Edward Hide

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.

Bob Champion

Since his retirement from the saddle in 1983, Robert ‘Bob’ Champion has probably been best known to the general public as the founder of the Bob Champion Cancer Trust, which was established that same year and has since raised over £15 million for cancer research. Indeed, Champion was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2021 New Year Honours for charitable services in that sphere.

Of course, as a National Hunt jockey, Champion was no slouch; in fact, far from it. He rode his first winner, Altercation, in a novices’ chase at Plumpton on January 17, 1968, as a 19-year-old amateur, and turned professional the following season. In his career as a whole, Champion went on to ride 500 or so winners, with notable successes including Highland Wedding in the Eider Chase at Newcastle, Approaching in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury and Henry Bishop in the SGB Chase at Ascot. In 1977/78, he reached his highest finishing position, in the National Hunt Jockeys’ Championship, third behind Jonjo O’Neill, with 56 winners.

However, Champion will always be best remembered for just one ride, that on Aldaniti, trained by Josh Gifford, in the 1981 Grand National. Indeed, their fairytale-like story was immortalised in the 1984 film, ‘Champions’, starring John Hurt as Champion. In July 1979, aged 31 and at the peak of his powers, Champion was diagnosed with testicular cancer, requiring surgery, followed by a gruelling course of chemotherapy, if he was to have any hope of survival. Thankfully, the treatment proved successful, eventually, and Champion returned to racing. So, too, did Aldaniti, having recovered fron life-threatening leg injuries to take his place in the Aintree lineup. ‘Porcelain’ legs or not, Aldaniti led over the final fence and held on to win by four lengths, on what was just his second start in the best part of 18 months.

Well Known Celebrity Racehorse Owners

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While the jockey may take the glory when the horse speeds past the winning post, clinching victory is a team effort. This involves a lengthy process that also includes the trainers and crucially, the owners. There have been many influential ones over the years, well-known for other ventures, who have invested in horse racing. Below, we discuss the most well-known celebrity racehorse owners and the jockeys who rode for them.

Alex Ferguson

Alex Ferguson is known as one of the greatest football managers of all time. From 1986 to 2013 he was in charge of Manchester United and turned the club into the global brand it is today. He won 38 trophies with them, which included 13 Premier League titles, several FA cups, and two Champions League final wins.

He is often credited with investing in the youth section of the club. A particular highlight was his class of 92, who went on to be the backbone of one of his strongest squads and the glory period of the team. Yet Ferguson has managed to transfer this skill of spotting talent to horses. Now his managerial days are over, he can often be seen cheering on his horses which have included Protektorat, Clan des Obeaux and Monmiral.

Luckily, anyone who has an eye for spotting talent is now able to follow the same path and invest in racehorses. You do not need Alex Ferguson funds either. You can enjoy racehorse ownership for a relatively low entry point with online providers, and become part of a syndicate. Online platforms will provide you with stats and information on the horse until it is ready to race, where you will take a share in the profit if it wins.

Dame Judi Dench

 

Dame Judi Dench is a legend of theatre, film and television. Her most famous roles are playing M in the James Bond series and her work on the romantic comedy series As Time Goes By. Yet when she is not bagging awards for her work, she has a keen interest in horse racing and ownership.

Her most prolific winner has been Smokey Oakey. This managed to win seven times. This included the Lincoln and Brigadier Gerard Stakes. Another of her horses, As De Mee, was a six-time winner. Trained by Paul Nicholls, it won the Grand Sefton Chase and was in for Grand National contention before being ruled out by injury.

Liz Hurley

Liz Hurley sprung to the public’s attention in the nineties, when she attended a London premiere in a black Versace dress that made headlines. However, she is also a prolific actress appearing in Austin Powers and Bedazzled.

Her involvement in horses comes through the Highclere Thoroughbred Syndicate. This was founded in 1992 by Harry Herbert and John Warren. While the two run the operation, they allow people to invest and have a long list of celebrities which also includes Heston Blumenthal and Hugh Bonneville.

There are always celebrities at the races, and some of them like Alex Ferguson, have a great track record when it comes to picking winners. Watch the horses they own and you may just be able to pick out a future winner.

The Most Successful Irish Jockeys Of The Past Decade

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Many consider Ireland to be the home of horse racing. The country has certainly turned out some of the most amazing jockeys over the years, making Ireland one to watch when it comes to the sport. Even in the past decade, there have been some incredible jockeys that made incredible achievements in racing. Here are some of the most successful Irish jockeys of the past decade.

Mark Walsh

Mark Walsh is a jockey who primarily competes in national hunt racing. He has racked up many wins during his career, with his first win on Shrug at Punchestown in September 2002. He typically rides for owner J. P. McManus, and has claimed major wins for him in the World Series Hurdle, the Irish Gold Cup, and the Espoir d’Allen in the Champion Hurdle.

He saw particular success last year, riding on 33-1 winner Sire Du Berlais at the Cheltenham Festival. With so many wins under his belt, he certainly is some of the toughest competition in any race he competes in.

Jack Kennedy

Jack Kennedy has quickly become one of the top Irish jockeys in the game today. In the 2023 / 2024 National Hunt season, he was named as Champion Jockey.

This was a close call during the competition, as he was competing against some of the best Irish jockeys around right now. However, he did manage to pull it out of the bag and earn his title. This was his very first jockey’s championship success, and is the culmination of 12 months of hard work and some great wins in the sport.

Right now, he has ridden over 100 winners in a season, such as Irish Point, Gerri Colombe, and Found A Fifty. An injury did threatened take him out of the competition last year, at the Cheltenham Festival. However, with excellent care he was able to get back to racing. With 123 wins under his belt at time of writing, he is very clearly one to watch in the horse racing scene.

Paul Townend

Paul Townend was one of Kennedy’s biggest competitors this year, and seen a lot of success of his own. He was fierce competition, having taken the leading jockey’s prize in 2023, 2022, and 2020 at the Cheltenham Festival. Because of this, he was the odds on favourite to land the trophy again this year according to the popular Irish racing bookmakers. Before the competition, bookies were offering odds 2-5 on him to win.

He is a rider in Irish champion trainer’s Willie Mullins’ stable. After the retirement of Ruby Walsh, he became the top jockey in stable, giving him the pick of the horses there. He began his career with the stable as an apprentice flat racing jockey. He soon started racking up the wins, with July 2018 his first win in the Galway Hurdle.

Jody Townend

Younger sister of Paul Townend, Jody Townend is shaping up to be a top level jockey in her own right. She is also partnered with Willie Mullins’ stable, and has many successes in recent races under her belt already. He claimed her first victory in 2015 when she was just 17, when she rode a winner in a point to point at Grennan.

She has since gone on to claim multiple wins in amateur categories, such as at the Connacht Hotel Amateur Riders’ Handicap with Great White Shark in 2019. When it was especially notable as she had suffered injury in a schooling fall in October of the previous year, with this race only being her fourth ride back.

It’s clear she is going to go on to even greater and better things, so she is a jockey that Irish racing fans need to be watching.

Rachael Blackmore

Rachael Blackmore is a record setting jockey who is one to watch in the racing scene. Growing up on a farm in Tipperary, she first started riding ponies when she was just two years old. Riding was part of her life through our whole childhood, and she took part in hunting, pony racing, coney club meets, and more. She even has a degree in equine science from the University of Limerick.

Blackmore started her career as an amateur jockey, getting her first win in 2011 on Stowaway Pearl, when she won the Tipperary Ladies’ Handicap. She turned professional in 2015, and has broken several records since. For example, she became the first female jockey to win the Grand National in 2021 as well as the first woman to be the leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival with six victories at the Cheltenham Festival in the same year. She also became the first female jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2022.

Keith Donoghue

Keith Donoghue secured his first win as a jockey in 2009, when he took part in his fourth ever race at the Kerry Spring Water Hurdle at Listowel in September 2009. Since then, he has wrapped up over 150 wins during his career, making him a formidable opponent.

He has partnered with several trainers, and claim some of his most notable successes under Gordon Elliott. For example, he rode on Elliott-trained horse Tiger Roll at the Cheltenham Festival in 2018. in 2021 he wrote the same horse and broke records by being the third only horse to win five or races at the festival.

That’s not the only when he has had, as he has gained several Grade 1 wins, with the first one being at the inaugural Matchbook Betting Exchange Novice Chase at Limerick in 2018. This was followed up with a second win at the Ladbrokes Champions Chase in 2020. At the end of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, he now has five festival winners to his name after he won the Mares’ Chase.

These are just a selection of some of the most successful Irish jockeys of the past decade. You can see just how much talent is up and coming, so you can certainly look forward to some exciting races in the near future with these competitors.