Flying start to the year for Flat trainer's son firing in the winners over jumps

Jockey Tom Midgley might be the son of a Flat trainer but he is taking the jumping game by storm following a prolific start to the year.

January has been a breakthrough month for the son of Malton trainer Paul Midgley with five victories from 17 rides, including a high-profile success on northern star Tommy's Oscar.

Midgley started his riding career on the Flat but followed his father's footsteps by becoming a jump jockey due to his rising weight.

Thirteen of his 22 victories (two on the Flat) have come this season and the 20-year-old, who is attached to the Yorkshire stable of Sam England in Guiseley, is determined to keep the good run going.

"I've had a good month, starting with Tommy's Oscar and then getting busy towards the end, and the more winners you have, the better you ride," he said.

"Sam and Jonny England do well with what they have and put me on the right ones and I'm getting a lot of outside rides. I ride for a lot of good trainers, my agent Richard Hale is doing a great job, and seem to go to the races with a chance every time I go. It would be nice to get to 20 winners for the season and I'll keep grafting, ride as many winners as I can and we'll see what happens."

Paul Midgley: Flat trainer spent ten years as a jump jockey

Midgley is not short of people to go to for advice, as his father spent ten years as a jump jockey before turning to training.

"Dad rode over jumps and did all right but struggled with his weight and had to stop earlier than he wanted to," he said. "He's always there to help me and if either of us thinks I've done something wrong we chat about it afterwards.

"I've been around horses from an early age and was mad into farming at one point but decided to give riding a go. I started as an amateur on the Flat for Dad and was champion novice amateur in my first year.

"I was 9st at that time and then just grew and grew and now I'd be about 6ft and the lightest I do now is 10st 4lb. I switched to the jumps and probably turned professional too soon, but we're tipping away all right now."

Midgley, who has recently reduced his claim to 5lb, enjoyed a big thrill when partnering Tommy's Oscar to victory at Musselburgh on New Year's Day and watched on with interest as the seven-year-old won the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock under regular rider Danny McMenamin.

"It was a great opportunity and a privilege to be able to ride a horse like him," he said. "He's obviously a very progressive horse and with a bit of luck he'll go and run a good race in the Champion Hurdle."

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