Meet the 21-year-old jockey who has a 100 per cent strike-rate

Freddie Larson, a former semi-professional footballer, scored aboard his first ride at Southwell on Tuesday just 18 months after taking up riding.

The 21-year-old won the 6f claimer aboard 13-2 shot Thrave for his boss Mick Appleby, who he joined from Andrew Balding in August.

"It's a brilliant feeling and I couldn't have asked for a better start," said Larson, who graduated from the British Racing School in 2019.

"I knew he'd have a chance if he ran to form. I ride him every day at home and he's taken a bit of sweetening up since joining the yard. He handled the track really well and we managed to judge the pace."

His route to becoming a jockey was unorthodox, but Larson believes there are plenty of transferable skills from his time as a footballer.

Watch Freddie Larson win on his first ride at Southwell

"I was at a few professional clubs when I was younger and was on trial for months. I played semi-professionally for some non-league clubs but was short of opportunities. You want to make a difference.

"I fell out of love with the game and I never thought I would, as I had played football since I could walk. I started working with my Dad. He'd be the first to admit I wasn't much good as a welder.

"One day he said, 'You're a sportsman and you're small. Why don't you give being a jockey a go? They just jump on and go flat out, you'll be all right, just hang on', and I started looking into it."

Mick Appleby: 'If you work hard he will always be the first to give you opportunities'

Larson hoped to pursue a career at a jumps yard but was persuaded to start on the Flat. He joined Balding as a work-rider and said he learned a lot before joining Appleby as an apprentice this year.

"I get on really well with Mick," added Larson. "If you work hard he will always be the first to give you opportunities. He's putting me up and helping me get some experience going into next year."

Read more:

He deserves a medal! Showjumper leaves it late to win on first ride as a jockey

'Helping to save lives' – former jockey turned firefighter proud of award win

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