Boothman, Peter

Peter Ellis Boothman was born in Lincolnshire on September 17, 1940, and lived for a time at Norton Place, Ballysax, Curragh, Co Kildare.Moving to England, he lived at Dunromin, Cardigan Street, Newmarket, where he served his apprenticeship with Harry Wragg between July 1956 and July 1961.

He had his first ride in public on Dutton at Kempton on Friday May 10, 1957. 

His first winner was Pinky, at Birmingham on April 8, 1958. This was also his best season; he rode another 36 winners. That was also his best season; he rode another 36 winners and ended the season as champion apprentice.

In 1959, whilst riding Masquerade in the City & Suburban, Peter had a bad fall when his mount came to a path which crossed the course from the cheaper enclosures to the centre.

Masquerade crashed into the rails and fell violently. Being downhill at that point, the pace and impetus were high. Peter was thrown heavily, but clear of the rails and the horse.

He lay badly winded on the ground until collected by the ambulance. He sustained severe bruising.

His mount, having smashed the bone of a hind leg, was not so fortunate, and was destroyed by the vet immediately.

The cause of the accident appeared to have been a gap in the running rails; Masquerade probably tried to run out when he saw the opening.

Peter went on to win the 1958 Royal Hunt Cup (Amos) and the Crocker Buteel Cup.

He died on 6 November, 2016, aged 76.