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Twenty-year old jockey sensation Harry Cobden thrilled fans at the Betfair Ascot Chase in February, with four winners over the event. Cobden has a growing reputation for runaway successes, with a total of 257 wins in the last five seasons. Cobden is the stable jockey to legendary horse trainer and former jump jockey Paul Nicholls, whose success overall includes 2966 GB NH Winners and counting, as well as 10 trainers' championship wins in the last 12 years. During the 2015-2016 season, his first at Paul Nicholls Manor Farm Stables, he recorded his debut Cheltenham Victory aboard Old Guard, followed by a Grade 3 Greatwood Hurdle win aboard the same horse.
With the backing of Paul Nicholls, Cobden's reputation as a winning jockey is accelerating; his recent form includes 13 wins of 39 rides in the last 14 days, with 86 wins over the 2018-2019 season. He will be riding current second favourite Clan Des Obeaux in the Gold Cup plus many other fancied runners at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival.
He was interviewed this week by horse racing news website GG. Here is what we learned.
His astonishing four wins at Ascot have him 'buzzing' for what's to come.
Harry Cobden certainly has all eyes on him after his four-win success at Ascot. Beating out celebrated horse Waiting Patiently on Cyrname, Harry Cobden told GG that the day was "definitely one to remember."
"You just get an absolute buzz," he said, reflecting on the event. "The atmosphere at places like Ascot etc. is brilliant."
Interestingly, Cobden says that the Ascot-winning celebrations didn't last long. "I went to the Manor at Ditcheat to celebrate with the staff," he said to GG. "I only stayed for about half an hour as I had to make the three-hour trek to Huntingdon the next day."
For Cobden, riding in the Cheltenham Gold Cup is a dream come true
At the age of 20, Harry is already fulfilling lifelong dreams; in the interview, the successful jockey said that he has been dreaming of riding in the Cheltenham Gold Cup since his school days.
"I remember those days when I was still at school watching it on TV," he said. "To ride any horse at the Cheltenham Festival is absolutely fantastic but having a ride in the Cheltenham Gold Cup is a dream come true to me.
Cobden is predicted to ride Clan Des Obeaux in the prestigious race, which consists of 22 fences over 3miles 2 ½ furlongs with prize money of £625,000.
"It's really exciting for the owners," he added. "I am keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well with Clan in the run up to the festival and he delivers on the day."
The success of Cyrname has been a real surprise to HCobden
Cyrname's incredible front-running, wide-margin win at the Betfair Ascot Chase was one of the highlights of the event; but Cobden wasn't always convinced he'd become the highest-rated horse in training.
"He has not been the easiest horse to train/ride since coming from France," he told GG. "I always thought he was going to be a good horse, but I did not think he would be currently the highest rated horse in training."
Interestingly, Cobden ascribes Cyrname's achievements to trainer Paul Nicholls.
"Mr Nicholls has done a brilliant job with settling him and giving him the confidence he needs," he said.
Cyrname and Clan Des Obeaux have completely different strengths
Although both horses had success with Cobden at the Ascot, their approach and personalities are dissimilar.
"Clan Des Obeaux is a very relaxed horse and jumps and travels well," he said. "Cyrname is quite a keen going character who has to go from the front.
"They are both extremely talented horses," he added.
There's so much to look forward to at this year's Cheltenham Festival
With Cobden's success at Ascot, there's big anticipation for him at the Cheltenham Festival, with all eyes on Clan Des Obeaux's Gold Cup chances'.
