'I've got four rides on Saturday and I've never even met anyone out there'

People might think the life of a jump jockey is about trudging to the Hexhams and Plumptons of this world, but Jamie Bargary has spent the last two weeks dodging sunburn and improving his golf handicap as he quarantines in the Caribbean in advance of his American adventure.

Closely associated with the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard since moving to Britain from Ireland, Bargary is due to spend the summer in the States and hits the ground running at Middleburg racecourse in Virginia with four rides on Saturday, including one against 2018 Arkle ace Footpad in the $75,000 Grade 2 Temple Gwathmey Hurdle.

"I thought it would almost give me a new lease of life because the last couple of seasons in Britain have been pretty dull," Bargary said from his hotel in the Dominican Republic, where he is isolating.

Footpad: due to run in the States on SaturdayCredit: Caroline Norris

"I've been here 12 days and got two more left before I get to America on Friday morning.

"I haven't really left the resort. It's got all you want, a golf course next door, which is all I've been doing really and they've got a good gym, which I've also been using. It's 32C most days, but I don't spend much time in the sun as I'd be scalded otherwise."

The 26-year-old rode out his claim in 2018, the year he also won a valuable Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham on Ballyhill and also captured Sandown's Imperial Cup on Mr Antolini.

"The jumps season in the US is April to September, which is a pretty quiet time in the UK even for the top jockeys," he added.

"For someone like me who might get ten to 15 rides a month in the UK in the summer, it makes complete sense to go and try to make some money in America. I've got four rides on Saturday and I've never even met anyone out there.

"If they can see I can ride and I can make a good impression on the first day, then hopefully more people will want me; I've no doubt in my own ability."

Bargary's numbers have dwindled in recent seasons, but he hopes this spell can restart his career.

Jamie Bargary and Nigel Twiston-Davies after Mr Antolini won the Imperial CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I didn't necessarily go through my claim fast, but I went through it well and was riding winners, and good winners, mostly for Nigel Twiston-Davies as Sam [his son] had the Paul Nicholls job at the time," he explained.

"I never really branched out or made commitments to other people, so when Sam came back I was riding second to him sort of, but it just stopped working.

"I rode The Hollow Ginge for Nigel at Kelso in October and broke my elbow off him, which set me back massively."

A talented footballer, Bargary, who has the support of Maryland-based trainer Cyril Murphy and leading owner Irv Naylor, got a kick out of capturing Newbury's Mandarin Handicap Chase on the John Flint-trained Amateur in front of the ITV cameras in December, but that was just one of four winners he rode in Britain last season.

"I don't think anyone else wanted to ride him, but the Mandarin used to be quite a significant race and it still meant a lot to show I was able to do it, especially on ITV," he continued.

Jamie Bargary winning on Amateur at Newbury in DecemberCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"I love riding horses, but at the end of the day it's about making a living and I've not made enough the last couple of years. If this is something that can boost my career financially and my name, then I'm all for it. I don't really know anyone in America and it's a big step, but I didn't know anyone in England when I left Ireland at 18. It's a big challenge but I'm looking forward to it."

Tom Garner has paved the way for visiting jump jockeys in the States in recent seasons, riding three Grade 1 winners, and Harry Beswick is also on his way across the Atlantic.

He is due to quarantine for two weeks in the Bahamas and flew from Heathrow on Tuesday, saying before he left: "I've got to do five days in a hotel room and then I'll just go surfing for the rest of it.

"I went to the US with Charlie Deutsch when we were younger and did some track work, but it'll be my first time riding over there.

"I'm going to Virginia, where I've a few friends and contacts, and it's a bit of a blank canvas, so I'll see what it's like. I would have been pretty quiet over here and it's a change from going to France for the summer."

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