Tom Bellamy remains at the very top of his game after his elusive Cheltenham Festival success aboard White Noise. Bellamy had a staggered beginning to the season, having had numerous injuries in the build up. However, in determined fashion, Bellamy has easily broken his personal best of 51 winners in a season.
Six of his last nine rides have seen him in the winners enclosure, including a three-timer at Kempton on Monday. Speaking to the Racing Post, Bellamy said: “I got injured in the Grand National last year and missed the start of the season. I then missed six weeks in August with another injury. And another week in winter with more injuries. So to get the numbers on the board I have has been incredible, really.
“It hasn’t been easy, but it’s big numbers for me and I can’t grumble in the slightest. I feel in a very privileged position that I’m riding for yards who are in great form and have nice horses. So it makes my job very easy.”
Cheltenham winner a ‘childhood dream’ – Tom Bellamy
Since David Bass went freelance, Tom Bellamy has developed a formidable partnership with Kim Bailey and Matt Nicholls. The pair are operating at a 22.68% strike rate in the last 12 months, including a Cheltenham Festival winner.
White Noise was expertly ridden to success by Bellamy as she landed the Grade 2 Mares Novices’ Hurdle. Her sole defeat this season came at Warwick, when just failing to fend off Kingston Queen. Speaking about the race, Bellamy said “it was phenomenal. I felt like my whole career had been missing that and it was a childhood dream. And as soon as you do it, it’s not a case of, ‘that’s done now.’ I can’t wait to do it again.”
The victory has propelled him to the forefront of connections minds, and Bellamy is reaping the rewards. “It’s definitely helped and it’s a good selling point because you’re in people’s minds. It makes my agent’s job a bit easier too,” said Bellamy.
“Winning breeds confidence, but it’s a funny game and I still can’t quite get my head around how form works. When you’re in form it seems to roll along nicely. When you’re out of form it can be just as tough. You enjoy the good times because there’ll be bad ones. It’s about staying level-headed and not changing anything.”
Bellamy has three rides at Warwick later today, all for three different trainers which emphasises his elevated demand.