Bluestocking's groom watched £4m victory from pub because he had no travel visa

Eric Ngwane, a former jockey from South Africa, rides the brilliant filly in all her work but did not have the correct document to travel with her to Paris-Longchamp

The groom and regular work rider of Bluestocking had to watch the £4million Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe from the pub because he did not have the correct visa.

Eric Ngwane, a former champion apprentice from South Africa, has looked after and ridden the brilliant mare off the track since she arrived at trainer Ralph Beckett’s Hampshire stables.

He has travelled with her for her races in Britain but has had to miss out when she has left the country.

Ngwane couldn’t go with her to France when she won the Prix Vermeille in September and had to miss out when connections paid £100,000 to run her in Europe’s richest horse race at Paris-Longchamp on Sunday.

“I wasn’t able to be there because I am on a skilled visa for the UK only and I need another visa to enter France,” said the 31-year-old. “Because she was supplemented late we couldn’t get a visa in time for me to go with her. Alexis [de Gouveia] went with her instead.”

He went on: “I managed to get that feeling out of my head that I couldn’t be there and I just had to support the team. A few of us from the yard went to the pub and we watched it there. I was so nervous before the race,”

Bluestocking, who was ridden by Rossa Ryan, enjoyed a perfect trip, tracking the pace set by Ryan Moore on Los Angeles to take up the running with two furlongs to run and holding to win by a length and a quarter.

“I knew she would win when she jumped and sat second,” Ngwane said. “She was comfortable and was able to see out the trip without experiencing any interference. It was a dream race.

“When she hit the front I went mad. I was so crazy. It was unreal how easy it was for her to win it. I have always believed in her. To be fair when it hadn’t rained I thought she could run at least third but once it did rain I thought it was hers to lose.”

Ngwane came to Britain three years ago after starting his career in South Africa where he was twice champion apprentice in Durban.

“I’ve ridden about 125 winners in South Africa, Mauritius and Kenya,” he said. “When I get my British citizenship here one day I hope I will be able to ride as a jockey again.

“I came over for the job at Mr Beckett’s. I’d never looked after horses before but I found Bluestocking.

“It’s a great result for the whole team. She never looked like an Arc winner when she came in or even last year, but this year she has just grown and has proved to us that she is an amazing horse.”