Freddie Mitchell finally enjoyed his long-awaited breakthrough at Epsom Downs on Sunday, September 27, partnering Zarakerjack to victory in the Jump Jockeys Derby Handicap during the Season Finale meeting. The success carried special significance for the 31-year-old rider, who grew up close to the Surrey track and had spent much of his early riding career around the famous course.
Zarakerjack, trained by Gary and Josh Moore, travelled prominently throughout the mile-and-a-half contest before Mitchell made his move for home. Oneforthegutter launched a late challenge inside the final furlong, but Zarakerjack continued strongly and held on to win by a length and a quarter.
The result marked a memorable milestone for Mitchell, who had been closely connected with Epsom Downs from a young age. He had previously recalled riding his Shetland pony around the Epsom Downs grounds as a youngster and had also finished second in the Amateur Derby at the track when he was 16.
Mitchell’s latest success therefore represented a significant return to the winner’s enclosure at a course that had featured prominently in his early riding experiences. The victory also provided a notable start to his association with the new Jump season.
Before the race, the Moores had given Mitchell straightforward instructions, and the rider felt that Zarakerjack’s recent preparation had helped him arrive at Epsom in good condition. The horse had finished a preparatory run at Newbury 13 days earlier before returning to the track for Sunday’s handicap.
Zarakerjack travelled well for much of the race and responded when Mitchell asked him to take the lead. The rider also felt that the horse’s previous experience over hurdles had helped strengthen him for the demanding finish at Epsom Downs.
Mitchell had also set himself the target of riding out his claim during the 2026/27 Jump season. He had been working with Gary and Josh Moore while also spending one day each week with young trainer Max Comley.
Among the horses Mitchell had identified for the campaign were Blow Your Wad, Burds Of A Feather and Just Her Type. He had already partnered Blow Your Wad at the Cheltenham Festival and was hoping to secure further opportunities during the new Jump season.
Epsom Downs also produced notable wins
The Freddie Mitchell Epsom Downs success was one of several notable results during the Season Finale meeting, with William Haggas and Cieren Fallon enjoying a double through Quite Cheeky and Matins.
Quite Cheeky maintained his unbeaten record when winning the EBF Conditions Stakes. The son of Teofilo arrived at Epsom after a seven-furlong novice victory at the same course 17 days earlier and stepped up to an extended mile for his latest assignment.
Racing prominently, Quite Cheeky moved past early leader Sword Salute inside the final two furlongs. Fallon kept the colt going in the closing stages, and Quite Cheeky went on to win by a length and three quarters.
The victory also earned Quite Cheeky a free initial entry for next year’s Derby. Andrew Tinkler, representing the Haggas yard, said the colt had handled the track and conditions well while showing encouraging progress over the longer distance.
Haggas and Fallon completed their double when Matins landed the 10-furlong handicap. The Frankel gelding had already scored at Salisbury before following up in a match race at Yarmouth, and he continued his winning sequence at Epsom with a five-and-a-half-length success.
Matins’ performance also led connections to reconsider plans for a possible appearance in the Horses In Training Sale. Cheveley Park Stud racing manager Chris Richardson said the gelding had shown considerable maturity and had handled the Epsom track well.
Another notable winner was Rogue Imperial, who followed his previous Brighton success with victory in the nursery handicap over seven furlongs. Trained by Archie Watson and ridden by Rossa Ryan, the colt adopted front-running tactics and remained in front despite a late challenge from The Ginger Kid.
Rogue Imperial eventually secured the contest by three quarters of a length, adding another success to a productive campaign for The Rogues Gallery syndicate. Their season had already featured strong performances from Rogue Impact, Rogue Passion and Kirchner.
Ryan later completed another notable result on the card when partnering Swiped for trainer Ralph Beckett. The runner won the final handicap by two and a quarter lengths to round off the meeting’s main results.
Freddie Mitchell’s breakthrough victory aboard Zarakerjack provided the headline moment at Epsom Downs on September 27. His personal connection with the Surrey track added significance to the success, while Quite Cheeky, Matins, Rogue Imperial and Swiped also recorded notable victories during the Season Finale meeting.
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