I'd say we'd go to the Aintree Bumper next and I think it would suit him better around there."

There is a poignant backstory to the talented son of Schiaparelli as he is the only foal out of Heaven Scent, a daughter of Phoenix Reach who won over hurdles for Ann Duffield and then a Godstone point with Jackson-Fennell after a spell with Donald McCain. 

The latter success came almost a year to the day after Amatchmadeinheaven's birth in May 2022, a win now with even more poignancy attached. 

"He's the only foal from her," Jackson-Fennell added. "He was a lockdown baby and once he was born we brought her back into work. She won a point and then unfortunately got injured after a few more runs and we lost her. He's the spitting image of her and he rides just like her, which is lovely."

While Jackson-Fennell has enjoyed her experience of training and breeding a racehorse, the Welsh-born rider wants to concentrate on her career in the saddle. 

She added: "The riding's most important to me, the training I just do because if I didn't train I wouldn't have any rides as it's so hard to get outside rides pointing. We've got a lovely little team at home and maybe it would be something if we had another mare at home in the future, but it's just very costly. There's nothing to say I wouldn't do it again but it's not my aim."

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