Grassroots Profile Poppy Skipper
First Published on GB Pointing
Six-year-old Corporal Jackjones may have looked a lucky winner of the Intermediate on Sunday at Chaddesley Corbett, but trainer Poppy Skipper believes there is more to come from this huge young horse. When the Chris Barber trained Couer d’Alene unseated James King at the second last, Darren Andrews aboard Corporal Jackjones, who was back in fourth at the time, took full advantage of his mount’s willingness to run on and went on to win by a length and a half.
29-year-old Skipper, from Milborne Wick near Sherborne in Dorset, works full-time for dual-licensed trainer Kathy Turner and is full of praise for the whole Turner family. “I worked for Bill for years, then had a bit of time at Syd Hosie’s, but came back in February 2025. Bill was a wonderful man who taught me so much. They are an amazing family and treat me like part of the family.” Bill Turner, whose life was devoted to horses, sadly lost his life in the summer following an accident. Skipper tells me more about her role within the yard and says: “We have about 12-15 in, alongside the racehorses, there are breakers, pre-trainers and some ponies and cobs. It is a varied day, but I enjoy the variation.”
Whilst with Syd Hosie, Skipper had fallen in love with the then five-year-old Corporal Jackjones and, following his final run at Worcester, having shown little since winning two bumpers as a four-year-old, was offered to Skipper with the jockey at Worcester that day deeming him tripless. The princely sum of £1 was exchanged, and the rest is history.
Skipper tells me: “He needed time, he was so big, he is 17.1 and looked a real chaser. I gave him a summer out and then I have just done everything really slowly. He is a big baby, out riding he is so laid back, always looking around him with his mind barely on the job! He won a Restricted last season, and he ran really well first time this season at Larkhill. Sunday was a good race, and I knew the trip of two-and-a-half was too short but options were limited so we took our chance. On paper, a top-four finish would have pleased us, but to win was awesome.” She adds: “I am certain the best is to come, the hunt race at Milborne St Andrew early February will be our aim, that will be like our gold cup!” Owned by The Hive Syndicate, Skipper tells me more about them. “The syndicate is made up of lots of family and friends, a dozen of them pay £10 per week to contribute, and the idea is to have lots of fun! By the time all the children are involved on a race day, there is a big gang of us! Because of that, I try to stay reasonably local because it is important to involve them all-everyone wants a drink and to enjoy the day.”
Corporal Jackjones is trained alone at Skippers Grandparents farm, she says: “The farm is 500 acres, so I am very lucky. It is a wonderful, natural training ground, and I can do something different each day. We host the Blackmore and Sparkford vale point-to-point on the farm too, so we are fortunate to have lovely ground close to hand.”
Skipper grew up hunting with the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale and says: “I did a bit of pony club but mainly hunted, my family are all hunting and racing mad. My grandfather rode in points, and my uncle Tim Sprake was a very talented flat jockey until, sadly, a bad car accident stopped his career. Charlie Sprake is my cousin and rode mine for me last season, so racing definitely runs through our blood!”
Skipper rode five point-to-point winners during her riding career and tells me: “I had some really good fun, I rode my winners for Stuart Penny and rode under-rules and on the flat a bit for Bill. It was during a time where opportunities for lady jockeys probably weren’t as they are now and I never had a lucky break. It was hard to get rides, and I used to get very frustrated. But I don’t regret, nor look back. I love the training side and find it very rewarding. Watching them win is very special.” Of the jockey Darren Andrews, she adds: “I met Darren years ago when I was based with Richard Barber; he is a good jockey, and I am delighted to have him ride for me.”
I am keen to know of Skippers’ ambitions, and if training more than one is on the agenda, she says: “Never say never. I love my job and get on really well with Kathy, there could be the option of running the odd one pointing that then Kathy will have to go back under-rules. It is so easier now to alternate between the two sports, and so many horses can benefit from a stint pointing.”
A name to remember within pointing, and if the Hunt Race victory is achieved, then there is no doubt the party at Skippers lorry afterwards will be the place to be.
