Born on April 12, 1937 in the village of Stanton Lacy, near Ludlow, Shropshire, Edward Hide was just 13 years old when he had his first ride in public, Copper Wire, trained by his father, Bill, at Birmingham on August 29, 1950. He rode his first winner, Ritornello, also owned and trained by his father, at Chepstow on September 22, 1951 and went on to become champion apprentice three times, in 1954, 1956 and 1957.
By the time he won his first apprentices’ title, Hide had forged an association with Captain Charles Elsey, who was based at Highfield Stables in Malton, North Yorkshire. Indeed, it was for Elsey that he rode his first Classic winnner, Cantelo, in the 1959 St. Leger. In a career spanning 36 years, Hide would add five more to his tally, namely Pia in the 1967 Oaks, Waterloo and Mrs. McArdy in the 1972 and 1977 1,000 Guineas, respectively, Morston in the 1973 Derby and Julio Mariner in the 1978 St. Leger.
Considered one of the most tactically astute jockeys of his generation, Hide went on to ride a total of 2,593 winners and, at the time of his retirement, aged 49, was the sixth most successful jockey in the history of British Flat racing. He never managed to add a senior jockeys’ title to his apprentices’ titles – runner-up behind Arthur ‘Scobie’ Breasley in 1957 was his highest placing in the senior jockeys’ championship – but he did win the prestigious ‘ Cock O’ The North’ title no fewer than 16 times.
Redcar, where Hide won three Zetland Gold Cups, on Henry VII (1962), Move Off (1977), and Say Primula (1987), proved a particularly happy hunting ground. At the first meeting after his death, the
‘Celebrating The Life of Edward Hide Restricted Novice Stakes’ was run at the North Yorskshire course in his memory.
