SISTERS Sam and Jacqueline Coward have promised ‘not to fall out’ – after they made history becoming the first siblings to hold a combined training licence.
Racing is full of fathers and sons – think John & Thady Gosden, Simon & Ed Crisford – who have gone into work together.
Sisters Sam and Jacqueline Coward are believed to have made history by becoming the first siblings to hold a training licence together
But the Coward girls are believed to be the first and only siblings taking on the challenge.
Jacqueline was a champion jockey in the point-to-point sphere and has been training since the 2015-16 season.
While Sam, a granddaughter of legendary handler Mick Easterby, has been helping out mum Cherry with her point-to-pointers.
It was huge racing figure Mick, who trains alongside son David, who convinced the pair to join forces.
They had their first runner as a duo at Thirsk last week and came just half a length from their first win courtesy of Valley Of Flowers at Carlisle on Saturday.
The 33-1 outsider, ridden by another of Mick’s granddaughters Jo Mason, just went down to 5-2 fav Fast Fred in a 1m3f handicap.
Explaining the decision to link up, Sam told the Racing Post: “Grandad was always keen for me to join Jacqueline on the licence as he likes all of his girls to be doing well and getting recognised for it.
“And he also makes sure none of us fall out.
“It’s really exciting. Jacqueline has stepped back a little bit lately as she’s running around looking after two little children and I’ve been doing a bit more.
“So it felt like the right time and made sense to jump on the licence.
“We’ll try not to fall out too much.
“We work really well together, Mum [Cherry Coward] has had point-to-pointers all her life, and I’ve been helping out Jacqueline plenty before.
“I still ride out a bit too and Mum has still got pointers, but she’s taking a bit of a step back too.”
The Cowards currently have four horses in training and will aim to combine runners on the Flat and jumps.
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