Former Town midfielder Jay Tabb is set to make his debut as a jockey in a charity race at Wincanton on Sunday.

Tabb, 37, has been working for National Hunt trainer Philip Hobbs at his yard at Minehead in Somerset since 2019 having developed an interest in horse racing during his time as a player.

Now, the former Republic of Ireland U21 international is set to take part in Sunday’s Fitzdares Racing Welfare Charity Flat Race.

Previously ex-England striker Michael Owen finished second in the event and Tabb, who also played for Brentford, Crawley (loan), Coventry and Reading, feels he will have to do well to match that performance.

“It'd be a good achievement,” he told the Racing Post. “There's 12 of us riding with different levels of ability, as I think some have ridden in point-to-points so they'll have a bit more experience than me.

“I'm not expecting to win but I want to go out and enjoy it and hopefully not show myself up.

“Riding on a horse on a racecourse in the racing silks is a real privilege and I'm really lucky and grateful I get to do it. Horses are so unpredictable, I'll be happy if we get to the start and can jump off nicely.”

Tabb says he’s having to abandon his pre-match preparations from his footballing days.

“I used to have a set routine from Friday night before every game,” he recalled. “I'd always have the same dinner of chicken, pasta and vegetables, and the morning before the match porridge with blueberries and honey. I'd always stick to the same routine. But before Sunday I have to watch what I eat, which is different.

“I've been speaking to a few of the lads and I'm going to try and ride out in the racing breeches and saddle as they say it'll feel a bit different.

“Closer to the time, when I find out who I'm riding, I'll speak to the ones who have ridden them before. I feel fit enough and ready to go.”

Tabb, who made 61 starts and 24 sub appearances for the Blues, scoring five times, between March 2013 and May 2016, has currently raised more than £1,000 for Racing Welfare via his JustGiving page.

Photo: Action Images

Nobbysnuts added 11:39 - Oct 20 Come on please....this isn't a news worthy story....good god whatever next.
-11

ArnieM added 11:52 - Oct 20 Go Tabby …. An amazing fella , professional footballer, rugby player and horse rider .
6

Cadiar added 12:13 - Oct 20 More like a donkey IMO
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Eddie1985 added 12:26 - Oct 20 Tabby done great
5

TractorCam added 12:35 - Oct 20 Couple of ridiculous comments here, but i'm not surprised. Top pro when he was here, good luck Tabby!
5

keighleyblue added 12:51 - Oct 20 Cadiar, good job your IMO means nowt then innit. Good luck Tabby
4

SchancheITFC added 13:29 - Oct 20 Tabby was different gravy
0

1RWR added 14:06 - Oct 20 Said it before & I'll say it again……if you can't say anything nice about someone then please don't say anything. Jay Tab was a pretty decent player in his day, never set the world alight but did ok. Have some respect. Go Jay, enjoy your ride chap!
9

spanishblue added 14:28 - Oct 20 I'm led to believe that Jay done very well for himself thankyou I fit one wish him well, whilst not a world beater he sure was a lot better than most if us
5

itfchorry added 15:33 - Oct 20 A pretty decent golfer as well - All the best
0

JewellintheTown added 16:00 - Oct 20 Tabby's about the right size for a jockey! Perfect match! Could have lent him Bluey and Crazee! Good player, good person, good attitude, good ambassador for our club and wish him all the best and safe riding.
2

cat added 16:34 - Oct 20 One step up from riding a Dinosaur lol
1

AlanG296 added 17:02 - Oct 20 Nobbysnuts, nobody made you open the story. That's what the headline is there for. So you can decide whether to open it or not.
4

ronnyd added 19:01 - Oct 20 Can't understand why people state that they aren't interested in a particular topic, then go banging on about it. If you aren't interested, just don't post. Simple really.
2

Linkboy13 added 11:19 - Oct 21 Always interested in what ex players are doing in their spare time. Tabby was an astute signing at the time and had two very good seasons and linked up well with Daryl Murphy. I distinctly remember a brilliant near post header against Middlesborough. Sadly people only remember his last season which was blighted by injury problems.
2

algarvefan added 12:13 - Oct 21 Let's keep up the positivity on this page, there are obvious trolls and others who would argue about anything to get a response. Well done Tabby realising a dream and supporting charity at the same time.
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