Jim Crowley: 'When you ask him to stretch he gets low like a cheetah'

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Every jockey is waiting for that one special horse to etch their name into racing’s history books. When Battaash scorched the Knavesmire turf to a scintillating Nunthorpe success in 2019, Jim Crowley may have thought that moment had come. But three years later, at the same track, along would come another one. A better one. The brilliant Baaeed.

Crowley comes from Ascot and, after beginning his horseracing career as an amateur Flat race jockey, he initially switched to the jumps, riding for the stable of Sue Smith.

He rode approximately 300 winners before returning to the Flat, riding for his sister-in-law, Amanda Perrett at Pulborough, and the rest is history.

I caught up with the former champion jockey to find out more and to ask him about the horse-of-a-lifetime, Baaeed.

You used to be a jump jockey but made the switch to the Flat, how did that come about?

My father in-law, Guy [Harwood, former trainer], would always say to me you should concentrate on the Flat. His daughter, my sister-in-law, is trainer Amanda Perrett. I used to ride work for Amanda during the summer and one year I decided to take my Flat licence out, just for a bit of experience really and it sort of snowballed from there. I was lucky that Amanda helped me so much during the beginning and I still ride for them now. That really got me going and they gave me a lot of support and I will always be grateful for that. I was lucky that in my first year I won the Chester Cup and the Brigadier Gerard Stakes and it was a no-brainer to stay on the Flat.

You went on to be a stable jockey for Ralph Beckett, tell us about your time there . . .

I probably did four to five seasons with Ralph, we were a really good team, I rode a lot of winners for him and he gave me the opportunities to ride in Classics – I got to ride some lovely horses. He’s an excellent trainer and I learned a huge amount there.

You landed a huge role with Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. How did that come about?

I don’t think I even had a ride before I was offered the job for Sheikh Hamdan. Obviously it was on the back of being champion jockey in 2016 and I got a phone call at the end of the season from Angus Gold [racing manager] asking if I would be interested and I was blown away. Those jobs don’t come around very often – there are four to five jobs in the world so if you get a job like that, it’s amazing. It was fantastic to think Sheikh Hamdan had told his trainers that he was keen for me to ride his horses. I grew up watching those horses. The likes of Nashwan and Willie Carson, Dayjur and Salsabil, Shadwell have had so many good horses over the years so it was a great privilege and honour to get the job. A great job which has led to great things, none greater than Baaeed.

When did you know he was special?

Pretty much the first day I rode him. I won the Sir Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmarket and I knew he was pretty good then. I hadn’t had a feeling from a horse like him before and I remember William [Haggas] asking me after the race how good I thought he was and I don’t think he quite believed my response at the time, because he had a lot of nice horses in the yard. From day one he gave me the feel of a very, very good horse.

As a racehorse what is it that is so brilliant about him?

He seems to have everything, there are not many horses who can tick every box. Some might pull or be a bit keen but he just does everything right. He has got a fantastic mind and he has got the most unbelievable turn of foot. When you ask him to stretch he gets low to the ground, like a cheetah, he really gets low and uses himself, uses his whole body. He could win over 6f and he could probably win over a mile and a half if people wanted him to. He’s just different, it’s hard to explain, I have ridden some good horses before but he just seems different.

A delighted Jim Crowley after winning the Juddmonte International on Baaeed last weekCredit: Edward Whitaker

Before the Juddmonte how did you feel?

It’s really strange, I have never felt pressure riding him. I did a little bit last season – going into Champions Day, for example – but going into the Juddmonte I didn’t feel pressure. I’m not being arrogant because racing can go wrong but I was very focused, calm and I just felt that provided everything goes smoothly, I know how good he is so I’m not worried. I don’t have any doubt with him. Going to sleep the night before was like a kid on Christmas Eve going to bed. I was just excited for the next day.

Would there be any concerns about him getting the trip should he line up in the Arc?

Look, he’s that sort of horse, he would do whatever we asked him to do I think.

What makes his trainer, William Haggas, so good?

His attention to detail is fantastic. He eats, breathes and sleeps it. Maureen Haggas is an exceptional horsewoman – she was a very good event rider in her own right. The combination of the two makes for a great team and their staff are unreal – great work riders at home – it’s a combination of everything really.

Aside from Baaeed, who are the top five horses who you have ever ridden?

In no particular order Battaash, Ulysses, Mohaather, Hukum and Mustashry. They are all top-class horses who I admire and they tried hard for me.

What race that you haven’t won yet do you want to win the most?

Ha! The Arc!

What’s the best race you have ever won?

I’ve been lucky to have had so many great days. Up until the Juddmonte it was Battaash breaking the track record at York [2019 Nunthorpe]. Wednesday was just . . . [takes breath] my wife and children came to watch and the reception we got from the crowd – I’ve never experienced anything quite like it. Even walking into the paddock, everyone was 20 deep packed around the paddock to see him – it was really special. I only had the one ride that day, I didn’t want to take one earlier. It was just the best day ever. The Yorkshire crowd are very knowledgeable and love their racing up there, he got a really amazing reception, it was quite emotional. To have Sheikha Hissa at York too, I think it meant so much to her. Obviously she sadly lost her father not so long ago and I think for this horse to come along for the whole family is great. She is very knowledgeable and is so interested in horses – I will speak to her after all of our runners, whether it is a Wolverhampton evening meeting or a day meeting. She’s so keen and interested and it is great that she has taken it on board.

Out of all of the youngsters you have ridden this year, which one would you be excited about?

That’s a good question, the majority of ours are middle-distance pedigrees this year. I haven’t sat on Baaeed’s half-brother yet, but he is doing everything at the right time at the moment so I am looking forward to throwing my leg across him. Although he is not a Shadwell horse, I wouldn’t give up on Royal Scotsman, who won the Richmond Stakes. He was disappointing the other day, but he’s a very good two-year-old and I’m sure there will be plenty more to come from him.

I hear that your three children are keen riders

Alice is 15, Bella 13, and they are into their showjumping. Alice and Evie McCoy [daughter of Sir AP and Lady McCoy] are good buddies and on the show-jumping scene together, it seems to be the place to be! My son Sam also rides, we spend most of our weekends now at shows and I am stood there around the ring getting told where to go and what to do. Sam is into football too and he has trials for Brighton. If he doesn’t do that I’m sure he could make a jockey.

Read this next:

Baby Baaeed set to hit the racecourse as a juvenile – unlike his brother

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