Mick & David Easterby: Racing Syndicates and Racehorse Ownership






Joanna Mason

Joanna Mason


JOCKEY
Joanna rides out countless lots in a morning and also rides as a professional jockey. She is one of the north of England's leading jockeys and has also ridden winners in the International Challenge in Saudi Arabia and the Shergar Cup.



Favourite horse:
Tapis Libre
Favourite track:
York
Biggest race won:
Ladies Derby, Epsom and Queen Mother's Cup, York (as an amateur) and Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Curtain Raiser Classified Stakes 2022 (professional)
First memory:
Being dragged to Point to Points as a kid
Career notes:
When Joanna was a child she had a career ambition to own a sweet shop!
What got you into racing and working with horses?
I don't think I had a choice in the matter. Born/ bred into it and well the rest is history. And I'm still in love with it now.
What is the best piece of advice you've received?
When I first started riding as an amateur many years ago I rode a piece of work with Paul Mulrennan. Asking for advice, he said to squeeze the horse like a tube of toothpaste, get lower and tip the saddle. And somehow that's stuck with me.
As a child, what did you wish to become when you grew up?
I don't know whether I stole this idea off my sister or whether it was mine. But to be a sweet shop owner so I could have sweets whenever I wanted.
What personality characteristic has gotten you in the most trouble?
I'm not sure in too much trouble. But I always get told off for talking too much ..... but hey I'd rather be able to talk than not ?! I suppose it makes me me.
What's the one food you could never bring yourself to eat?
I not a big fan of fish .....so I think it would be Oysters.
What song do you have to sing along with when you hear it?
Oh god I have a singalong playlist on Spotify. So when I'm coming back from the races and feeling a bit tired I put the playlist on. But I think my best would have to be - Avril Lavigne, Sk8er Boi
What's the worst thing you did as a kid?
Well I never did it. But I was blamed for it. The concrete in the walker had just been laid and my brother Charlie decided it would be a good idea to go and walk round it and leave foot prints the whole way round. When dad came in raging asking who had done it, he promptly said it was me....even though his wellies had concrete all over them.