'I wasn't getting a thrill out of it any more' - Ella McCain quits the saddle

Former jockey Ella McCain has no regrets after deciding to quit and return home to work for her father Donald's powerful stable in Cheshire.

The youngest of the Grand National-winning trainer's two daughters, McCain had her first ride in 2017 and rode 43 winners on the Flat.

The 21-year-old took up the role of apprentice for Tim Easterby in the summer of 2020 and rode 25 winners last year. However, she has not ridden since February and has decided on a change of career.

"I stopped two months ago as I wasn't really enjoying it and wanted to do something I enjoyed," she said. "I had a good job and was getting plenty of opportunities and rides so I couldn't say it wasn't going well, but the lifestyle just wasn't for me.

"I was given lots of really good opportunities by Tim [Easterby] and I'm grateful for everything he did for me, but I wasn't getting a thrill out of it any more.

"I spoke to a few people including my agent and he said if I wasn't enjoying it to stop now because you don't want to waste your life doing something you don't enjoy. I've not regretted it for a second."

McCain is assisting her father with a particular focus on the stable's expanding Flat team.

"I'm back home and getting involved with the Flat horses and going racing a lot for Dad," she said. "He's got nine two-year-olds and a few sprinters, so there's a few nice horses. I'm flat out, so it's good."

McCain, the granddaughter of four-time Grand National-winning trainer Ginger, hails from a family steeped in racing history. Her elder sister Abbie, 22, is a conditional jockey at the stable, but she is not expecting to join her back in the saddle any time soon.

"I'm only young so if I wanted to get back into it I could, but I can't imagine it," she said. "I've seen horses I used to ride go and win and it's not bothered me. I've not missed it.

"It's very difficult when you stop because you don't know what else to do. I never really thought about the training side of things, but I spoke to Dad a lot and he said I could come back and learn plenty from him."

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