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just wondering if we should start a old jockeys thread , having given us much pleasure over the years , surely they deserve some praise ....i'm sure the likes of ged, onlooker etc etc..will help with insights into their winners from yesteryear ....what i hope will happen is , everyday there is a jockeys birthday in the racing post from the 60s 70s 80s , we could review their past success ,o.k. todays birthday boy is JOHN CURANT ....do we have a starter for ten....
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Thanks Blackbarn for covering the bases. 100% right of course with all five.
The blonde is Jaimee Rogers the Australian sports presenter known as the TAB girl. Ron was getting inducted into Australia's Hall Of Fame. Here he is as we know him.
The blonde is Jaimee Rogers the Australian sports presenter known as the TAB girl. Ron was getting inducted into Australia's Hall Of Fame. Here he is as we know him.
He was easy to follow during a race workrider with his famous bobbing head, lol.
ttt again, brilliant read, done half over last two and half hours, finish rest tomorrow.
Edgar Britt,Scobie Brealey,George Moore, Ron Hutchinson,Australians do well when they come over here.
Bill "Weary Willie" Williamson was Australian!! - Hutchinson said Breasley and Williamson were the best two (Australian?) jockeys he ever saw. Lester Piggott had a firm view on that subject!
Wasn't Geoff Baxter the one who married Willie Carsons mum Violet ?
Have you read thru this Foxy?, got from page 31 to read tonight, different class to the dross on TV at present, I wonder how many of the contributors are still with us?
Not yet onthejim but I will do.
Hope you and the family are keeping well.
Hope you and the family are keeping well.
Good grief frankel hadn’t even ran at York when this thread started,at least when I’ve finished reading it the Coronavirus will be over.
I found it again by accident whilst searching for something else, thought it just had to be bumped up to current page.
Does anybody remember Edward Hyde? I think he won **** of the North sixteen times.
Yes - Eddie Hide always considered to be the Top Northern Jockey - although some Joe Sime supporters would put up a case for him.
Hide's brother William trained the Lincoln winner Ben Novus.
Hide's brother William trained the Lincoln winner Ben Novus.
Eddie won the Derby of course on Morston for the Budgetts.
Back in 1967 I took a week off work with my gf and went to Epsom for the 4 days, I had a great week, backed Royal Palace and Charlottown and a couple of others, but I missed the Oaks winner, Pia, ridden by EDDIE HIDE, great jockey.
Paddy Broderick was a good jockey - gave up the inside to nobody.
Eddie Hide was **** of the north for donkey's ages. I seem to remember he held the distinction of being jocked off a Derby fav. by Piggott. Could be wrong. John Gorton. My first ever classic winning jockey. South African? Sleeping Partner, Doug Smith, Oaks, late 60's?
Great to see this old thread making it back on here, so many wonderful memories of some great jockeys...
Sleeping Partner was indeed trained by Doug Smith and Gorton was South African. Actually, it was Sleeping Partner`s owner Lord Rosebery who convinced John Gorton to come to the UK and ride as his retained jockey.
Here is the race Honcho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrV9sIsCsaU
He later became 1st jockey for Bruce Hobbs and they struck up a wonderful partnership.
Here is the race Honcho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrV9sIsCsaU
He later became 1st jockey for Bruce Hobbs and they struck up a wonderful partnership.
Regards Morston, Eddie Hide was very fortunate to ride him. Budgett`s stable jockey Frankie Durr had rode Mon Fils to win the Guineas for Richard Hannon and Mon Fils was fav or 2nd fav for the Derby and he rode that one in the Derby. Initially Durr had opted to ride Morston but changed his mind on the morning of the race and Eddie Hide got the mount.
Good man themightymac, always insightful and helpful...
onlooker
" Yes - Eddie Hide always considered to be the Top Northern Jockey - although some Joe Sime supporters would put up a case for him."
Billy Nevett (probably had mentions on this thread before) was better than both of then though a bit earlier.
My Granny used to often stay at the Stair Arms Hotel outside Edinburgh where Nevett stayed if riding in Scotland. She once asked Margaret the waitress if he had given her any tips. Yes, she replied but he's no good. He told me to do all of his mounts last Monday and only five of them won.
" Yes - Eddie Hide always considered to be the Top Northern Jockey - although some Joe Sime supporters would put up a case for him."
Billy Nevett (probably had mentions on this thread before) was better than both of then though a bit earlier.
My Granny used to often stay at the Stair Arms Hotel outside Edinburgh where Nevett stayed if riding in Scotland. She once asked Margaret the waitress if he had given her any tips. Yes, she replied but he's no good. He told me to do all of his mounts last Monday and only five of them won.
Terry Lucas - apparently very quick to work how good a horse was.
From my early days at the track,George McGrath,Ray Carroll,Oliver Gray,Paddy Sullivan,Johnny Roe,John Corr,Paul Jarman.RF (Buster) Parnell amongst a lot of others...
George McGrath and Sweet Mimosa , Ray, father of Gary his Mother Sally was part of the I.N.S. Johnny Roe and Mick Connolly always got the flat off to a great start on St Patricks day. Buster was English, I brought a Stallion to cover a mare for him one day , not as much as a fiver did he drop me...
Nick Bampton had a great relationship with Stepherion. Used to ride for the 'sprint king' Jack Holt.
I always wonder what happened to Compton Rodriguez who made the angry ant look like the hulk. They used to carry his saddle for him when laden with lead to make up the official weight. Rode for Bruce Hobbs and he rode the huge grey Scallywag one day, which was arguably the biggest horse in training. He was a very good light weight but disappeared off the radar.
Another great apprentice who seemed to disappear was Robert Sidebottom, who was attached to Denys Smith stable, and rode many for Lionel B. Holliday the famous owner. Lester regarded him highly and tipped him to be the next great jockey. I don`t know what happened but it might have been weight problems as he was tall for a jockey.
Another great apprentice who seemed to disappear was Robert Sidebottom, who was attached to Denys Smith stable, and rode many for Lionel B. Holliday the famous owner. Lester regarded him highly and tipped him to be the next great jockey. I don`t know what happened but it might have been weight problems as he was tall for a jockey.
robert sidebottam is senior instructor at the british racing school newmarket.....
Ekissen , I heard the same ( from a good source) that Lucas was a very shrewd judge and definitely new the time of day !
Many thanks Mighty Mac - Sleeping Partner race - so good to see the race again. And your other bits of knowledge are so accurate and memorable. Great stuff. I think me and my mate were only about 12 when we both had a bob each way on at 20/1 as I recall. What I vivdly remember is that his big brother, who wasn't to be messed with, was raging mad when we shouted it home, as he was on the runner up. "You two koonts shouldn't be flucking betting anyway" !We scarpered smartish not before he'd kicked my mate a beauty up the rss! Can't remember for the life of me how we got it on ( or out ) but I do remember it was in the days just before standard betting slips came in ( or pens ) and we wrote the bets in pencil on a torn out page of a school exercise book! In these days you opened a bookies door and a whole stoor of smoke came belching out. You could barely see anything above six feet high.
12 years old and I'm loaded, with a £pound and some in my pocket!
12 years old and I'm loaded, with a £pound and some in my pocket!
I was 10 when my Dad took me to York for the ebor meeting in 1960.
I remember stopping Lester on his way to the paddock and asked for his autograph. He stopped and signed my racecard and thanked me !
It was only later that I marvelled at his politeness given that he is known for his craggyness . He was one of the great jockeys even then and I was just a snotty nosed kid in shorts.
Eddie Hide also gave me his autograph and naively I asked if he was going to win. He said” You'd better ask the horse ,son “.
Great memories.
I remember stopping Lester on his way to the paddock and asked for his autograph. He stopped and signed my racecard and thanked me !
It was only later that I marvelled at his politeness given that he is known for his craggyness . He was one of the great jockeys even then and I was just a snotty nosed kid in shorts.
Eddie Hide also gave me his autograph and naively I asked if he was going to win. He said” You'd better ask the horse ,son “.
Great memories.
Feltfair I think Duncan had huge weight problems , very good jockey and ended up running a pub somewhere I believe...
Brians, great story, a smiling Lester now there's a thing of beauty..
LoyalHoncho, another wonderful story, bet, pardon the pun you were hooked from there on in!.
Brians, great story, a smiling Lester now there's a thing of beauty..
LoyalHoncho, another wonderful story, bet, pardon the pun you were hooked from there on in!.
I remember being on a plane back from Deauville around 1970 when Duncan Keith and Peter Walwyn were also on it. Some more names from the past who rode for Jim Old in the days when I was an owner. Sandy May rode my first winner as an owner and Clive Candy and Paul Richards also rode. Clive later became assistant trainer. Later Guy Upton rode for a few years as did Tom Grantham.
In 1966 I was working as a student in Battersea and had the following bet, I Say (Coronatioin Cup) ridden by Duncan Keith, trained by Walter Nightingall and a horse called Lampus as I recall trained by Fred Armstrong but don`t remember the jockey.
Two and sixpence win each and a two and sixpence win double. Both won at 10/1 and 100/8 respectively.Couldn`t believe my luck getting what was a months student wages at the time.
Sorry about the aftertiming.
Two and sixpence win each and a two and sixpence win double. Both won at 10/1 and 100/8 respectively.Couldn`t believe my luck getting what was a months student wages at the time.
Sorry about the aftertiming.
Lampus was trained by Jack Watts and ridden by Brian Taylor. Those 2 winners formed the daily Double, though as it paid £57 9s (to a 10/- stake), you were better off at SP.
Thanks for that I would have never got the trainer and jockey.
Feltfair a millionaire for a few weeks after collecting that bet, its incredible to think how short money was in those days...
No problem LH.
Thanks skip for info on Robert Sidebottom.
Cheers workrider.
Thanks skip for info on Robert Sidebottom.
Cheers workrider.
Cheers workrider. It did and I was. In the same year my old man wanted a bit of company on the bus ( I worked out later ) and he took me to the dogs on a Saturday night. Unbelievable, just by looking at the dogs on the way by/parade ( and I followed them around almost, I picked the first three winners on looks and appearance. Pure co-incidence, who the flyck knows, but I know I was hugely disappointed when my old man hadn';t backed them! Then this noise filled the air and I had no idea what was happening. He told me later he stood and watched me, not having told me, to see my reaction. Then six dogs, with multi coloured jackets flashed out of the boxes, heads up and down, round the bend, flashed past me ( and hundreds of others! ) on the spectator rail and the rest is history! Absolutely hooked. The pie and bovril and having my old man to myself for ten minutes later on was magic too!
Workrider, when I graduated in 1968 I started my first job at £1400 a year and was living the dream.
More great stories lads thanks, I was engaged at 17 and me and my girlfriend went to bingo in Liberty Hall in Dublin I won the top prize which was the princely sum of £100 in Ireland at the time . The talk was about the engaged couple who won the huge prize . I thought I was a millionaire....
. I thought I was a millionaire....
Sep 16, 2020 -- 3:12PM, punchestown wrote:
From my early days at the track,George McGrath,Ray Carroll,Oliver Gray,Paddy Sullivan,Johnny Roe,John Corr,Paul Jarman.RF (Buster) Parnell amongst a lot of others...
I was in primary school and used to write to Christy Roche and Raymond Carroll(the penpal thing was in full swing then). The jockeys used to have their phone numbers and addresses in the phone book then. Still have some of the letters.
When I was about 9 in 1958 , My Dad used to take holidays in Devon and used to take me and my Uncle Fred to Newton Abbott, Devon and Exeter and the now defunct Buckfastleigh. Now Uncle Fred was a very dour Yorkshireman and never used two words where one was due.
I think it was at Buckfastleigh one day that Uncle Fred had backed the favourite on the tote in a 3 mile chase. This horse ran away from the field with ease but it wasn't Fred's nature to cheer it on or even shout as it came to the last fence where we were stood, on its own and well in front.
With an enormous noise of breaking branches The horse ploughed through the fence and the jockey was catapulted into the air , arms and legs flailing like a cartoon character as the horse got up and galloped away. After several impressive somersaults the jockey landed near us .
He staggered to his feet , covered in mud and Fred beckoned him over.
This dishevelled , limping soul looked over to Uncle Fred who calmly said , “ Tha owes me 4 bob. “.
I think it was at Buckfastleigh one day that Uncle Fred had backed the favourite on the tote in a 3 mile chase. This horse ran away from the field with ease but it wasn't Fred's nature to cheer it on or even shout as it came to the last fence where we were stood, on its own and well in front.
With an enormous noise of breaking branches The horse ploughed through the fence and the jockey was catapulted into the air , arms and legs flailing like a cartoon character as the horse got up and galloped away. After several impressive somersaults the jockey landed near us .
He staggered to his feet , covered in mud and Fred beckoned him over.
This dishevelled , limping soul looked over to Uncle Fred who calmly said , “ Tha owes me 4 bob. “.
Well done Brians.I've got another story like yours workrider but it's kind of at a tangent to the thread really. Suffice it to say that a greyhound ( mine ) paid for my wedding away back in '79.
Sometimes I look back and wonder what would have happened if it has got beat?
Good old freckles!
Can just picture him Brians .....Another jockey from yesteryear was Johnny Murtagh late 60s 70s could do very low weights and rode some nice winners
..Another jockey from yesteryear was Johnny Murtagh late 60s 70s could do very low weights and rode some nice winners
Forgive my interjection - workrider - But ...
"Johnny Murtagh" - "late 70s 70s" ?
Do you not mean .... John ROE.
No mention of a Murtagh on Jockeypedia - other than the recent one.
"Johnny Murtagh" - "late 70s 70s" ?
Do you not mean .... John ROE.
No mention of a Murtagh on Jockeypedia - other than the recent one.
No Onlooker , he was a lightweight long before the present Johnny, think he could do 7.12.
Not old time jockeys, more no longer with us.
2nd Sun in Oct 2012 on the train back to Prague from a great day at Pardubicie sits in a carriage with this deflated unassuming young man turns out to be Treds. One of the best evenings in my life. Sadly missed Kind, good man.
2nd Sun in Oct 2012 on the train back to Prague from a great day at Pardubicie sits in a carriage with this deflated unassuming young man turns out to be Treds. One of the best evenings in my life. Sadly missed Kind, good man.
I will have to delve into my old books - workrider - and try to find some info/confirmation.
"7st 12" - was far from being a proper lightweight in the late 60s - as the bottom weight was still just 7st dead - with apprentices riding at 6st 7 lb. with their claim
"7st 12" - was far from being a proper lightweight in the late 60s - as the bottom weight was still just 7st dead - with apprentices riding at 6st 7 lb. with their claim
^ - I think we have taken that as an obvious given ... as, of course, did John Roe - other than when he was riding some for Bernard Van Cutsem - from memory
... as, of course, did John Roe - other than when he was riding some for Bernard Van Cutsem - from memory
Possibly no connection, but for the 1962 season, a J Murtagh was an apprentice to W (Dick) Hern. His registered weight for the coming season was 5st 10lbs
Johnny Roe was one of the best ever Irish jockeys never to ride regularly in Britain , spent most of his riding life in Ireland , a few short trips over for the odd ride in the Camb etc would have been about his limit...Johnny used to visit the pub were my uncle used to drink and would tell him about his rides , usually a winner on St Patricks day for Connolly would get the flat season up and running, Johnny ended up training in Asia before returning to Ireland were he was to be seen racing most days at the Curragh , sadly he died around a year ago..R.I.P.
I see what you mean Onlooker , tried Googling him not a mention ...
Apart from ptp amateurs, the first jockeys I saw live were Derek Ancil and Bob Turnell among others at what was called the Beaufort meeting at Sherston which was under NH rules and nothing to do with the Didmarton ptp course. Must have been around 1955 at a guess.
Sep 19, 2020 -- 1:30PM, workrider wrote:
Johnny Roe was one of the best ever Irish jockeys never to ride regularly in Britain , spent most of his riding life in Ireland , a few short trips over for the odd ride in the Camb etc would have been about his limit...Johnny used to visit the pub were my uncle used to drink and would tell him about his rides , usually a winner on St Patricks day for Connolly would get the flat season up and running, Johnny ended up training in Asia before returning to Ireland were he was to be seen racing most days at the Curragh , sadly he died around a year ago..R.I.P.
My old man always said Johnny spent too much time in the pub...
Johnny seldom put you wrong , him and Connolly were lethal with early 2 yos...
Just spotted Geoff Oldroyd is back training again. Anyone know where he's been for the last 5 years?
One of my favourites as a rider and trainer was Tommy Gosling. As a rider he was latterly with Jeremy Tree. He used to ride Sir Winston's horses Cololonist, Vienna and High Hat.
I may have missed it but I don't think I saw a mention of Frank Morby who passed away last week. an oldie who acted as second jock to Peter Walwyn.
Don't know if anyone has mentioned Ridley Lamb , second in the Grand National, winner of the Scottish and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner on The Thinker. He was an extremely strong rider but got too heavy and retired. Shortly afterwards he drove into the sea at Seahouses Quay , many times over the drink limit , killing himself and fellow jockey Alan Merrigan. A sad ending.
Well done young man, now the memories will start back for many...
This thread and 'Piggott Stories' are surely the forums all time most entertaining offerings.
Very kind of you to say so Paulbu, I must have a good look over it ...
Martin Pepper. Jumps rider often at Southwell in the 60s. Saw him take a terrific fall once but he got up smiling and I thought about how tough a life it was. I was just a kid but thought his name was so unusual. I often wonder what happened to him.
Pepper was about in the 70s and 80s Brians not the 60s.
Yes you are right Acey. I must have been older than I thought. Says he was a flat jockey on Jockeypedia but I definitely remember him over jumps at Southwell, which was a jumps only course then. He was the son of a trawlerman from Hull. Do you know any more ?
I was working in Malton the same time as him i forget who he was working for now it was back in the 70s
I was working in Malton the same time as him i forget who he was working for now it was back in the 70s
I was working for Jock Skilling at the time who never quite made it as a Trainer but was a lovely man.
May 11, 2021 -- 6:08PM, brians wrote:
Don't know if anyone has mentioned Ridley Lamb , second in the Grand National, winner of the Scottish and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner on The Thinker. He was an extremely strong rider but got too heavy and retired. Shortly afterwards he drove into the sea at Seahouses Quay , many times over the drink limit , killing himself and fellow jockey Alan Merrigan. A sad ending.
Steve Charlton the valet and ex Jump jockey was in the car with them, he told me about it over a drink one night in a bar in Essex.
He's from up north but was staying with friends i know.
About twenty years ago, there was a thread on here with the title 'Piggott Stories'. It started off with posts solely on the exploits and 'one-liners' that Lester was reputed to have been associated with, but it later developed into a thread about the nature/ structure of horse racing as it was many years ago and some of the characters involved. The thread received acclamation both in the racing press and a national daily for the quality of the input and enthusiasm shown by the posters. This thread bears many resemblances.
Eric Apter,Clive Eccleston,John Lowe and a good few were light jockeys who were brave as lions round that tight Lanark track…..
Ray Still, Dennis McKay and David East were very brave lightweight jockeys to ride around The Frying Pan at Ally Pally .
The camber went the wrong way at Ally Pally, and if you had a shower before racing on the firm ground, it was like an ice rink
Giving my age away but i rode work with J.Seagrave.
Dad was total Northern trainer follower and uncle did accounts for a few , Hide and Seagrave never got a bad word , nor Edgar Britt - aussie and lived past 100 and initially rode up North .
Johnny Seagrave was my number one jockey and I had a picture of him on my room wall when at Leeds University. Season after season it was he and Eddie Hide chasing the accolade of '**** of the north' although Hide won more often than not. My first recollection of Seagrave was when he was stable jockey at Pat Rohan's.
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