Carter, Tommy

Tommy Carter was born November 18, 1930 and served his apprenticeship with George Todd.

His first winner was Owenclane, which won an apprentice race at Liverpool on Wednesday November 10, 1948.

An excellent lightweight jockey, he won several rich handicaps including the 

Newbury Spring, Summer & Autumn Cups, City & Suburban, William Hill Gold Cup 

on Songedor, the Cesarewitch and, on My Beau, he won the Nunthorpe Stakes and, on Yellow River, the Queen's Vase.

One race which escaped him was the 1971 Royal Hunt Cup. He was offered the mount on Picture Boy, but turned it down in order to ride Alcindoro. The well-drawn Picture Boy won easily by four lengths.

On Monday July 21 1975, Tommy Carter was injured at Epsom when thrown from his mount, Baroncroft before the start of the Rosemead Handicap. He was taken to the Wrexham Park Hospital, Slough, for head X-rays. The accident happened when Baroncroft backed out of the stalls, reared up, and threw him.

It was the beginning of the end; because of this injury he was forced to retire the following January.

Tommy lived at 3, The Spinney, Tattenham Corner, Epsom and was married on his 24th birthday to Valerie Butcher who gave him two sons, Paul and Ian.

Tommy loved a round of golf and a quiet hour or two fishing.

He died on February 11, 1996, aged 65.

Biggest wins:

1954:  Nunthorpe Stakes - My Beau

1961:  City & Suburban - Nerograph

1962:  William Hill Gold Cup - Songedor

1970:  Queen's Vase - Yellow River

1974:  Cesarewitch - Ocean King

1974:  Queen's Prize - Ocean King