1938-1966
photo courtesy John Griffiths
Born in Scarborough on May 14, 1938, Donald Morris was apprenticed to Captain Charles Elsey and rode his first winner, Beethoven, at Pontefract on October 29, 1955.Don was still at school when he cycled the 44 miles from his Harrogate home to Elsey's stables at Malton in 1954. He was given a month's trial and joined the stable on leaving school.
He won the 1962 Ebor (Sostenuto) and the 1965 Great Metropolitan (Romp Home).
Tragically, Don was killed in a car crash, aged 28, on December 17, 1966.
His son, Stuart - born on February 6, 1961, also became a jockey and was champion apprentice in Hong Kong.
Don rode a total of 179 winners.
Article courtesy Chas Hammond