Bragging rights up for grabs as three brothers ride at same meeting

Family bragging rights will be up for grabs between the Mitchell brothers for the first time at Nottingham on Wednesday in a rare appearance of three siblings each having rides at the same meeting.

Jack and Freddie and their history-making half-brother Guy have a single mount each, with Jack partnering Gracefullalfie in the 1m½f maiden (1.05) before Freddie and Guy take each other on in the 1m2f handicap (4.55) for gentleman amateur jockeys, aboard Trouble Shooter and The Game Is On respectively.

Their unique feat was delayed in the summer but youngest sibling Freddie is relishing the chance to get one back on Guy, who has finished in front of him in their two previous clashes this year.

"It's definitely the first time it's happened between us. Back in the summer we were all declared to ride at Goodwood, but mine and Guy's were non-runners and, unfortunately, it was just Jack that ended up riding," he said. "Hopefully, our feat can be in a pub quiz one day.

"I say it will probably be just like any other race. The first time I rode against Guy was at Goodwood and I was in front a furlong out and a few lads passed me. I had to double-check one of them was Guy and, unfortunately, one of them was.

"The sibling rivalry has half taken over in me and it's something I'd like to do. We've ridden against each other twice and he's beat me twice, so hopefully I can get one back tomorrow. I need to claw one back."

Freddie (left) and Guy (right) go up against each other in the final race at Nottingham

While there will be a healthy rivalry between them, Freddie, 27, stressed the pride he and Jack, 32, have in taking part alongside Guy, 48, who made history when he became the first jockey to ride a winner with one eye at Goodwood in August last year.

He added: "Guy really is the one that's incredible. Both Jack and I have had quite a straightforward route into riding, whereas Guy has worked incredibly hard to get a licence with having only one eye.

"It'll be quite weird heading to the races with three Mitchells on the card. Timing-wise I don't even know if Jack will be there to see it, he may have shot off by then."

One of the most excited members of the Mitchell clan is father Philip – a five-time champion amateur jockey and regarded as one of the best of his generation – who is hoping for the unlikely result of a winner for Jack and dead-heat between Freddie and Guy.

He said: "To get the chance to see my boys riding on the same day is going to be such a lovely moment. Having three jockeys in the family following on from the days I was riding in black and white pictures is brilliant."

Sibling rivalry - which brothers and sisters have taken each other on before?

While a host of siblings at the same meeting has not happened for a while, it is not uncommon with plenty taking each other on in the past.

Last decade, the O'Brien trio of Joseph, Donnacha and Ana raced against each other on eight occasions, while their other sibling Sarah rode on the same card as them at a host of meetings.

Donnacha (left) and Joseph O'Brien rode together against sister Ana on eight occasionsCredit: Caroline Norris

Over jumps, three of the Carberrys, Paul, Philip and Nina, rode against each other in the 2007 Irish Grand National, while Gavin, Gearoid and Kevin Brouder did the same at Punchestown on New Year's Eve in 2018.

Historically, the Mullins dynasty regularly used to compete against each other and Willie, Tony and Tom rode for their father Paddy in the 1988 Champion Hurdle.

Read this next:

2.15 Nottingham: 'I expect him to be very close' - Mick Appleby reveals a strong fancy

Stradivarius to stay in training next year as Gosden maps out three-race plan

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday