Following in the footsteps of the Twiston-Davies brothers, Gloucestershire has another Shetland Grand National competitor tipped for the top.
Nine-year-old Lucas Murphy, whose father Timmy is one of an elite group of jockeys to have ridden more than 1,000 winners over jumps, has just started competing in the discipline this year.
He impressed many onlookers at Gatcombe earlier this month including trainer Richard Phillips, who wrote on his blog: "One of the highlights of a very enjoyable afternoon was the Shetland Pony Grand National. I have met many a fine jockey in my time and it looks as though Lucas Murphy, son of Timmy – could be a future champion.
"He certainly doesn’t lack confidence."
Lucas raced around the circuit's twists and turns in the colours of the late David Johnson, which his father wore to victory in the 2008 Grand National on Comply Or Die.
Murphy senior, who retired in May, has continued riding out for Richard Hannon as well as resting and recuperating racehorses.
He says he may start to do some pre-training when Lucas graduates to pony racing and needs to prepare his mounts.
"I'm very proud of him. The more he's doing the hungrier he's getting," said the former jockey.
"He's getting better all the time. At the moment he does want to be a jockey.
"It's nice to see him wearing the Johnson colours and it's very kind of the family to give us the permission to use them."
Sam Twiston-Davies raced at Olympia in 2000, where the Shetland Grand National final is held for 11 jockeys and ponies after qualifying in the season's races.
In 2010, the Naunton sportsman took his first ride in the National itself at Aintree, where he finished fifth on Hello Bud.
Jim Crowley is another Shetland National product as is Tom Garner, son of Shetland Pony Grand National director Sebastien Garner.
"All the children thoroughly enjoy it," he said.
Gloucestershire's next Shetland Grand National racers waiting in the wings
Martin Keighley's sons Harry and Freddie are gearing up to compete in the Shetland Grand National next season.
Ten-year-old Freddie has been enjoying his pony racing and triumphed on Boston Bell Boy at Haydock a few months ago.
He has just been asked to ride his pony at Plumpton in October in a one-furlong dash, while his brother, who gave up riding for 18 months, is soon to join him in the saddle.
"We've got Freddie and Harry Shetlands to train up for next season as they love the camaraderie with the other competitors - it's such a fun environment and so good for them," said their mum Belinda.
"Harry has decided that he will be old enough as he will have just turned eight. We collected his new pony from Wales earlier this week.
"Martin's getting really into it and wishes we could have done it when we were younger."
Freddie will race in the Martin Keighley Racing Club colours while Harry will have to choose some new ones as his favourite Trevor Hemmings' ones are already being worn by Leighton Aspell's daughter.
"Some come along and think it's going to be easy but it's not- when they are racing they have to find their own space, position themselves well and see a stride over the jumps.
"It also helps if they get a good start.
"The children of Ryan Moore, Leighton Aspell and Jim Crowley are among those taking part at the moment. Lucas is new this year so he's younger than a lot of the others.
"He's small as well and rides different ponies which is really good, he can turn his hand to anything.
"I think he will go on to be a professional jockey."
The average height of a Shetland is 11 hands (3.6ft), while a racehorse is 16.1 hands (5.2ft).
Around 30 children are currently competing in the National series, including Lucy Aspell. Like Lucas, she also rides in National-winning colours, those of leading owner Trevor Hemmings.
Races take place all over the country for children aged eight to 14 who have successfully completed a training day.
Find out more information here.
