Gallery 4
Featuring : Jockeys
Among the jockeys featured in this exhibition are the three most charismatic British riders of the twentieth century – Steve Donoghue, Sir Gordon Richards and Lester Piggott.
Steve Donoghue is seen in the colours of Mr H E Morris for whom he won the Derby on Manna in 1925 in a painting by W Smithson Broadhead. Donoghue had great charm, and a vagueness that could amount to irresponsibility, especially when he wanted to ride a horse he fancied, rather than the one for which he was retained in the Derby. He was champion from 1914 – 1923 and won 14 Classics.
Sir Gordon Richards was champion jockey 26 times between 1925 and 1953. A rather wonderful dressing case can be seen bequeathed to him by Fred Darling for whom he rode as stable jockey until Darling’s retirement in 1947.
Lester Piggott captured the public imagination since boyhood and is the most successful member of a long established racing family. Included in his display is the earband worn by Lester after he almost lost an ear when his horse took exception to the Starting Stalls. His ear required 31 stitches!
There are many important 19th century jockeys – the Day family, Sam Chifney and George Fordham but the best remembered must be Fred Archer. During his lifetime he was a legend and his immortality was already assured when in 1886 he shot himself at his Newmarket home. He was only 29 but had been champion jockey for 13 consecutive years. A selection of memorabilia relating to him including the revolver with which he took his life is on display.
Francis Buckle (1766 – 1832) was one of the very early leading jockeys weighing only 3st 13Ibs when he first weighed out, he was known as the ‘Pocket Hercules’ and much loved for his honesty and simplicity of character. His silks, riding boots and whip can be seen on display.
Other jockeys represented include Frankie Dettori and the colours worn by him on his magnificent seven winners at Ascot on 28 September 1996. A.P McCoy the most successful jump jockey in the history of National Hunt racing, Peter Scudamore and Willie Carson.
