Aside from Sir Gordon Richards, who else was Champion Jockey between 1925 and 1953?

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Aside from Sir Gordon Richards, who else was Champion Jockey between 1925 and 1953? At the time of his enforced retirement, aged 50, on August 10, 1954, Sir Gordon Richards had ridden 4,870 winners, which was, at the time, a world record. The first jockey ever to be knighted, Richards won the jockeys’ title 26 times between 1925 and 1953 and, in 1947, rode 269 winners, thereby setting a British single-season record, which would stand until 2002, when beaten by the equally indomitable Sir Anthony McCoy.

‘Moppy’, as Richards was popularly known, was a force majeure in British Flat racing for most of his 34-year career in the saddle, but his reign as Champion Jockey was interrupted three times. In his first year as a fully-fledged professional, 1925, Richards rode 118 winners to take his first title but, the following year, contracted tuberculosis and was sidelined for most of the season. In his absence, Thomas ‘Tommy’ Weston, retained rider Edward Stanley, Earl of Derby, became Champion Jockey for the one and only time with 95 winners.

Having recuperated, Richards returned to winning ways, taking the jockeys’ title again in 1927, 1928 and 1929. However, in 1930, following a ding-dong battle with Frederick ‘Freddie’ Fox, narrowly missed out on his fifth title, 129 winners to 128, on the final day of the season. Undeterred, Richards was Champion Jockey for the next ten seasons running and may have remained so until the end of his career, but for breaking his leg six weeks into the 1941 Flat season. Another enforced absence allowed veteran Harry Wragg, a.k.a. ‘The Head Waiter’, to finally emerged from his shadow and take his one and only title with 71 winners. Once again, Richards resumed where he had left off, winning another dozen titles in a row before retiring.

Which two female jockeys have ridden 1,000 winners in Europe?

Which two female jockeys have ridden 1,000 winners in Europe? In short, the two female jockeys who have ridden 1,000 winners in Europe are Hayley Turner and Hollie Doyle. Turner became the first to do so, when, on November 21, 2023, when she rode 9/4 favourite Tradesman, trained by David Simcock, to comfortable, 1¾-length win in the Illuminate Christmas Ball Handicap, over two miles, at Chelmsford. The victory was fitting insofar that the winner was owned by Khalifa Dasmal, who also provided Turner with the first of her two Group 1 winners, Dream Ahead, also trained by Simcock, in the July Cup at Newmarket on July 9, 2011. Reflecting on reaching the career landmark, Turner, 41, said, “I’m chuffed and relieved. Although it’s taken me 20 years to do it, it will probably take the girls behind me half the time.”

She was nearly right, too, because Hollie Doyle brought up 1,000 career winners on Leyhaimur, coincidentally also trained by David Simcock, in a nursery handicap at Goodwood on September 3, 2024. That success came exactly 11 years, 3 months, 29 days after her first, on The Mongoose, trained by David Evans, in a lady amateur riders’ handicap at Salisbury on May 5, 2013. Doyle, 27, has been making headlines for most of her career and broke the record for the number of winners ridden by a female jockey three years running in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Currently with nine Group 1 winners to her name, she said, “Never when I started off my career did I imagine I would ride this many winners. Now all I can think about is the next thousand.”

Behind the Track: How Trainers Prepare Top Racehorses

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Behind the Track: How Trainers Prepare Top Racehorses Training a racehorse isn’t just about getting them to run fast. It’s an intricate dance of understanding the individual horse’s personality, optimizing physical conditioning, and perfecting essential racing skills. Here’s an inside look at what it takes to prepare a horse for one of the most prestigious events in horse racing.

Understanding Individual Learning Styles

Like humans, each horse has a unique learning style. What works for one horse might not work for another. A great trainer doesn’t just follow a set routine. Instead, they observe the horse’s behavior, identify its strengths and weaknesses, and adapt their training methods accordingly.
Personalized Training: Some horses are naturally lazy in the mornings but come alive in the afternoons. Others might need more time to acclimate to new environments. Recognizing these patterns, trainers create individualized schedules that cater to the specific needs of each horse.
Building Trust: A significant part of training involves building a rapport with the horse. Through consistent and positive interactions, trainers establish trust, making the horse more responsive to commands and training routines.

Mastering the Circle

All horses know how to run, but racing involves more than just running in straight lines – especially in North American races that proceed counter-clockwise. One crucial skill is teaching horses to run in circles efficiently.
Lead Changes: When running, a horse’s legs on one side of the body lead more than the other. For a racehorse, changing leads effectively is essential to conserve energy. Typically, horses will run on their right lead during straightaways and switch to their left lead around turns.
Energy Conservation: By changing leads, horses avoid overworking one set of legs. This skill not only conserves energy but also helps prevent injuries.
Training Techniques: Trainers start by reinforcing these lead changes during routine jogs and gallops. Through repetition and gradual intensification, horses learn to switch leads smoothly and on cue.

Conditioning and Workouts

Just as an athlete prepares for a marathon, racehorses undergo a systematic conditioning process. This ensures they possess the stamina and strength needed to perform at their peak.
Routine Exercises: Training typically starts with simple jogs and gallops early in the morning. These exercises help build a foundation of stamina and muscle strength.
Timed Workouts and Breeze: As the horse’s conditioning improves, trainers introduce more intense workouts. Known as “breezing,” these sessions involve running at a stronger pace for a specified distance and are closely timed to gauge fitness levels. Some trainers prefer fast workouts, while others emphasize a moderate start with a vigorous finish.

The Crucial Starting Gate

The starting gate is a modern innovation in horse racing. Learning to navigate this enclosure is vital for any racehorse.
History and Modern Usage: Before the advent of the electric starting gate in 1939, races began with horses lined up behind a rope or a signal flag. Today, the electric gate ensures a more controlled and fair start.
Getting Accustomed: Training horses to use the gate involves several steps. Initially, horses walk in and out of the stalls. Gradually, they learn to stand within the enclosure for extended periods, both alone and with other horses. The final step is teaching them to start running as soon as the gate opens.
Importance: Proper gate training reduces anxiety and ensures smoother race starts, which can significantly impact performance.

Embracing Research and Technology

Modern racehorse training is also deeply rooted in science and technology. By leveraging research and innovative tools, trainers can better understand and optimize their horse’s performance.
Research Insights: Studies on the musculoskeletal system and racetrack surfaces provide valuable information on how to train effectively while minimizing injuries. More presentations and research topics from institutions like the Grayson-Jockey Club shed light on these factors.
Technology Integration: Advanced technologies, such as biomechanics and surface analysis tools, help trainers design better training programs and improve track conditions. These innovations contribute to more effective and safer training environments.

Conclusion

Training a racehorse involves a blend of science, art, and intuition. From understanding individual learning styles to mastering lead changes and conditioning techniques, every aspect requires meticulous attention. The journey to race readiness is as much about the trainer’s skills and insights as it is about the horse’s natural abilities. As we look forward to seeing these magnificent creatures compete, perhaps even in the bet on 2024 Breeders Cup, it’s worth appreciating the depth of preparation that happens behind the track.

This mix of personalized care, systematic training, and scientific research culminates in crafting racehorses ready to tackle the challenges of the racetrack. Through dedication and expertise, trainers bring out the best in each horse, ensuring they shine brightly on race day.

Paul Barton

Born in Newport, Isle of Wight on February 13, 1954, Paul Barton became apprenticed to David ‘Gandy’ Gandolfo at Down Stables in Wantage, Oxfordshire – where he would spend the whole of his 15-year riding career – and rode his first winner, Inigo Jones, at the now-defunct Folkestone on December 21, 1972.

Arguably the highest-profile victory of his career came in 1979, when he won the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on Peter Scot, trained by Gandolfo, although he did win the Anthony Mildmay, Peter Cazalet Memorial Chase at Sandown Park two years later. In 1982, the partnership tackled the Grand National proper, but made it no further than Becher’s Brook on the first circuit.

In 1983, Barton replaced the injured John Francome on the 1982 winner, and favourite, Grittar, trained by Frank Gilman, but could only finish a remote fifth behind the history-making Corbiere, trained by Jenny Pitman. Indeed, Grittar aside, he completed the National Course just once more in eight rides, finishing ninth on Rathlek, also trained by Gandolfo, in 1981.

That year, Barton did win the Topham Chase, over the Grand National fences, on Mr. Malsbridge and the Mackeson Gold Cup (now the Paddy Power Gold Cup) at Cheltenham on Henry Kissinger, both of whom were trained by Gandolfo. Later in his career, he also won the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festval on Reldis, trained by Gandolfo, in 1982, the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster on Get Out Of Me Way, trained by Graham Thorner, in 1983 and the Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree on Pearlyman, trained by John Edwards, in 1986.

Barton enjoyed his most successful season, numerically, in 1977/78, when he rode 42 winners. At the time of his retirement, at the relatively early age off 33, in 1987, he had a total of 353 winners to his name.