Henry, Brian

In September, 1964, freelance northern jockey Brian Henry, then 34 years of age and with just 13 winners on the board for that season, made plans to ride in India and Pakistan that winter.

Born on November 2, 1939, Brian had served his apprenticeship with P. M. Taylor at Northlands, Walkington in Beverley. (Taylor had first taken out a trainer's licence in 1938 in France.)

Brian rode his first winner when partnering Jack's Choice (100/9) for Taylor at Catterick on Saturday 12 April, 1958.

Having had his first ride some two years earlier (Beau Navaree for E. Gifford (Harrogate) at Bogside on April 20, 1956), he was scarcely winning out of turn.

Brian and Jack's Choice repeated their win at Catterick the following April.

By the end of 1958, Brian had ridden 28 winners.

He did even better the following season: his win on Sayajirao Star in Carlisle's Cumberland Plate was his fortieth against senior riders. That year, he was just pipped for the apprentice championship by R.P.Elliott.

Other trainers he rode for included William Newton of Sandbeck Training Stables, Wetherby and Arthur Balding, who sent out horses from Serlby Hall Stables, Bawtry, nr Doncaster.

Although a good, competent, jockey, Brian never made it to the top of the tree but won his share: for example, when he won an Edinburgh nursery (on Some Tune) on Monday, September 18, 1967, it was just his 21st win of the year (and Pat Rohan's 46th).

Brian spent the winter of 1970/71 riding with great success in Cyprus.

Having also ridden with equal success in Kenya for two years, Brian joined the Kingsdown Stable of Major Peter Nelson at Lambourn in 1976.

Another trainer to benefit from Brian's skills was Alfred Smith of Beverley, for whom Brian won several good races on Flying Tyke in 1978.

Brian won the 1962 Ayr Gold Cup on Janeat.

As a young man, Brian enjoyed a game of football and was a keen swimmer. He also kept racing pigeons.