Doughy, Neale

The son of a steelworker, David Neale Doughty was born at Llwynpia, Glamorgan on 20 October 1957 and, in a career which spanned from 1978 to 1995, rode 598 winners.He had ridden from an early age, starting on pit ponies before graduating to the Llangeinor Hunt Pony Cup where he often competed against his friend, Paul Hamer, in local gymkhanas.

At the age of ten Neale would go knocking on the doors of the houses in his village asking if he could ride the owners' ponies.

After a while his father bought him his own pony (to be shared with his two sisters). From that moment, a career with horses was never in doubt.

He quit his academic studies at the age of seventeen to join Welsh trainer Fulke Walwyn at Lambourn. Then, after a period of time with Will Crawford and Bill Marshall, he was spotted by Cumbrian trainer Gordon Richards.

Richards wanted him as a successor to his stable jockey Ron Barry.

Neale's day in the sun came on March 31, 1984, when, on the Richard-trained Hello Dandy, he won the Grand National.

He kept the 10-year-old on the outside of the course and clear of trouble throughout the race. Landing in sixth place at Becher's on the second

circuit, he went on to jump Valentine's alongside the favourite, Greasepaint, the pair being clear of the 21 other horses who were to finish the race – the largest number of finishers on record.

Neale cleared the last fence two lengths ahead of Greasepaint and raced on to win.

Other major races won included Mackeson Gold Cup 83 (Pounentes), AF Budge Gold Cup 89 (Clever Folly), Peter Marsh Chase 92 (Twin Oaks), Reynoldstown Novices Chase 94 (One Man), Greenalls Gold Cup 91 (Twin Oaks), Mildmay Chase 84 (Noddys Ryde)

He also rode two Cheltenham Festival winners: National Hunt Handicap Chase 81 (Current Gold), Cathcart Challenge Cup 81 (Lord Greystoke)

His nine rides in the National were: 1982 Current Gold (5th), 1983 Hallo Dandy (4th), 1984 HALLO DANDY (WON), 1986 Hallo Dandy (12th), 1988 Friendly Henry (6th), 1989 Galas Image (7th), 1990 Rinus (3rd), 1991 Rinus (fell 20th), 1992 Twin Oaks (5th) .

After hanging up his saddle, Neale began renovating and developing old houses. 

Article courtesy Brian Lee