Hereford racecourse's Keith Ottesen looks forward to Romance at the Races meet (From Hereford Times)

Hereford racecourse's Keith Ottesen looks forward to Romance at the Races meet

7:00am Thursday 9th February 2012 in Local

EMILY Jones, a pundit for racing TV channel AtheRaces, is certainly no stranger to Hereford Racecourse.

Now based in Oxfordshire with her partner Luke Harvey, but originally from the Vale of Glamorgan, Emily has ridden at most racecourses in the country and quite a few abroad.

She chalked-up her first winner at the Glamorgan Hunt Steeplechases on Come On Sonny back in 1989 and since then has booted home around 100 winners on the flat, over hurdles, over-the-sticks and between-the flags.

Emily has even ridden winners on the Arabian horse-racing circuit and in 1999 won the ladies' amateur riders jumps title.

Time goes so quickly that it is hard to believe that twelve years ago she was voted the Lanson Champagne Lady of the Month after winning on Peter's Imp in a flat race at Ascot in 2000.While The Racing Post dubbed Emily's win at Fontwell Park, some years ago now, as their Ride of the Day.

Aboard Droumleigh Lad she got the better of the legendary Herefordshire jockey Richard Johnson on Gate Expectations, getting her mount home by a head.

Emily started off riding for Welsh trainers Dai Burchell and Bernard Llewellyn.

A barmaid back then, she pulled pints by night and rode in races by day.

Such was her determination, she would drive hundreds of miles to ride some no-hoper at some small track in her quest to ride another winner.

She campaigned for more rides for female jockeys for years and is just as passionate about horse racing now as she was all those years ago when as a young school-girl she had her first ride in a point-to-point.

Meanwhile, Hereford Racecourse stage their next meeting on February 12.

Tickets for our Romance at the Races day are just £14 when booked in advance.For all you singletons why not book our Speed Dating ticket?

This includes your entry ticket plus access to the private speed dating suite, a glass of bubbly and the chance to meet the love of your life.

But book now as places are limited.If you want to treat your better half to a romantic meal for two in Silks Restaurant, then the the perfect way to impress that special person in your life is to book the complete package which costs just £39 per person and this includes a two course meal at a reserved table, a racecard and your entry ticket. For more information and to book tickets please phone 01432 273560 or e-mail info@hereford-racecourse.co.uk