Close of play on Day 7 of the 2024 Mongol Derby, and the competitive tension has ratcheted up a notch. All eyes are fixed on the two formidable horsewomen loose between HS25 and HS26, each camping out with exceptional host families for what will potentially – touch wood, barring any Derby disasters tomorrow – be their final night out on the steppe. Sam Jones (SJO) has put in an incredible day’s riding to claw back Missy Morgan’s (MMO) 1.5 horse station advantage from a couple of days ago. MMO rode out of HS25 just an hour and a bit ahead of her, normally only about 10km difference in Derby terms. And, to make things even more interesting, they appear to have consulted contrasting maps, each disappearing off down different river valleys. Will navigational nous prove the deciding factor in the final dash for finish camp? Only time will tell.

All of our riders and crew were relieved to wake to a cooler, blustery day out on the steppe this morning. Our fantastic herders at HS23 were up at the crack of dawn to ensure all their horses were watered ready for the leaders, and a beady eve was kept on the horizon at all times for the slightest hint of action. As the Derby field spreads out, we realised we could do with an extra medic, so hired a new recruit to pick up the slack.

Everyone has taken full advantage of the fresh conditions to push on and cover excellent ground. Ross Colbert (RCO) has particularly impressed all our crew and local herders today, having ridden a marathon 4 horse stations completely on his own to reach HS20. Despite feeling slightly “wiped out” after his efforts, he’s had some great horses including a rather dashing chestnut stallion. Displaying serious grit and endurance, he’s reasoning that, “Somebody has to be last, and I’m determined to be that guy.” It’s a race against time now, but with only 9 stations to go to reach the finish line we’re certain he can make it in the three full days of riding left to go.  Plus, if you do take that spot, you’re in for a special prize. Mongolian culture affords extra respect and affection for the last horse to cross a finish line in a race, and reserves special gifts for them. This is specially intended to recognise the hard work and dedication that goes into preparation for any race, especially for those who never gave up on crossing the line. We can’t think of a better candidate for that award this year. Come on RCO, we’re all cheering you on.

Up at the sharp end of the race, and MMO has ridden another highly polished Derby day. She’s scooted straight through 3 horse stations to camp out tonight beyond HS25, but her pace has slowed slightly from her blistering rides over the last couple of days. The crew sent to check on her camping spot for the evening found her hosted by a family with serious racing credentials, their ger practically sagging under the weight of all their naadam medals. MMO had a heart to heart with her host Amarsanaa, clearly a pretty clued up chap: what advice would he give her on what may be her last day of racing tomorrow? His reply: “Listen to the horse. Feel the horse. He will let you know the best way to race this leg.” Wise words. If we’d picked the handsome fellow she’s riding for this leg, we’d be taking that advice pretty happily.

But it’s by no means MMO’s race to lose. SJO, already a Derby champion from back in 2014, is literally breathing down her neck. She’s covered more ground than MMO today, charging up the course from her campsite outside HS21 this morning to her home for the evening beyond HS25. That’s an astonishing 5 horse stations cleared today, and she’s still smiling. Arriving into HS25 and seeing the all important sign-in sheet which told her that MMO had only recently left, she realised she was within touching distance. Time was of the essence. SJO sprinted to the catering ger and dashed back out to draw her horse, saddling up and flying out in record timing. Make no mistake, this is a woman on a mission, driven on by the prospect of becoming the first ever double Derby winner (and the shower and cold beer at finish camp, no doubt). Not that she’s exactly slumming it tonight. She’s also landed a rather deluxe camping spot, sleeping in one generous family’s ger underneath their shamanic drum and costume. Could such close contact with the spiritual heart of Mongolia give her the blessing she needs to fly across the line in first place tomorrow?

Maybe so, but another, more practical matter may settle things. SJO rocketed out of HS25 in a completely different direction to MMO. Who’s taken the correct navigational gamble, and will it prove decisive? This one could very well go right down to the wire. Dot watchers, prepare to glue yourselves to the live tracker map tomorrow.

But it didn’t all go SJO’s way today. She was sadly separated from her faithful companion Josh Edwards (JED) back at HS24, where he has elected to spend the night before mounting up to continue his campaign across the steppe tomorrow. No penalties to speak of, he’d just reached his limit for today. And no wonder: even after calling it quits at HS24, he’d already ridden 4 horse stations. He may have lost SJO, but he’s gained two wonderful new ger mates this evening. Josh Dales (JDA) and Grace Neuhaus (GNE) have formed a formidable alliance over the last couple of days, and have romped up the course to catch up with JED. All three are now tying for 3rd place. Could any of them close the deal tomorrow and edge over the line? It’s a big ask, but that extra hour of racing hours seems to be really helping everyone cover some serious ground. After all, that last leg from HS28 to the finish line is shorter than average by quite a bit, so really they’d only have to stretch to 4 and and a slither stations tomorrow to make it home. We’ll be keeping a close eye on them tomorrow, but if they ride like they have been today we’d say they’re in with a decent shot.

Almira Zakiyeva (AZA) meanwhile still lies well within reach of the riders ahead of her, camping out tonight roughly halfway between HS23 and HS24. She faced a bit disappointment today in the form of her first vet penalty of the Derby, which saw her detained for 2 hours at HS22. But she was already riding such a cracking race she’s only slipped a couple of places back, and could easily regain her position on JED, JDA and GNE tomorrow if she gets the right horses for the job.

Also continuing their impressive spin round the course are Margaret Holloway (MGO), Gianna Aycock (GAK) and Colby Coltrain (CCO) who have ridden a mercifully unremarkable day to keep chugging along and make it to HS23 for the night. GAK is still modelling her fetching bridal veil, while her strategy of asking resident children to draw her horses seems to be bringing her much Derby fortune. Today’s lucky little one at HS22 managed to draw his very own horse for her, much to everyone’s delight watching on. He was pleased as punch, and proudly helped her tack up before she blasted out to continue up the course. CCO, ever the gentleman, is now reliably lugging his saddle into horse stations, lessening the load as much as he can for his trusty steeds. We’re very pleased to see MGO smiling again, now recovered from her traumatic Vet Card incident yesterday and enjoying the ride with her new found teammates. As always with the Derby, you’re only ever one calamity away from a new adventure.

Just when you might be thinking today was a bit of a smooth one for everybody, Augustus Read (ARE) enters the fray to keep things interesting. We can’t remember the last day this guy didn’t face at least one Derby disaster. Is he cursed, or just a magnet for mayhem? The crew at HS19 breathed a collective sigh of relief this morning when he cantered out of the station on what looked like a reliable mount. Sitting down to breakfast in peace, they were rudely interrupted by ARE striding straight back in, once again without horse or gear. Today’s drama involved a loose saddle, which had slipped shortly outside of the station and led to ARE’s unplanned dismount. Videographer Rich took pity and scooped ARE up in his car to give him a lift back to HS19, where ARE patiently waited for the usual herder assistance to locate and return his gear. Undaunted and impossibly cheery as usual, he mounted back up after making some emergency saddle repairs, and off he went on his merry way. We’re pretty sure that without his unfortunate daily dose of drama, he’d probably be at finish camp by now.

Unfortunately for riding buddy Lola Day (LRD) this morning, ARE’s rotten luck seemed to have rubbed off on her. Having tacked up and mounted without any hint of upset, one stride into canter her horse pulled a fast one and bronced a surprised LRD straight off. A little bruised but brave enough to fight on, she redrew and stormed straight back out after ARE. Her prayers for a calm ride had been answered in her second pick, so much so that ARE caught back up with her despite his own delayed departure. But no sooner was ARE back in sight, than LRD suffered another mishap. Her saddle also slipped, and she was again dislodged from her horse. Neither were harmed, and the pair came into HS20 to reunite and ride on for the rest of the day. Quite frankly, we’d have ditched ARE by now on suspicion of a contagious curse, but LRD seems to be a very forgiving sort. The pair join forces with CCO, GAK and MGO tonight at HS23, ready for whatever chaos tomorrow may throw at them.

ARE wasn’t the only Read brother dealing with some serious setbacks out on the steppe today. Youngest brother Bert Read (BRE) camped out himself last night, and luckily noticed his horse had already broken his hobbles before he went to bed. The crew duly rode to the rescue, delivering him a new pair. But his steed’s escape attempts would not be thwarted so quickly. Wriggling out of the new set with ease, he did a runner and was MIA by the morning. BRE flagged down a passing herder, who zoomed to the rescue on his motorbike to help BRE recapture houdini. His knight in shining armour even fed him breakfast in the form of airag, which seems to have fuelled him well for the day: BRE has rocketed to HS22 for the evening, maintaining just a single horse station between himself and ARE up ahead. Could we see a Read brother reunion in time to cross the finish line together?

It’s certainly not beyond the realms of possibility. Charles Read (CRE) could even shoot up the field to make it 3 of 3, camped just over 10km behind BRE tonight. He’s pitched up for the evening alongside Grey Godsal (GGO) and the Antipodean contingent of Emma Watson (EWA), Brydie Black (BBL) and Marieke Schnebeli (MSC), all riding strongly and looking cheery out in the field today. GGO had been telling us about his cyclical luck: one day great, the next not so hot. Today seems to have been one of the good days. He pulled purportedly the fastest horse of the line at HS19, and has ridden a corker today to conquer four horse stations. CRE and GGO were particularly chuffed with the excellent catering on offer at HS19, a welcome reward after their evening out under the stars last night.

But CRE must surely be feeling the loss of Annabelle Heffron (AHE), his loyal longtime riding companion for several days now. There seems to have been a parting of the ways in the group somewhere since HS19, with AHE and Sophie de Rouet (SDR) peeling off to set up their own camp further behind the others this evening. The ladies will surely be riding like the clappers tomorrow to reel the rest of their group back in.

Between the girls and the rest of the gang we find firm friends Yolande Steyn (YST) and Sarah Delia (SDE) this evening, flying the flag for Adventure Category and missing out on absolutely no adventures. Just behind them at HS21, most of the rest of the bloodwagon are parked up for the evening, many looking forward to hitting the steppe again tomorrow. Also bedding down there for the evening are the main pack of riders still racing in the competitive class for an official placing at the finish line. All are in good spirits, making the most of every moment on the steppe.

Claire (CMO) and Hannah Morgan (HMO) are joined by Shelby Van Weelden (SVW) tonight in perhaps the dreamiest campsite of the day, right beside a fairytale creek perfect for watering horses. It even comes with a handy solid fence, perfect for an overnight hitching post. SVW is in fine fettle despite having taken a tumble today, and was delighted to join up with HMO and CMO shortly after.

As we reflect on the wonderful rides of Day 7, our attention turns to Day 8. Will we see a winner be crowned, or will any manner of Derby chaos reign to upset the leaderboard? Keep an eye on your tracker maps, folks. This is going to be a good one.

Photo credits: Kathy Gabriel, Tulgaa Skizz, Tim Lee, James Tavener, Louise Crosbie

Day 7 Close of Play

Between HS25 – HS26: MMO, SJO

HS24: GNE, JDA, JED

Between HS23 – HS24: AZA

HS23: ARE, CCO, GAK, LRD, MGO

HS22: BRE

Between HS21 – HS22: AHE, BBL, CRE, EWA, GGO, MSC, SDR (Adv Cat: SDE, YST)

HS21: ACE, BCR, EGI, GKO, KDU, KWE, MHA, TGI (Adv Cat: CAS, CLE, FBE, KSI, PDA, YJI)

Between HS20 – HS21:  CMO, HMO (Adv Cat: SVW)

HS20: RCO

Adventure Category: BBO, CAS, CLE, FBE, KSI, MER, PDA, SDE, SVW, YJI, YST

Retired: CWI

Penalties

Vet penalties: AZA (2 hrs)

Late riding: RCO (65 mins)