AMATEUR jockey, Luca Morgan from Rudge near Frome, has been awarded one-to-one tuition from renowned jockey, AP McCoy.
17-year-old Luca recently competed in the PPORA ‘Road to Stratford’ championships, a grassroots national organisation supporting amateur racing, which he won, giving him the title of champion novice rider.
As part of his award, Luca will receive one-to-one masterclass tuition from AP McCoy, a record 20-time consecutive professional champion jockey from Northern Ireland.
Currently Luca is employed as an amateur jockey by Johnny Farrelly, a racehorse trainer based near Wellow. He has been riding since the age of five, taught to ride by Heather Collingwood at Brookover Equestrian Centre in Orchardleigh. From the age of nine he began pony racing which took him all around the country.
At the age of 14, Luca caught the eye of the Irish amateur horseracing community and was lucky enough to race in Ireland much earlier than he would have been in England, giving him valuable experience over his peers.
He then graduated from pony racing and gained an amateur jockey licence on his 16th birthday.
He now rides for local and national trainers across the country, having early success winning three races. The team has travelled as far north as Anwick near Newcastle and west as far as Wadebridge in Cornwall.
After winning the PPORA ‘Road to Stratford’ championships, Luca is now hoping to turn professional later this year. His trainer, Johnny Farrelly, will also be awarded with the PPORA ‘Road to Stratford’ leading point-to-point trainer award. Luca’s horse, Gingilli, will be the leading GB horse in the championships.
