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'I started to think I was never going to be able to do it' - amateur jockey David Maxwell rides out his claim
David Maxwell said he has no immediate plans to end his storied career in the saddle after he rode out his claim on In D'Or at Taunton on Thursday.
The amateur jockey, 47, rides his own horses and achieved the milestone in bold style as he made all on the Venetia Williams-trained In D'Or in the 2m7f novice handicap chase. A big yet awkward jump at the final fence sealed a three-length victory over Herakles Westwood.
"I started to think I was never going to be able to do it," Maxwell told Racing TV. "The lads were joking with me that it's the most anybody's ever spent riding out their claim, and for 25 years as well!
"When I came into the sport, I came to ride a few point-to-point winners – it's just nobody's told me to stop. It's a middle-aged man's obsession – for some people it's cars and for me it's horses.
"It's not hard to get out of bed early when you have nice horses to ride. When a horse can gallop like that and come up for you at the last, that's what it's about. I'm going to go back home, have a cup of tea and maybe a glass of champagne with the wife."
On his plans for the future, Maxwell added: "As long as it's fun and we're safe, that's the main thing."
Jackpot prospect
Jackpot Des Bordes did not jump smoothly and took some organising but won the 2m½f novice hurdle in the style of a decent long-term project for Harry Cobden and Paul Nicholls.
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