FORMER Premier League and Republic of Ireland footballer Jay Tabb will experience another kind of sporting thrill when he takes to the saddle for the Fitzdares Racing Welfare Charity Flat Race at Wincanton tomorrow (Sunday).

The 37-year-old enjoyed a 16-year career as a midfielder, working his way through Crystal Palace’s youth academy before undertaking spells at Brentford, Coventry, Reading and Ipswich alongside gaining 10 caps for the Republic of Ireland’s under-21 side.

Hobbs’ horses

On retirement Tabb, who was introduced to racing and racehorse ownership by a teammate, learned to ride and began working for leading National Hunt trainer Philip Hobbs in 2019.

“I got into racing through one of my old teammates who used to, whenever we travelled away for matches, watch racing on TV so I used to watch it with him,” he said.

“Then we got involved in a couple of syndicates and we managed to get our own colours and own our own horse.

“Whenever we’d go to the yards to watch them train on the gallops I always thought ‘it’d be amazing to try that’.

“When the football finished I thought I’d give it a go and go up to the Northern Racing College but before that I’d never had any experience riding horses.”

Demands

Tabb quickly became aware of how football and riding place different physical demands on the body.

“In all sports you can be fit in that discipline but when you go to another sport you find it to be totally different, that’s what I found with riding horses,” he said.

“The jockeys on TV make it look easy but it definitely isn’t when you’re on a horse, at first it was hard getting used to being in that position for a while.

“At the moment the fitness side of it seems to be going well, I’ve been doing a lot of work on the equicizer and I’d like to think I’m as ready as I can be.”

Hobbs has two horses earmarked for Tabb to ride in the race: “I think it’s between Rolling Dylan and Umndeni, they’ve both got entries as well this weekend and next week so I think whichever one doesn’t take up his entry I will probably ride at Wincanton,” Tabb said.

“I’ve been sitting on them this week and getting to know them, they’re both really nice horses and nice rides so whichever one I’m on I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.

“I’m really good friends with all of the jockeys down there so as soon as I know exactly what I’m riding for definite I’ll see who’s been riding him and have a chat with them on the phone and see what the best way to go about it is.”

Welfare

Tabb’s priority is to enjoy the experience and contribute as much as possible to Racing Welfare. “First and foremost I just want to make sure we get down to the start and jump off and then anything from then is a bonus,” he said.

“Both of the horses I’m possibly riding are good horses and have had good careers so I’d like to think I have a chance of having a nice race, but I think the most important thing is raising money for the charity and enjoying the day and enjoying the experience.

“All the riders are raising money for the same charity and it’s a great charity, hopefully we can raise as much as possible.”

Go to Jay’s Just Giving page if you wish to donate.