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Another success! Bryan Carver makes it six wins from nine rides at Hereford

Bryan Carver: plenty to smile about
Bryan Carver: plenty to smile aboutCredit: Harry Trump (Getty Images)

While many resolve to make changes when the new year begins, red-hot conditional Bryan Carver would be quite happy if the rest of 2020 continues as it began.

The 21-year-old jockey, who turns 22 next week, finished 2019 with a flourish and then started this year in the same fashion courtesy of an 883-1 treble at Exeter on New Year's Day.

County Cork-born Carver had six winners from his last ten rides – including five from his last six – before racing on Friday and is hoping his recent exploits in the saddle will continue to afford him plenty of opportunities.

His scintillating run of form continued at Hereford on Friday, with Carver finishing second on Butler's Brief before a further win on Seymour Sox. He then finished third on his final ride of the afternoon aboard Vaziani.

"Things weren't happening a month ago, I was having the odd winner here and there," Carver said on Thursday. "It's just the quality of horses and once you get a win everyone sees it and it seems when you're in demand you're really in demand."

Carver, who has 19 winners in the bag this season for 13 different yards, added on Thursday: "I've ridden six winners in the last week and they've all been for different trainers which has been pretty surprising, I didn't expect to be riding for so many different yards. A lot of my rides have been through contacts I developed from pointing."


Carver's last nine rides

December 30: Lightly Squeezed wins at evens at Taunton.

December 31: Urtheonethatiwant wins at 4-1 at Warwick.

January 1: Daytime Ahead wins at 12-1 at Exeter.

January 1: Sir Psycho wins at 3-1 at Exeter.

January 1 Cheeky Perry pulled up at 100-1 at Exeter.

January 1 Tile Tapper wins at 16-1 at Exeter.

January 3 Butler's Brief second at 13-8 at Hereford.

January 3 Seymour Sox wins at 11-10 at Hereford.

January 3 Vaziani third at 9-2 at Hereford.


A latecomer to riding, Carver did not sit on a horse until he was nearly 16, and was introduced to the sport through his family.

"My cousin, Killian Leonard, rides on the Flat in Ireland and one day asked me if I wanted to come along with him and help out," Carver explained. "I went with him to Michael Winters' yard and before you know it I was riding a mare out and it just kicked off from there."

Although now attached to Paul Nicholls, Carver began in Britain with David Pipe, a union that was indebted to a now weighing room colleague.

David Pipe: oversaw the start of Carver's stint in Britain
David Pipe: oversaw the start of Carver's stint in BritainCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Carver said: "I'm good friends with David Noonan and his uncle was a postman back home and we knew each other. He asked me what my plans were and it was between going to university or trying to become a jockey. David's uncle spoke to David and he put in a good word for me with David Pipe and before I knew it I was on a flight coming over."

Injuries hampered Carver's time at Pond House as he suffered three broken collarbones and a broken leg. While recuperating at home, he was contacted by former professional and multiple champion point-to-point rider Will Biddick and since then Carver's career has flourished.

Bryan Carver aboard Sir Psycho for boss Paul Nicholls
Bryan Carver aboard Sir Psycho for boss Paul NichollsCredit: Harry Trump (Getty Images)

Biddick runs a pre-training and breaking yard a mile from Nicholls' Ditcheat base, and Carver gained plenty of exposure in the pointing sphere, spending a couple of seasons as an amateur riding nearly 40 winners before turning conditional with Nicholls in the summer.

Carver has benefited from Biddick's tutelage and said: "You're always learning, the person who has helped me the most is Will Biddick, he's brilliant to go to advice for."

While keen for his rich vein of form to continue, Carver is also looking further ahead and said: "I've been lucky to get on a few nice horses and I'll keep tipping away. My main aim would be to get a good start to next season and ride as many winners as possible and go for the conditionals' title. That would be a tough ask this season."


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