Pickford, Peter

Aldbourne is a racing village which stands between Swindon & Hungerford, and it was from here that Major Powell sent out winners in

the late forties - and to where jockey Peter Pickford retired.

Having ridden close to 200 winners, Peter ran a Swindon pub for eight years before trying his hand at bookmaking. He finally retired to Aldbourne with his wife, June, and three sons, one of whom - Gary - became a first class farrier.The photo, left, - courtesy of Chris Pitt - shows Peter on Hart Royal in 1958.

Born in Evesham on April 3, 1930, Peter's interest in horses stemmed from his father, who was a huntsman. Peter was just five when he sat on his first pony. Leaving school at 13, he joined Harvey Leader at Newmarket and, on June 10, 1946, rode Zero, his first winner.

At that time, Peter lived at Brickfield Stud Cottages, Fordham Road, Newmarket.

Increasing weight forced him to change stables and racing codes: he joined Rip Bissil's yard at Aslockton, Nottinghamshire, and tried his luck at jumping. His first winner over the sticks, Redcross Girl for owner-trainer John Rose, came at Market Rasen, on Easter Monday, 1951.

Peter had no luck in the National: he rode Column in 1951, but crashed out at the first. The following year they finished eighth.

(above) Peter comes down at the first once again when riding Hart Royal in 1957. Photo courtesy of Chris Pitt

He tried again on the same horse again in 1958. He pulled the horse up approaching the second Becher's. In 1961 he fell at Becher's on Carrasco and, in 1965, completed the course on the front-running Peacetown.

Peter's best win had come at Cheltenham when booting home Flaming East in the 1957 County Hurdle.

He went from riding a career best of 22 winners (1964/65) to a career low of just 4 in 1967/68 after which he decided to hang up his boots. He had found himself riding horses other jockeys refused to ride and saw the game was up.