Gyles Parkin
Northern Flat jockey Gyles Parkin was born on March 8, 1973. He served his apprenticeship with a number of trainers including Reg Hollinshead, John Balding, Richard Whitaker and Mary Reveley, but rode his first winner for jumps trainer Nicky Henderson on Class Act in a Catterick apprentice race on July 19, 1990.
Northern Flat jockey Gyles Parkin was born on March 8, 1973. He served his apprenticeship with a number of trainers including Reg Hollinshead, John Balding, Richard Whitaker and Mary Reveley, but rode his first winner for jumps trainer Nicky Henderson on Class Act in a Catterick apprentice race on July 19, 1990.
A journeyman jockey based in Malton, the highlight of his career was when winning the £30,000 Coral Sprint Trophy at York aboard Bollin Joanne on October 12, 1996. He rode consistently without ever hitting the headlines: 10 wins from 250 rides in 1998; 12 wins from 260 rides in 1999; 13 wins from 300 rides in 2000. However, he suffered a bad fall in 2002 which left him with compressed vertebrae in his neck and back and he was unable to use his left arm for nine months.
A journeyman jockey based in Malton, the highlight of his career was when winning the £30,000 Coral Sprint Trophy at York aboard Bollin Joanne on October 12, 1996. He rode consistently without ever hitting the headlines: 10 wins from 250 rides in 1998; 12 wins from 260 rides in 1999; 13 wins from 300 rides in 2000. However, he suffered a bad fall in 2002 which left him with compressed vertebrae in his neck and back and he was unable to use his left arm for nine months.
Having recovered from the injuries, he rode 11 winners from 250 rides in 2004. But his career suffered a further setback when he was arrested at his North Yorkshire home on March 8, 2005, his 32nd birthday, in connection with the City of London Police investigation into alleged race-fixing. He was released without charge from the inquiry later that year.
Having recovered from the injuries, he rode 11 winners from 250 rides in 2004. But his career suffered a further setback when he was arrested at his North Yorkshire home on March 8, 2005, his 32nd birthday, in connection with the City of London Police investigation into alleged race-fixing. He was released without charge from the inquiry later that year.
Having already rebuilt his career once following his accident, Gyles struggled to do so again. Most trainers did not want to know him. Geoff Oldroyd and David Thompson were among the few who stayed loyal. In 2005 he had 100 rides and only one winner, although his season was compromised by a troublesome shoulder.
Having already rebuilt his career once following his accident, Gyles struggled to do so again. Most trainers did not want to know him. Geoff Oldroyd and David Thompson were among the few who stayed loyal. In 2005 he had 100 rides and only one winner, although his season was compromised by a troublesome shoulder.
In 2006 he rode three winners from 104 mounts and had what proved to be his last ride on Just Jasmin for David Evans at Southwell on October 12, finishing tenth of twelve. The following month he decided to quit the saddle and went to Dubai for a holiday, saying that it had been a waste of time since his arrest and that it was impossible to make a living from winning two banded races and a claimer and having just over 100 rides.
In 2006 he rode three winners from 104 mounts and had what proved to be his last ride on Just Jasmin for David Evans at Southwell on October 12, finishing tenth of twelve. The following month he decided to quit the saddle and went to Dubai for a holiday, saying that it had been a waste of time since his arrest and that it was impossible to make a living from winning two banded races and a claimer and having just over 100 rides.
In May 2007 he launched his own private racing advisory service, run from two bases in England and Dubai.
In May 2007 he launched his own private racing advisory service, run from two bases in England and Dubai.