Grab a Chat: Finley Marsh
- Grab The Reins Racing
- Aug 8
- 4 min read
Finley Marsh is a British flat racing jockey with a solid record across both turf and all-weather surfaces. We caught up with him to discuss his past and future in racing.
Quick Stats as of August 7th 2025
Total Rides | 1,361 |
Total Wins | 172 |
Win Percentage | 13% |
Total Places | 459 |
Place Percentage | 34% |
Profit/Loss (P/L) | +£161.52 |
Performance by Surface
Surface | Rides | Wins | Win% | Places | Place% |
All-Weather | 819 | 114 | 14% | 284 | 35% |
Turf | 542 | 58 | 11% | 175 | 32% |
Best Tracks by Win Rate
Course | Rides | Wins | Win% | P/L(£) |
Newcastle | 12 | 5 | 42% | +25.50 |
Ayr | 1 | 1 | 100% | +4.50 |
Catterick Bridge | 2 | 1 | 50% | +3.00 |
Wolverhampton | 328 | 41 | 13% | +83.41 |
Kempton Park | 177 | 24 | 14% | +114.37 |
Season so Far (August 2025)
• Rides: 206
• Wins: 25
• Win Rate: 12%
• Place Rate: 38%
• P/L: +£92.43
The Interview
We asked Finley some questions about how he began his racing career, horses he’s enjoyed riding and where he sees himself in the future. We thank Finley for his time.
"I always wanted to be a photographer or a chef , but neither did a path like the racing industry take me in. One thing led to a next and my career as a jockey took off."
How did you get in to horse racing?
"At first I just wanted to ride horses never to think that I would one day become a professional jockey."
Finley had always been interested in horses but did not have the chance to properly engage in the sport until he was 13 years old. He enjoyed riding horses for fun and never envisioned he would make a career in equestrian sports.
The stables that Finley learnt to ride at is called Burcott Riding Centre and is owned by Bob Andrews, who has a big connection to the racing industry. One day Mr. Andrews came across Finley as he was learning to tack up a horse and told Finley he was going to make him a jockey, this confused Finley as he had no knowledge of horse racing and had only recently begun learning to ride.
The next week Bob Andrews took Finley to Bath Racecourse, the local track to both Finley and Mr. Andrews. Finley instantly fell in love with the sport and from that day on he agreed with Mr. Andrews that he was going to begin his career as a jockey.
"I was in love with every aspects of racing, my mind was set and I wanted to be a jockey from then on in".
What trainer did you first ride competitively for?
"My Boss and mentor Richard Hughes, he took me under his wing nearly 9 years ago and been with him ever since".
Richard Hughes is an English based jockey turned racehorse trainer based in Berkshire, England. Over a 25-year career in the saddle, Hughes amassed 2,428 domestic winners, becoming British Champion Flat Jockey three times (2012, 2013, 2014). His major wins include the 1,000 Guineas, Epsom Oaks, and multiple Group 1 races across the UK, Ireland, and France. After retiring in 2015, Hughes began training at his yard, Weathercock House, out of Lambourn. To this date, Hughes has trained over 200 UK winners.
Who is your favourite horse you have ridden?
Finley told us his favourite horses he has ridden is Bracken's Laugh, owned by Bernardine And Sean Mulryan, and trained by Richard Hughes.
Bracken's Laugh run his first race at Newbury in 2023, winning the Haynes, Hanson & Clark Novice Stakes. Finley also went on to win the Woodford Reserve Cardinal Conditions Stakes on Bracken's Laugh at Chelmsford in 2024, then followed it up with a 2nd in the Boodles Raindance Dee Stakes at Chester.
"He has so many gears with a huge stride. He gives the the feel of a racehorse you’ve been waiting for all this time."
What is your most memorable moment and your biggest success so far?
"Losing my claim is up there as it was such a rocky road to get there, I was in tears crossing the line when it finally happened."
Finley told us in this 2024 interview that he has not had a major win at pro level yet but we would like to highlight some of his biggest career successes.
On the 25th May 2025 Finley rode Fair Angellica to win the British Stallion Studs EBF Cathedral Stakes (Listed Race) at Salisbury. Finley has been one of the lead riders for Ireland in the 2025 racing league, winning the Racing League Race 9 Handicap aboard Sudden Flight at Wolverhampton.
What is your favourite racecourse?
Finley told us he loves Ascot but it is difficult to get rides at the track, he has had 6 rides and 3 placings at Ascot so far in his career.
Finley told us he enjoys Bath Racecourse, as he feels he judges the track well as well as having a good amount of luck there! He is correct as he has had 48 rides, 5 wins and 12 placings at Bath Racecourse, earning prize winnings totalling £18,318.
What is your dream race to win?
Finley gave u two answers to this. The first is a race that all jockeys can agree they would like to win is the Dervy. The 2025 Betfred Derby (In Honour Of His Highness Aga Khan IV) was won by Lambourn, taking home the 1st prize winnings of £909,628.40.
Finley also told us he would also like to ride in a race at The Breeders Cup Classic. The 2025 Breeders Cup Classic will take place at Del Mar Racetrack in California on November 1, with top Thoroughbreds competing over 1 1/4 miles for a purse of $7 million.
What advice would you give to a young jockey?
"If you have your goal of becoming a professional jockey, don’t let anyone say you can’t. The path there is as rocky as they come but the harder you work… the luckier you’ll be."
We thank Finley for taking the time to chat with us about his career and his future, we wish him all the best in his future rides and ventures.
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