Meet Yorkshire's newest - and youngest - racehorse trainer Jess Bedi who is following her dream

She said racing had been an integral part of family life, with her grandmother Sandra Barker and late grandfather John her inspiration.

“My grandad was a farmer and he and my grandma always had point to pointers and racehorses. There were always horses in training and I was brought up around them.” Her first taste of competitive riding came when Jess was around 12 years old on the pony-racing circuit, before graduating to point to points.

There the young rider made a big impression, competing largely on her own horses.

“I had eventers and decided to buy myself a point-to-point schoolmaster. I bought Iron Chancellor and he was brilliant.

“We won six races in two seasons and he was only unplaced twice.”

Iron Chancellor is still with Jess on the family farm, which is now run by her brother Charlie.

Jess combined her point-to-point riding with a degree in textiles at Teesside University.

“I studied textiles through my A-levels and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. The course at Teesside meant I could do my course work and still ride point to points.”

Leaving university and wanting to pursue a career in racing, Jess said getting her training licence was always part of the plan.

She said she received a great deal of support from Racing Welfare through its Careers Advice and Training Service (CATS).

“I didn’t know what was involved in getting the licence and CATS were a big help.

“I had to have an NVQ before I could do the modules and they also helped me apply to the National Trainers Federation for a grant to get through the modules. I really couldn’t have done it without them.”

Jess was completing her modules bit by bit but with the season ending prematurely and lockdown in force she decided to put her focus on her studies.

“My family is really supportive and my dad encouraged me to get on with my licence,” she said.

Becoming a fully fledged trainer in September, Jess has had her first run with a horse she said was “confident would try his hardest”.

Ridden by her boyfriend, professional jump jockey Aaron Anderson, the pair came home in fourth place.

Aaron also rides out with Jess, who said the yard was very much a family affair, with brother Charlie, mum Sarah and dad Vinay all involved, along with Jess’s grandmother Sandra.

Jess said: “It is part of the family and I am really lucky to be able to leave university and follow my dreams.”

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