The mother of jockey Tom Bellamy has made a public appeal for her son to find a girlfriend, following his surprise 40/1 victory in the opening race of day three at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. Bellamy was riding White Noise in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and the horse shocked punters by emerging victorious, beating competition from the likes of 1/1 favourite Bambino Fever to win at 40/1.
This marked Bellamy’s inaugural Cheltenham triumph, and he was lost for words when speaking post-race. “I’ve waited my whole life for this day,” he told ITV immediately after guiding White Noise across the finish line. “I genuinely am speechless, I cannot believe it. Delighted for the team at home who’ve helped my whole career.”
His mum, Sue Bellamy, then spoke to ITV and shared her reaction, saying: “It’s what dreams are made of! It’s amazing, a big price, great for the yard, the lads, the lasses and the mother who has to put up with him on the way home because it has gone badly.”
When asked what Tom could achieve going forward, Sue then gave a rather different answer and suggested he needs a girlfriend, replying: “A girlfriend! Anyone out there… he’s a nice lad!”
Place de la Nation (28/1) and Oldschool Outlaw (15/2) were the nearest competitors to White Noise in the Mares, but it was Bellamy’s 40/1 horse who crossed the finish line first to secure a significant victory.
In the second race – the Jack Richards Handicap Chase – another major winner emerged as Meetmebythesea, a 10/1 backed horse, triumphed for Ben Jones and Ben Pauling.
Victorious jockey Ben Jones told Racing TV: “It’s just a dream come true. I grew up watching great jockeys in these silks. Riding a winner for JP at the festival, it doesn’t get much better.”