Woods to return from Hong Kong

13 April 2012

Former Newmarket-based jockey Wendyll Woods is returning to his roots, just after his brother Sean has left to train at the former colony.

Wendyll, 39, has not ridden in Britain since 2000 and signed off in Hong Kong last Sunday with his biggest win on Caracoler in the Queen Mother Memorial Cup for handler David Haynes.

"David had promised me a winner before I left, and was as good as his word," said Wendyll.

"I'm flying back next Wednesday and I expect to start riding again on 24 June if my licence is through by then.

"I know it will be very hard for me because the season is already in full flow, but I'm prepared to graft and I'm looking forward to it.

"Sir Mark Prescott has said he will support me and hopefully things will fall into place. I just need a couple of good rides to get me going."

The talented Woods began his career as an apprentice to Guy Harwood and rode his first winner on Harwood's old 'schoolmaster,' Big Pal. He jokes that he was born "in the middle of the Woods", being flanked by older brother Dwayne and the younger, Sean.

Their father, Barney, went to Bangalore in India where they were brought up, to ride after being leading apprentice in Ireland. Now

Dwayne runs the family stud at Woodsway, Newmarket.

When Sean took out a training licence here, Wendyll rode his first runner, Spanish Storm, to be third in no less a race than the Cork & Orrery at Royal Ascot. And Wendyll was on board Expansionist and Cosmic Star when Sean saddled his first double at Thirsk.

There are two Woods sisters as well. Tara has no connection with racing, but Alex is married to Macao trainer David Thompson.

One of Wendyll's greatest friends was jockey Brian Taylor, who rode Snow Knight to victory in the 1974 Epsom Derby.

Taylor later died after a racing accident and his family gave Wendyll his saddle, which he still has to this day.

CALLER ONE, the US sprinter who is set to clash with the Aidan O'Brien-trained Johannesburg in the Group I Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday week, is still battling against a foot injury.

Currently housed at Geoff Wragg's Newmarket yard, in preparation for the big sprint, Caller One lost a shoe at the weekend from his near-fore foot, in which he had earlier sustained an abscess following a race in Singapore. Caller One, has already won £2 million in prize money worldwide.

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