We’re well used to amateur riders featuring in top races over the Jumps, but even then, success at the highest level in Grade 1s is few and far between.

Which makes the achievement of German amateur Nina Baltromei even more remarkable, in winning the Deutsches Derby in Hamburg on Sunday on Hockkonig. Nor was this just an on-the-bridle-with-a-bit-up-her-sleeve type of victory. Quite the reverse. Hockkonig came from off the pace to win in the final stride, denying the Karl-Burke-trained Convergent by a short head in the process for up-and-coming trainer Yasmin Almenradar.

Hardly surprisingly, social channels are alive with the achievement in a genre of the sport where amateurs rarely get a look-in at the highest level. What other Group 1 can you even remember that has included an amateur in the rider listings in recent memory?

Even over the obstacles, Grade 1 success for amateurs is pretty rare. Here are a few who made it to this select elite.

Sam Waley-Cohen

Impeccably mounted on a string of well-bred horses in his father’s ownership, Waley-Cohen Jnr proved himself more than capable in the top rank. Unlike many an amateur using that status to graduate to the professional ranks, Waley-Cohen has a highly successful business of his own, with no need to risk life and limb as a professional.

He includes no less than 4 Grade 1s in his career summary, including the Feltham and King George VI Chase in consecutive seasons on Long Run, a season which saw the same partnership win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and a follow up victory in the King George on the same horse again in December 2012.

If you thought this couldn’t get any better, Noble Yeats capped it all by winning the world’s most famous steeplechase for the partnership in 2022 – a mere Grade 3 and one of four successes over Aintree’s unique obstacles. Not entirely surprisingly, Waley-Cohen Jnr decided nothing could top the National success, and promptly retired.

Marcus Armytage

Over 10 years in the late eighties to late nineties, Mr M Armytage was a regular listing in all manner of races over fences and hurdles, not least for mother and father trainers Roddy and Sue. Marcus, now racing correspondent for the Daily Telegraph, reached a highpoint in winning the 1990 Grand National, not strictly a Grade 1, on the front-running Mr Frisk, for Kim Bailey, in a record time that still stands today.

Jim Wilson

Much has been written these past few weeks about the enterprising, and often hilarious life enjoyed by Yorkshire trainer Peter Easterby, who enjoyed success with over 1,000 winners on the flat and over Jumps in a career spanning 50+ years.

Easterby enjoyed great success with the likes of Champion Hurdlers Night Nurse and Sea Pigeon, and Gold Cup winners Little Owl and Alverton. The former was ridden by none other than the late Jim Wilson, riding as an amateur in the Gold Cup of 1981, a race in which Little Owl beat the better-fancied Night Nurse and Silver Buck. Wilson won a remarkable 7 Festival races during a distinguished amateur career.

Jim’s training career never hit the same heights as his riding, but he was a regular fixture around Cheltenham until his death from cancer in 2022, and in retirement, he stewarded around the Point-to-Point circuit, mentoring young riders on the West Mercian circuit.

You’ll note there is no flat rider in these examples, testament to just how remarkable Baltromei’s weekend achievement has been. May the floodgates of amateur excellence be truly opened!