Former Notts County youth player Jamie Parkes comes third in horse racing debut

Former Notts County youth player Jamie Parkes has come third on his horse racing debut.

The 18-year-old was released three years ago from the Meadow Lane academy for being too small, but coach Mick Leonard suggested the prospect of going down the jockey route.

Although Parkes was not interested at first, given his disappointment at failing to make the grade at Notts, he soon warmed to the idea and began learning the ropes, enrolling at the Northern Racing College near Doncaster.

After graduating from the college, Parkes spent time with Mick Appleby prior to joining Martyn Meade’s Newmarket stable.

On Wednesday his journey took the next step up when he raced in the 20:45 at Wolverhampton, partnering Sociologist for Meade in a 1m1f handicap, and came third in the race.

“Football was my life, it broke my heart,” Parkes told the Racing Post.

“I was sceptical about being a jockey at first. I didn’t sit on a horse until I was 16, but now I love it and I'm really looking forward to making a career in racing.”

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