Top jump jockey on to winner with Simple sponsorship

The firm’s recently-acquired subsidiary, Simple Landlords Insurance, believes it has backed a winner after agreeing to sponsor the jump jockey for the coming season in a bid to raise its own profile.

Scholfield, who has ridden horses since the age of two and who came to racing prominence at the yard of champion trainer Paul Nicholls, will wear the firm’s branding on his breeches and riding equipment, with the firm hoping that its logo will gain recognition from racegoers.

One of the youngest ever riders to complete the Grand National course, Scholfield is preparing for a potentially landmark season – he has high hopes that his brilliant Cheltenham Festival winner Hunt Ball could provide him with a first Group One success in November’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at the Cotswolds venue.

He is also looking forward to riding top horses like the Nick Williams-trained Diamond Harry, a former Hennnessy winner, and Michael Flips from the stable of former jump jockey Andy Turnell, after branching out from the all-conquering Nicholls yard to seek further opportunities.

The sponsorship deal came about because Scholfield has ridden previously for Direct Group chief executive Derek Coles, who told the Yorkshire Post: “We’re delighted to be able to sponsor Nick and support him on his rise to the top in his profession.

“We’re confident his winning streak will continue.”

Scholfield, who turned professional in 2008, added: “I’m really enjoying my sport at the moment, and the extra support from Simple Landlords Insurance will be a huge help to my career.

“This backing gives me further confidence in bagging some high-profile wins this season.”

He said racing was an expensive profession – despite the rewards – because of the costs involved in travelling and paying other costs such as agents and valets.

His rise mirrors that of Simple Landlords Insurance which has become one of the largest providers of landlord and buy-to-let property insurance in the UK over the past five years.

Having joined the Direct group stable in May, it now has 50,000 active policies that are administered from its call centre at Elland near Halifax.

Based in Doncaster, Direct Group is a major player in the insurance industry, providing services to financial institutions, corporates and affinities.

Its services include underwriting, policy administration, premium collection, distribution and claims handling.

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