X FACTOR STAR JJ HAMBLETT MAKES SURPRISE RETURN TO HORSE RACING IN FULL-CIRCLE MOMENT
Former X Factor contestant and Union J star JJ Hamblett is returning to the racecourse in what he describes as a remarkable full-circle moment.
The 38-year-old, who grew up in Newmarket, Suffolk, developed a passion for horse racing long before finding fame as a singer. Following in the footsteps of his father, who was also a jockey, Hamblett began riding racehorses at just 14.
He went on to earn his jockey licence at 16, making his first competitive appearance at Doncaster Racecourse in 2005.
Now, nearly two decades later, Hamblett is preparing to return to Doncaster on September 11 to compete in the Leger Legends race.
“It’s like I’ve done this huge 360 and gone back to where I started, which is going to be very unusual next week,” he said.
“I’ve loved being back in horse racing and I’ve kind of got that buzz back again.”
Hamblett recalled spending much of his childhood around horses alongside his brother.
“Whenever we weren’t at school, we would kind of always want to be riding horses,” he said.
After years in the spotlight with Union J, Hamblett now appears ready to reconnect with the passion that first captured his heart—horse racing.