Valet offers £2,000 reward for information leading to return of stolen gear

Valet David Mustow is offering a reward of £2,000 for information leading to the safe return of the jockeys' gear that was in the van he had stolen after racing at Chelmsford on Thursday.

Mustow was holding the equipment – saddles, boots, britches, goggles and so on – of around 15 jockeys who rode at Chelmsford that evening and were due at Lingfield on Friday, none of which has value on the open market as riding gear as it is all specialist equipment for Flat jockeys and so in very small sizes.

Two lads in baseball caps were captured on CCTV breaking into his van and driving away from the hotel where he was staying. The police have opened a file on the theft and given him an incident number but he has heard nothing since.

Mustow said: "I'm not worried about the van but I want to get the gear back and so I'm offering a reward of £2,000 for information regarding the whereabouts of the equipment that leads to its safe return. It's no good to anyone, so hopefully someone will come forward."

He added: "The jockeys have been absolutely brilliant about it. Martin Dwyer stopped off at Tesco on his way to Ascot on Saturday and bought me a phone specially for taking calls, texts or messages on the theft, and William Buick and James Doyle are among those who have offered to help in any way they can.

"Everyone is being very helpful, and, as Tom Queally said to me, nobody has died and it's all replaceable. They would obviously all like their kit back though if possible."

Anyone with information can call Mustow on 07928 269009.

Ten things you might not know about jockeys' valets – in Sunday's Racing Post and online for members from 6pm on Saturday