Point-to-Point racer The Reverend lands debut victory

Mar 11 2009 by Patrick Wells, The Journal

STEEPLE-CHASING should be race-horse owner Fiona Sample’s favourite event – she is a vicar after all.

The ‘Racing Rev’ is the proud owner of a point-to-point thoroughbred – The Reverend – which won its first major race by 25 lengths at Kelso.

The hunter-chaser was given to Reverend Sample, 53, of South Middleton Farm, Scots Gap, by her husband, Charlie, 55, an ex-jockey and fifth-generation land agent on the Welbeck Estates.

He was presented to her after her ordination lunch last June.

She has been a horsewoman all her life and said that she was keen to revive the celebrated tradition of the sporting vicar.

Mrs Sample said: “I was thrilled and humbled by the by the incredible kindness, generosity and imagination of my husband in giving me such a wonderful present.

“At the turn of the century there was an abundance of us. We are now in the minority and I am hoping to go a little way to redressing the balance.” Her horse’s name might sound like divine inspiration, but in fact clerical names are not uncommon in horse-racing.

As Mrs Sample said: “I often dream of having a clerical stable. There’s another horse called Vicar – and one called Anglican.” A horse that might not be on her list, however, is one called The Randy Bishop. The Reverend has now proved himself a real blessing, winning the 4.45 Ship Inn, Dalkeith Open Hunters’ Steeplechase on February 28.

Mrs Sample attributed this success to the wisdom and generosity of her husband, and to trainer, Robert Coupland, who so far boasts a 100% success rate. But it seems The Reverend also deserves some credit:

“He’s a genuine honest horse, a true Christian,” said his proud owner.

A second horse, Hartburn, which Mrs Sample co-owns fell badly on the final circuit but was unhurt.

Hartburn is named after one of Rev Sample’s churches in the joint benefice of Whalton, Hartburn, Meldon, Bolam and Netherwhitton.

Mrs Sample moved to the North East when she was married in 1978 and has three children: Edward, 27, Archie, 25, and Matilda, 11.

Before she became an equestrian pillar of the faith, Mrs Sample was a music and religious studies teacher: “It’s a short step from teacher to preacher,” she said.

She is now Honorary Chaplain and a part-time teacher at Mowden Hall School and spends the rest of her time campaigning to increase the number of nurses on NHS hospital wards – a campaign she became involved with after her husband suffered a serious illness.