Kirsty Milczarek Interview

Kirsty Milczarek is one of the leading women jockeys and has been proving herself against jockeys all over the world to good effect during the past few years. Based in Newmarket she rides out and race rides for Luca Cumani amongst other trainers on both the all weather and turf.

As a 20 year old Milczarek took the decision to leave a very successful show jumping career in which she competed at international level. She broke through into the Great Britain squad when being taught by none other than part of the winning Grand National team, Harvey Smith, who himself came from show jumping. But when money began to get tight she took it upon herself to go in to racing through recommendation of her
brother Jonjo, also an apprentice at the time for Chris Wall.



Kirsty captured the affection of the public back in 2007

During the transition she gained valuable help from Harvey again, and rode her first winner on 18th September 2004. Her willing partner was the Julia Feilden trained Levantine who went off at odds of 12/1 but a determined Milczarek got the Gelding up late on. She would go on to partner the son of Sadler's Wells four more times finishing a best placed 2nd of 19 at Kempton on the turf. That was the only success to the name of Levantine in his career who also went on to be useful over timber.

Kirsty really began to catch the public's eye during the 2007 season over the winter months which culminated in winning the Apprentice title for the winter season. In the same season she had ended up coming overall runner up to Chris Catlin but ahead of female counterpart Hayley Turner. On a personal note I first noticed Kirsty when my mother tried pronouncing her name, needless to say she got the Kirsty part right. If only she had known her more recognised nickname 'Milkshake' we wouldn't of had that problem.

Since that season her career has gone into free fall, and to date her biggest win came aboard the Andrew Balding trained I Love Me in the Tattersalls Millions Auction Trophy at Newmarket. The win came in 2010 when the Cape Cross filly was making her debut and was always up with the pace under a cool Milczarek. You wouldn't have guessed she was making her debut until running around a furlong from home when seeing the crowd. But for the first time Kirsty gave her a tap behind the saddle and she went on again to land the £111,539 winning prize belying her odds of a 50/1 outsider. That remains the filly's only win from 11 attempts and has been partnered by Milczarek a further 2 times, finishing 5th on both outings.

Watch the race here:

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/results/18-09-2010/newmarket/result/379156/200-000-tattersalls-millions-auction-trophy/video

Amongst the trainers Kirsty has drummed up a relationship with is James Toller who trains the apple of her eye with Rewarded. Throughout the first four races Kirsty had partnered him in all of them and together they had a 75% strike rate winning 3 out of four, albeit with one Walkover at Sandown. Since then the duo have found winning harder but have consistently ran with credit including one trip to Deauville. Most recently however Rewarded gained success in the Festival Stakes at Goodwood under two weeks ago, a win which 

Rewarded Earns a big kiss from Kirsty after the
Goodwood win - Picture courtesy of Racing Post

I am fairly sure her screams of delight woke me up over here in Canada.

One of the lesser known facts about Kirsty is that she partnered the much loved mare Snow Fairy to her first career success, of course a filly at the time. This came on the polytrack at Lingfield on Snow Fairy's second visit to the racecourse and pulled away well to win by 3 1/2 lengths from Baby Dottie. That would be her last victory as a two year old, going on to win a listed race at Goodwood before winning the Epsom and Irish Oaks.

Like many in the sport, her career has had its ups and downs, but the future is very bright for a still young Kirsty Milczarek. Amongst herself and weighing room colleague Hayley Turner they have knocked down the wall between Male and Female jockeys, not physically of course. But great success is only round the corner and I would be surprised if this season doesn't bring around a big win or 2 for Kirsty.

Like her good friend Racheal Kneller, Kirsty also writes blogs for 'Racing4Girls' Which is set up and run by BetVictor's representative, Stephanie King. Anyone can visit the website whether you know nothing about racing or are a seasoned expert who has been interested all your life. On that website you will see blogs not just from Racheal and Kirsty but also from, Katie Margason and daughter of Nicky Henderson, Camilla. Everything on the website will help you prepare for a visit to the races and even us guys can learn something from it! The website is http://www.bettingbeauty.com/ and is well worth a visit.

As always I would like to thank the lovely Kirsty 'Milkshake' Milczarek for giving me her time to talk to me. I highly recommend you follow her on twitter, if not for the horse racing banter, for the humorous pictures. You will also find why I couldn't call Racheal Kneller by her 'nickname' in my article about her! Follow Kirsty on @Kirstymilczarek and while you are there drop by and let me know who you would like interviewed next on @Lukeyboy1325.

Thank you once again to Kirsty and I leave you with a recent interview I was lucky enough to conduct with her.

Thank you for reading.


Favourite Racecourse?

My favourite racecourse would have to be the Newmarket July Course as its still very traditional with the old fashioned stands etc and the atmosphere is always buzzing there .
Favourite Horse of all time?

My favourite racehorse has to be Sea The Stars, he was pure class and also my all time racing idol rode him Mick Kinane .

Favourite Racehorse running now?

My favourite racehorse running now has to be my loyal friend 'Rewarded '. I always knew he would have a good day in him and he showed that in good style at Goodwood last week , hopefully he will continue to improve.

Funniest guy/girl in the Jockey room?

there would only be a short head between Franny Norton and Martin Dwyer in being the funniest lad in the weighing room always up to mischief and keeping us all entertained .

Racing Idol?

Mick Kinane

Flat or Jumps?

Of course I'm gonna say the Flat but I do love the big Jump Festivals and I was lucky enough to attend Cheltenham and Aintree this year, I also rode over hurdles and loved it but I will definitely be sticking to the flat.

Royal Ascot or Cheltenham Festival

Royal Ascot because obviously I can take part if lucky enough to get rides but I thoroughly enjoy watching a lot of my friends riding at Cheltenham.

Do you have a party trick you are willing to share?

Party trick?? umm I've only just realised I can make my eyeballs wobble!! yes the discovery was alcohol induced but hey I've not met anyone else who can do it!!

One horse to follow this season?

Follow Kikonga this season I think she is a promising filly.

If you had the chance to ride one horse in all its races this year, who would it be?

Dawn Approach in the Derby.

Attheraces or Racing UK

Both Im sponsored by GBI RACING which is a company made by both RUK and AT THE RACES.

If you weren't a jockey what would you be?

If I wasnt a Jockey I would have loved to be a Paediatric Nurse.

Matt Chapman or Nick Luck

Matt Chapman I guess.

Strictly or X Factor?

Definitely X Factor!! Was great last year coz a friend of mine Jamie Hamblett was in it ...UNION J !!

Ryan Moore or Frankie Dettori?

Frankie Dettori

Favourite sport other than racing?

Believe it or not I really enjoy watching golf!! A good friend of mine is a caddy so sometimes get to go to Wentworth or the Dubai Classic which is great fun.
First Car?

Peugeot 206

Favourite Band/Artist?

Bruno Mars

Favourite Song?

At the moment it has to be Passenger.

Would you rather ride a winner at Royal Ascot, Breeders Cup or The Dubai Carnival?

Well from a money point of view Dubai World Cup would be the one to bag!!

Preferred drink on a night out?

Gin and Tonic or if I'm with Kneller its champagne ALL the way !!

And finally, as always, who is longest in the shower?

Defo Kneller is a shower hogger!!!


Once more thank you so so so much to Kirsty and I will try and set up another interview for you guys soon!

Thanks for reading, let me know what you think!