'Utter disbelief' - one-eyed jockey makes history with winner at Goodwood

Guy Mitchell finally fulfilled an ambition lasting three decades when he made history as the first jockey with one eye to win a horserace in Britain at Goodwood on Sunday.

The 46-year-old racecourse doctor, who first applied for a licence as a 16-year-old but had his first ride only last year, was "shattered" and in "utter disbelief" after crossing the line in first on the Simon Dow-trained 50-1 shot The Game Is On in the first division of the 1m1f amateur jockeys' handicap.

Mitchell, who has been blind in one eye since the age of three, was having just his fourth ride and stunned when speaking after his big moment. He said: "Disbelief, utter disbelief. I've waited a long time for that. I never thought it would happen.

"I first applied aged 16 and I'm now 46. At the time, those were the rules and I wasn't allowed. I applied again at university and wasn't allowed. I kind of gave up for a bit, I did ride out every now and then.

"For some reason a couple of years ago I just thought I thought I'd give it a crack. I spoke to Dr Jerry Hill [BHA chief medical adviser] to see whether there was a way we could see in a bit more detail that I can prove I could do it. I've worked much harder to get fit. Last year when I had my first ride, I couldn't walk after it, it was ridiculous. I've made strides."

The race nearly went badly wrong at the start, but Mitchell gave a frank assessment of what that first winner really felt like.

He said: "I nearly fell off at the start, they said 'blinds off' and I had one hand on the reins and the other on the blind and he just went with them. I was slightly out the sidedoor for a bit, which actually benefited as it got me a good position.

Guy Mitchell: 'If anyone wants to give me a ride at Ascot in October, I'll be all over it!'

"I thought they were getting away from me coming down the hill, but I edged him out on to what I thought was a bit better ground, nursed him along a bit, started riding him and to my surprise he picked up.

"Before I knew it I was in a situation where everything around me went silent, which I thought must mean I'm in the lead, but I really don't know. I was so knackered at this stage, pushing as hard as I can. I could hear Serena [Brotherton] coming, but he stayed on and I was surprised he stayed on. I was relieved, utterly relieved."

The medic, son of former trainer and champion amateur rider Philip Mitchell – who Dow used to be assistant to, and half-brother to jockeys Jack and Freddie Mitchell, has followed the lead of Guy Disney, who in 2017 made headlines as the first amputee jockey to win a race in Britain, and referenced his fellow amateur when touching on changing attitudes in British racing.

Members can watch the replay of Guy Mitchell's historic win at Goodwood here

Mitchell said: "I just think it's become more open to people. David Crosse, it's well-known he's a type-1 diabetic and 30 years ago there's no chance he would have been riding. You've got Guy Disney, riding with half his leg off. We can still ride and we can still ride safely, so as long as that’s the case, why not?"

The jubilant amateur was also looking forward to the future, adding: "I've always wanted to ride at the tracks where I work as a doctor, so here, Windsor I've ridden at, Ascot is next – so if anyone wants to give me a ride at Ascot in October, I'll be all over it!

"I just want more rides. I've had a winner, so if I get more winners that's fab. I'd like to ride in the Amateur Derby, I know it's not the race it used to be but I'd still like to ride in it."

Read more:

Racecourse doctor with one eye set to make history by riding in race

Guy Disney: blown up by the Taliban, half a leg and a full quota of courage

'There are no words to describe it' – Khadijah Mellah makes history at Goodwood

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