In Conversation with Kym Hughes

Lissa Oliver in Conversation with Kym Hughes, hero of her novel Sainte Bastien

Lissa: How did you come to find yourself at the centre of the Sainte Bastien plot?

Kym: It’s still a bit of a mystery to me, actually. I don’t even think I am the central hero. You’d probably be better off interviewing my boss, Mr Marchant, or his son, Dominic. Although I can see why you’d rather just sit down with me, actually. I don’t suppose either of them are very willing to be interviewed.

A good point! So, why do you think you’re in the middle of a drama?

I’m not sure. Jealousy, perhaps? I’m not even so sure there is any drama. I keep feeling it’s all in Mr Marchant’s head. Or I’m being paranoid. This is all a bit new to me and I just keep thinking it’ll be gone again overnight, so maybe I’m just looking for problems that don’t exist.

You sound a bit confused – when did these problems, real or imagined, begin?

Real. There have definitely been a few genuine incidents. But accidents or deliberate, I don’t know. It began a few weeks ago. I’ve only just got the job as stable jockey at Sainte Bastien. It’s the best racing stable in Britain and the best job in racing. It’s usually a job for life, but Mark, the previous stable jockey, unexpectedly retired early. Back problems; he couldn’t ride any more.

People are saying I was the best available, best of a bad bunch. I’m not blind, I know I’ve not the best CV out there, but I’ve ridden winners in the past for Mr Marchant and I’ve kept my head down and worked hard for the past ten years. I just didn’t get any lucky breaks, until now. I’m determined to make the best of it and prove any critics wrong.

So what’s been going wrong exactly?

Just niggly little things. Silly things. I had a fall, no one to blame, my horse pulled a bit and clipped the heels of the horse in front. That put me out of action for a week. Mr Marchant blew his top – it was my first week riding for him. Nothing as bad as that since, but lots of minor falls. And daft things, like getting the blame for leaving bits of tack around the yard and getting my head bitten off by Mr Marchant. He doesn’t suffer fools gladly and I’m trying his patience a bit.

Just ill-luck?

Well, I thought so. At first. But Mr Marchant, he’s a good man to work for. He’s easily irritated and can shout a bit, but there’s no real vice in him. Everyone respects and admires him. He’s stood up for me. But he’s got it into his head all these little upsets aren’t just coincidence, they’re deliberate. He’s so edgy about it, he’s made me a bit nervous. I’m half-inclined to believe him.

In what way? Is it malicious, against you?

Mr Marchant is convinced of it. Not exactly against me personally. I’m just getting in the firing line. He thinks it’s against him, someone trying to ruin him.

Any idea who or why?

He seems to be convinced he knows who’s responsible, but I’m not getting caught up in it. He’s my boss and I can’t say anything to jeopardise my job. All I can say is, he puts up a good case, until I really think about it, and then I have my doubts. And as to why? That’s beyond me, just a bit of dirty family laundry doesn’t really seem to warrant the accusations. But then again, you know, these family feuds… they can get out of hand.

You sound genuinely worried?

I am. I trust Mr Marchant and his son is a good kid, I’d like to trust him. But they’re both making me nervous and I’m making mistakes. Well, scared of making mistakes. The last thing you want to be, going out for a big race, is nervous.

This was my big break, my dream job. Every jockey’s dream job. I’m really scared I’m gonna blow it. Or someone’s gonna blow it for me. Bad luck? Paranoia? Or some jealous bastard genuinely out to get me? Your guess is as good as mine. Yeah, I’m worried, alright.

Any good horses to keep your spirits up?

At Sainte Bastien? They’re all superstars! I’m looking forward to winning my first Classic on Maple Leaf next month and maybe even The Derby. But my biggest concern right now is just keeping the ride on him. Maybe Mr Marchant’s right and someone else is looking forward to riding him.

This new job should be a blessing, but I’m getting more and more worried it’s more of a curse.

Find out more about Kym and his increasing anxiety in Sainte Bastien Sainte Bastien