Riders and trainers do their bit to lighten the mood during lockdown

Have we seen the champion jockey of 2045? Young Brodi Curtis succeeded where many a rider has failed this winter by matching strides with his soaraway father in a video designed to bring cheer in troubled times.

Ben Curtis was running away with the all-weather jockeys' championship when racing was halted and has already ridden 68 winners in 2020, 22 more than the next most successful rider Luke Morris.

He is aware of the gloom the shutdown has brought so posted a cheery video of himself riding a simulator, alongside enthusiastic toddler Brodi on his rocking horse.

"It's about keeping fit and keeping a bit of enjoyment going," Curtis said of the video, which was filmed by his wife Shauna in their Thirsk home.

"There's so much negativity on the TV all the time at the moment. I think it's imperative to have a bit of a positive attitude towards it.

"The way the climate is now you've just got to try to keep going forward and remain positive because it's a time when a lot of people will be struggling with mental issues.

"The world is an unprecedented state at the moment and we're all looking forward to getting some positive news, wherever it may come from."

Brodi turns two next week and Curtis said: "He loves anything to do with horses, he's obsessed. When racing is on he spends most of his time watching Sky Sports Racing or Racing TV, riding in front of it.

"I got the simulator back about two weeks ago, I had it dropped over from Ireland, and it's ideal because I can keep fit and it keeps him entertained as well! It was a bit of fun to put the two of them upsides."

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Curtis admitted that not knowing when racing may resume is making life hard for those enduring an enforced break.

"It's a tough time for everyone," he said. "If we were given a timeline in racing we could work towards it and have something to aim at. At the moment everyone is just hoping it's something we can get through sooner rather than later. I know it's impossible because the medics just don't know but it would be a godsend if we had a timeline to work towards.

"I was lucky, I had a great winter which put me in good stead for now, momentum was with me but we're all in the same boat and when the time comes and the curtain rises we've got to be ready to go."

Fergal O'Brien's Twitter account is invariably a source of entertainment and he has risen to the occasion – or rather a couple of canine friends have.

He posted videos of two dogs showing off their jumping technique, stylishly clearing an obstacle on the schooling ground.

"It's Tommy, one of Chris Coley's retired greyhounds who won about 18 or 20 opens, and my own dog Meg," the trainer said.

"We're thinking we might do some dog racing up the gallops and see if we can keep the bookmakers going!"

Less energetically, jump jockey Daryl Jacob posted a photo of the egg and bacon sandwich he was able to enjoy thanks to the shutdown, captioned "Something different on a Sunday morning".

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