Davenport, Steve

The son of a businessman, Stephen George Davenport was born in Manchester on December 10, 1944. He lived close to the Old Trafford Cricket ground and, by the age of eight, was already riding ponies, hunting and show-jumping.

He won his first race, riding Long Boat, at Southwell on April 19, 1962.

Steve became champion amateur in 1963-64 with 32 winners.

They included a four-timer at Uttoxeter on Whit Monday 1964.

He had his best win on Surcharge in the 1968 Topham Trophy, but the best horse he rode was Eternal, om which he finished fourth in the 1964 Grand National.

Having ridden 192 winners, he retired from the saddle in 1975 and began training show-jumpers.

Article by Chas Hammond

He died in January 2018, aged 74, following a long illness.