By George Abbott

Aug 12 - (The Insurer) - Markel underwriter Sophie Forsyth rode to victory in July's Magnolia Cup – an all-female charity race at Goodwood Racecourse supporting The King's Trust International's Project Lehar, which funds education for young women in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, India.

Speaking to The Insurer TV, Forsyth explained that she secured the ride after Markel Insurance CEO Simon Wilson approached Howden Group CEO David Howden.

“There was a conversation at some point between our CEOs to say, 'Oh, David, do you have a horse?' He didn't have the right horse, but he, or someone within the company, made the connection with Charlie Treacher, who is in the surety team at Howden. And his dad owns lots of racehorses, and they had the absolute perfect horse,” Forsyth said.

TRAINING

Forsyth trained twice a week for the race. This involved leaving her home in Tooting, London, at 5:30 a.m. on Fridays to ride at Epsom before returning to her underwriting role for 9:30 a.m. In the lead-up to the race, she spent two weeks in the Herefordshire market town of Ledbury for morning sessions involving rides on three different horses. Forsyth highlighted the support she received from Markel, which arranged an Airbnb to support her schedule.

Forsyth added that her Magnolia Cup commitment has served to sharpen her professional skills.

“I had to become very focused on what my priorities were; what was in the emails and what needs responses urgently. I think I’ve become much more efficient this year,” she said.

Forsyth has enjoyed the outpouring of encouragement from colleagues and across the market.

“It’s been very exciting, and everyone’s been really excited for me, which has been brilliant. We had so many brokers down there to watch it, which was amazing. I did have three jobs this year: event organiser, jockey and underwriter – so it’s been very busy,” said Forsyth.