SELKIRK jockey Sam Coltherd celebrated his 21st birthday in the best possible style at Musselburgh Races on Monday, steering his mount Chanceanotherfive to a seven-length victory in the ‘Join Racing TV’ Handicap Hurdle.

“Having a winner on your birthday doesn’t happen very often,” Sam said after the race, “so it was a bit special, and helped round off what was a great weekend.”

Chanceanotherfive is trained by Sam’s father, Stuart Coltherd, at his Clarilawmuir yard just outside Selkirk.

The horse’s victory is Stuart’s 54th win over jumps since April, 2015.

Meanwhile Monday’s win is the 57th of Sam Coltherd’s racing career, and the 21-year-old is now 18 victories away from gaining his full professional jockey’s licence.

Currently enjoying a successful season, Sam’s win at Musselburgh is his fourth in November, following hard on the heels of victories on Ardera Cross (at Ayr), Pookie Pekan (Carlisle) and Casimir Du Clos (Hexham).

Sam’s victory at Hexham last Wednesday was particularly noteworthy, for in the previous race his mount, Graystown, fell heavily at the first fence.

Despite experiencing some discomfort from a leg injury sustained after being thrown from the horse, 25 minutes later the young Selkirk jockey was back in the saddle to pilot Casimir Du Clos to a convincing five-length win at odds of 6/1.

“That’s just the highs and lows of horse racing for you,” added Sam modestly. “One minute you’re down, and then you get back up and go and win.”

Sam, who is based at Yorkshire trainer Sue Smith's Craiglands Farm yard, certainly doesn’t have time to rest on his laurels.

In the coming week he has rides booked at Wetherby, Doncaster and Newcastle.

Very much a case of ‘Have Horse, Will Travel’!