Elated Jamie Neild rides first winner in father's 'Ginge Army' silks

Just four years ago amateur rider Jamie Neild had never sat on a horse yet at Ascot on Saturday the affable 24-year-old was celebrating his first winner under rules when teaming up with Townshend in the 3m handicap chase.

Wearing the familiar colours of his father John Neild, the larger-than-life owner who celebrated plenty of big-race success with Splash Of Ginge, Neild jnr was squeezed dry by his dad after returning to a hero's welcome.

"It's an indescribable feeling," said the winning rider. "I only started riding four years ago and have ridden around Sandown, Newbury, Cheltenham and now a winner at Ascot.

"If someone had said that then I'd have laughed at them. My father has been very generous and got this horse for me to ride at Doncaster last May. Hopefully that justified it and I'm only going to get better."

Jamie Neild in the winning colours of his dad JohnCredit: Getty Images

Based with Harry Whittington, Neild is hoping victory can lay the foundations for a successful career in the saddle.

He added: "That was my last ride as an amateur and I'm going to turn conditional now with Harry and give it a proper go. I'd imagine I'll probably ride that lad in the Plate at Cheltenham and that could be my first ride as a conditional."

Leading the celebrations in the winner's enclosure was Neild snr, who surprisingly was struggling to find the words to describe the moment.

"It's just unreal," he said after a moment's pause. "I can't believe it – he'd never sat on a horse until he was 19 and he's come such a long way. To come and do that around here – I'm a bit speechless to be honest, which is unusual for me."

He added: "We've had a tough year. We've retired Splash Of Ginge, which was the right thing to do but it was the end of an era, and that feels as good as any winner we've had before.

"I'm over the moon and I'm off to drink the bar dry!"

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