Amy Ryan - A Jockey’s Diary: Return to York brings back fond memories of Sir Henry’s achievements

I never had the privilege of riding for Sir Henry but quite a number of my weighing room colleagues did so and they have always spoken very highly of him as a trainer and a gentleman.

Of course, Sir Henry’s record at York Racecourse was fantastic, including sending out the last two winners of the track’s richest race, Frankel and Twice Over both obliging in the Group 1 Juddmonte International at the Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival. He will be very much missed in our sport.

I am back at York this afternoon. After hitting the crossbar a number of times in the last week and more, I was delighted to secure a winner at Beverley on Wednesday and I’m hoping I can add to that victory on Knavesmire.

Chooseday went very close at Chester last Saturday, just falling short by three-quarters of a length. He goes in the Bell Trailers 25th Stakes at 4.10pm today.

This will be his fifth run of the season, but he is a big horse and he is in good form. I really think he could go very close this afternoon.

The following race is the Garbutt & Elliott Stakes at 4.45pm and my mount is Capaill Liath. He’s not the most straightforward horse and I last won on him at Newcastle 13 months ago. However, he does have ability and if he wants to put in the effort then he can be good. He has won at major racecourses like Newmarket and Ascot, so now he needs to add York to that list.

I am off to Bath on Saturday, but my father’s yard has a quintet of horses running at York under my colleague Neil Callan. The one I would pick out would be Pintura in the Listed Ian And Kate Hall Macmillan Ganton Stakes at 3.15pm.

The gelding won last time, three weeks ago, at York in the conditions race, the 32Red Casino Stakes, so he has an obvious chance to come back to the same racecourse and win again.

I am taking four rides at Bath Racecourse on Saturday afternoon.

The main reason for heading to the West Country is to partner Danfazi for North Yorkshire trainer Kristin Stubbs in the 2.30pm race.

He has been getting closer to breaking his duck and has been sent out as favourite on his last two outings at Redcar and Newcastle. He lost by only a quarter-of-a-length at the latter.

He’s being sent down to Bath to see if he can win his maiden.

My other three rides are not horses with which I am familiar. Hal Of A Lover, Devon Diva and Triple Dream go in the 3.40pm, 4.45pm and 5.15 races respectively.

This will be the 86th career run for Triple Dream, trained by Milton Bradley. He clearly knows how to win though, having racked up 10 victories.

Next week it’s Royal Ascot, of course, where I am due to partner George Rooke in the Britannia Stakes on Ladies’ Day on Thursday. The issue will be whether he will get into the starting line-up such is the competition for places. He’s won twice so far, both at Catterick, and finished mid-division in a handicap race at York’s Dante Festival last month.

I’d like to take this chance to wish the very best of luck to the 12 intrepid riders in the Macmillan Charity Race at York tomorrow. I know the effort that goes into training to ride a thoroughbred and have been fortunate to enjoy the thrill of winning at York. They have all been raising money to add to the impressive £5.5m already generated by the day. I wish them well.

York Racecourse hosts racing today and tomorrow. Tomorrow features not only the Macmillan Charity Sprint Trophy, the most valuable sprint handicap for three-year-old horses in Europe, and the Queen Mother’s Cup, but also the Macmillan Charity Race which will be contested by amateur riders raising money for charity. Gates open from 11.15am, with first race times of 2pm and 2.05pm respectively. On the day admission is from £5-£24 today and £7-£36 tomorrow. As always, accompanied under-16s are admitted free of charge to all areas. More information can be found online at www.yorkracecourse.co.uk