Success stories Racing Staff Week - Jemma Marshall

My name is Jemma Marshall, I’m currently employed full time by Tom Ward as head travelling person, I’m also President of NARs (National Association for racing staff).

I am the proud owner of Secret Brief (Briefy). Briefy was in training with Mark Johnston where he won his maiden followed up by both 6f and 7f Tattersalls Million sales races at Newmarket. He moved to Charlie Appleby’s (Godolphin) where he raced in Dubai and England.

I started working for Charlie 2015/16 winter in Dubai, I came back and continued for him in England. My first day I remember seeing a horse at the front of the string bucking and shaking his head and tail, basically being a bit of a handful and thinking I hope I never have to ride that one!

The following winter I went back to Dubai, after a few weeks I got paired up with a horse called Secret Brief, turns out this was the horse I saw that very first day in Newmarket, the love affair started!

I always rode him our first lot and always found the best lead horse to sit behind. He could whip round on the six spence, I fell off him quite a lot in Dubai!

When we came came back the following March Briefy was entered in the Lincoln, I didn’t look after him and I hadn’t ridden him much back in England but I was lucky as the lad who looked after him didn’t want to go, so I took him! I told everyone that would listen he was going to win, the ground was soft and I knew he would love it, he won!

The following winter we went back to Dubai, Briefy dropped me one morning and dislocated my shoulder, the very next day he suffered an injury that ended his racing career. Godolphin flew him home and he recuperated in their rehoming scheme. I had left their employment and when I found this out I just had to give him a home!

We are currently in our second season eventing having successfully gone clear at the renowned Barbury Castle. There have been a lot of tears of joy and frustration but I wouldn’t change him for the world, he is my best friend!