Nicky Pinch
1906 - 1984
1906 - 1984
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Born on October 29, 1906, Stanley Frederick Pinch, better known as Nicky Pinch, was a south-west based jumps jockey who rode from just before World War II until 1964. He operated almost exclusively at the Devon and Somerset tracks, which in days past comprised not just Newton Abbot, Exeter, Taunton and Wincanton but also Buckfastleigh, Torquay and Totnes. Nicky won races at all of those venues during a long career in the saddle that yielded a total of 25 winners.
Born on October 29, 1906, Stanley Frederick Pinch, better known as Nicky Pinch, was a south-west based jumps jockey who rode from just before World War II until 1964. He operated almost exclusively at the Devon and Somerset tracks, which in days past comprised not just Newton Abbot, Exeter, Taunton and Wincanton but also Buckfastleigh, Torquay and Totnes. Nicky won races at all of those venues during a long career in the saddle that yielded a total of 25 winners.
That career got off to a controversial start with the disqualification of his first ‘winner’ at Torquay on Easter Monday, March 29, 1937. Riding a horse named Pat O’Shaughnessy, Nicky passed the post two lengths ahead of his nearest rival Worthy Down. However, the runner-up’s owner, Major R T Stanyforth, lodged an objection to the winner on the grounds that his owner-trainer, Cornish farmer Alfred ‘Fred’ Renfree (whose son Jim would become a successful NH jockey in the 1950s and 60s), “trains and runs horses under unrecognised rules and that the rider has ridden under unrecognised rules”. The objection was upheld and Pat O’Shaughnessy was disqualified. Interestingly, Nicky had finished second on the same horse at Taunton the previous month, yet no such objection had been lodged.
That career got off to a controversial start with the disqualification of his first ‘winner’ at Torquay on Easter Monday, March 29, 1937. Riding a horse named Pat O’Shaughnessy, Nicky passed the post two lengths ahead of his nearest rival Worthy Down. However, the runner-up’s owner, Major R T Stanyforth, lodged an objection to the winner on the grounds that his owner-trainer, Cornish farmer Alfred ‘Fred’ Renfree (whose son Jim would become a successful NH jockey in the 1950s and 60s), “trains and runs horses under unrecognised rules and that the rider has ridden under unrecognised rules”. The objection was upheld and Pat O’Shaughnessy was disqualified. Interestingly, Nicky had finished second on the same horse at Taunton the previous month, yet no such objection had been lodged.
Five months later, on Wednesday, August 25, 1937, Nicky rode Pat O’Shaughnessy to victory in the Powderham Handicap Hurdle, worth £63, at Devon & Exeter. Again there was an objection to the winner on the grounds that the rider and horse had competed at unrecognised meetings. This time, however, the objection was overruled. Nicky Pinch had officially ridden his first winner. Having not achieved that initial success until the somewhat advanced age of 30, it does appear likely that there was some credence in the objection that he had been taking part in races under ‘unrecognised rules’.
Five months later, on Wednesday, August 25, 1937, Nicky rode Pat O’Shaughnessy to victory in the Powderham Handicap Hurdle, worth £63, at Devon & Exeter. Again there was an objection to the winner on the grounds that the rider and horse had competed at unrecognised meetings. This time, however, the objection was overruled. Nicky Pinch had officially ridden his first winner. Having not achieved that initial success until the somewhat advanced age of 30, it does appear likely that there was some credence in the objection that he had been taking part in races under ‘unrecognised rules’.
Seven days later, Nicky and Pat O’Shaughnessy followed up by winning the Totnes Open Handicap Hurdle on the first day of the annual Totnes & Bridgetown fixture. The following day, the second day of the Totnes meeting, he won the Town Handicap Hurdle on Irish Lord, his third victory in eight days.
Seven days later, Nicky and Pat O’Shaughnessy followed up by winning the Totnes Open Handicap Hurdle on the first day of the annual Totnes & Bridgetown fixture. The following day, the second day of the Totnes meeting, he won the Town Handicap Hurdle on Irish Lord, his third victory in eight days.
Back at Torquay on Easter Monday, twelve months after the disqualification of his first ‘winner’, Nicky atoned for the disappointment by winning the West of England Handicap Chase on Fred Renfree’s Skrun Bridge. They followed up in a Newton Abbot selling chase the following month. Nicky could not have known but those five winners would be the most he would ever ride in a single season.
Back at Torquay on Easter Monday, twelve months after the disqualification of his first ‘winner’, Nicky atoned for the disappointment by winning the West of England Handicap Chase on Fred Renfree’s Skrun Bridge. They followed up in a Newton Abbot selling chase the following month. Nicky could not have known but those five winners would be the most he would ever ride in a single season.
The 1938/39 campaign started well enough with victory on Fred Renfree’s Brandy Boy at Taunton in September, the horse having been bought for 70 guineas after winning a Buckfastleigh selling chase the previous month, but that proved to be Nicky’s only winner of the season.
The 1938/39 campaign started well enough with victory on Fred Renfree’s Brandy Boy at Taunton in September, the horse having been bought for 70 guineas after winning a Buckfastleigh selling chase the previous month, but that proved to be Nicky’s only winner of the season.
When jump racing resumed after the war, Nicky was soon back in action. He scored his sole success of the 1945/46 campaign on Black Hawk at Taunton in March but then had to wait over twelve months for his next, on selling chaser Dwarf II at Newton Abbot on Easter Monday 1947.
When jump racing resumed after the war, Nicky was soon back in action. He scored his sole success of the 1945/46 campaign on Black Hawk at Taunton in March but then had to wait over twelve months for his next, on selling chaser Dwarf II at Newton Abbot on Easter Monday 1947.
Holiday time again proved his salvation in 1947/48, his two winners that season being gained at Wincanton’s two-day Christmas fixture and back at Newton Abbot on Easter Monday. He also had his only ride in the Grand National that season, aboard Alec Kilpatrick’s 100-1 outsider Le Daim. Nicky only rode Le Daim twice, when finishing second to Fred Rimell’s classy chaser Coloured School Boy in the Sandown Open Handicap Chase at the Grand Military Meeting, then eight days later when falling in the 1948 Grand National.
Holiday time again proved his salvation in 1947/48, his two winners that season being gained at Wincanton’s two-day Christmas fixture and back at Newton Abbot on Easter Monday. He also had his only ride in the Grand National that season, aboard Alec Kilpatrick’s 100-1 outsider Le Daim. Nicky only rode Le Daim twice, when finishing second to Fred Rimell’s classy chaser Coloured School Boy in the Sandown Open Handicap Chase at the Grand Military Meeting, then eight days later when falling in the 1948 Grand National.
The next three seasons yielded two winners apiece. Both of his successes for the 1950/51 campaign came courtesy of the versatile Ron’s Hope, who won chases over 3¼ miles and 2 miles at successive Wincanton fixtures five days apart over the Christmas period. Bidding for a Wincanton hat-trick at the course’s next meeting in February, Ron’s Hope finished second to Tantivy, the mount of Michael Scudamore, in the oddly-named Fallible Chase (see illustration).
The next three seasons yielded two winners apiece. Both of his successes for the 1950/51 campaign came courtesy of the versatile Ron’s Hope, who won chases over 3¼ miles and 2 miles at successive Wincanton fixtures five days apart over the Christmas period. Bidding for a Wincanton hat-trick at the course’s next meeting in February, Ron’s Hope finished second to Tantivy, the mount of Michael Scudamore, in the oddly-named Fallible Chase (see illustration).
The following years were lean ones: no winners in 1951/52, two the next, none in 53/54, just one the following season. He made a good start to 1955/56 with three wins within the opening five weeks, all courtesy of Collumpton-based owner-trainer Gerald Cottrell’s selling hurdler/chaser Lothair, who won twice at Newton Abbot and once at Buckfastleigh.
The following years were lean ones: no winners in 1951/52, two the next, none in 53/54, just one the following season. He made a good start to 1955/56 with three wins within the opening five weeks, all courtesy of Collumpton-based owner-trainer Gerald Cottrell’s selling hurdler/chaser Lothair, who won twice at Newton Abbot and once at Buckfastleigh.
Nicky didn’t ride a winner during the 1956/57 season but by then he had taken out a trainer’s licence, based at a yard near Chard, Somerset, and he saddled his first winner when Peter Of Crosswell, ridden by claimer George Withycombe, landed a Taunton novices’ handicap hurdle on March 23, 1957.
Nicky didn’t ride a winner during the 1956/57 season but by then he had taken out a trainer’s licence, based at a yard near Chard, Somerset, and he saddled his first winner when Peter Of Crosswell, ridden by claimer George Withycombe, landed a Taunton novices’ handicap hurdle on March 23, 1957.
The next three seasons produced just a single riding success, on selling hurdler Royal Cruise, who he also trained, on the Saturday of Newton Abbot’s 1958 Easter fixture.
The next three seasons produced just a single riding success, on selling hurdler Royal Cruise, who he also trained, on the Saturday of Newton Abbot’s 1958 Easter fixture.
His string consisted of moderate performers and never numbered more than half a dozen. Royal Cruise became the yard’s flag bearer. After a couple of blank seasons he won a pair of Newton Abbot selling hurdles at the start of the 1960/61 season. They were the last successes of Nicky’s riding career, although he was to continue as a jockey for almost four more years.
His string consisted of moderate performers and never numbered more than half a dozen. Royal Cruise became the yard’s flag bearer. After a couple of blank seasons he won a pair of Newton Abbot selling hurdles at the start of the 1960/61 season. They were the last successes of Nicky’s riding career, although he was to continue as a jockey for almost four more years.
Aged 57, he had his final two rides at Devon & Exeter on Saturday, May 16, 1964, firstly on novice hurdler Sun Orchid, who finished a respectable fifth of 19, and then on old favourite Royal Cruise, pulled up in the Whitsuntide Selling Handicap Hurdle. He relinquished his trainer’s licence the following year.
Aged 57, he had his final two rides at Devon & Exeter on Saturday, May 16, 1964, firstly on novice hurdler Sun Orchid, who finished a respectable fifth of 19, and then on old favourite Royal Cruise, pulled up in the Whitsuntide Selling Handicap Hurdle. He relinquished his trainer’s licence the following year.
Nicky Pinch died in July 1984, aged 77.
Nicky Pinch died in July 1984, aged 77.
I recall the late Toby Balding telling me that Nicky Pinch had once been his childhood hero. One day in the late 1940s Toby and his brother Ian were stood by the last fence at Newton Abbot when Nicky took a crashing fall. Rising to his feet, he came out with a stream of rustic expletives. Toby and Ian were suitably impressed and for months afterwards implored their father, trainer Gerald Balding, to put Nicky Pinch up on some of his horses. He never did but Nicky clearly made an impression on those two young lads, both of whom were destined to become top-class trainers in their respective spheres.
I recall the late Toby Balding telling me that Nicky Pinch had once been his childhood hero. One day in the late 1940s Toby and his brother Ian were stood by the last fence at Newton Abbot when Nicky took a crashing fall. Rising to his feet, he came out with a stream of rustic expletives. Toby and Ian were suitably impressed and for months afterwards implored their father, trainer Gerald Balding, to put Nicky Pinch up on some of his horses. He never did but Nicky clearly made an impression on those two young lads, both of whom were destined to become top-class trainers in their respective spheres.
One year, Fred Rimell was riding Poor Flame in the National Hunt Chase. The horse was jumping badly to the right on the left-hand track and in his efforts to straighten him, Fred lost his whip. When he saw that fellow rider Nicky Pinch had no chance on his mount, Fred grabbed the whip from his hand, shouting 'You won't need that, will you?' He then rode a powerful finish to win by a head.
One year, Fred Rimell was riding Poor Flame in the National Hunt Chase. The horse was jumping badly to the right on the left-hand track and in his efforts to straighten him, Fred lost his whip. When he saw that fellow rider Nicky Pinch had no chance on his mount, Fred grabbed the whip from his hand, shouting 'You won't need that, will you?' He then rode a powerful finish to win by a head.
Back in the weighing room he gave Nicky £5 as consolation - which wasn't bad as jockeys were paid just £3 a ride, that's less than a pound a mile for risking life and limb.
Back in the weighing room he gave Nicky £5 as consolation - which wasn't bad as jockeys were paid just £3 a ride, that's less than a pound a mile for risking life and limb.
Nicky used to ride for a Mr Doney of Amberley, father of John Doney, the course builder.
Nicky used to ride for a Mr Doney of Amberley, father of John Doney, the course builder.
Nicky once brought a pony down to Fred Foster's yard in Etwall for a girl called Anne Morley to try.
Nicky once brought a pony down to Fred Foster's yard in Etwall for a girl called Anne Morley to try.
The pony, called Dandy, was one of Doney's. When Nicky was showing him off, he jumped a triple bar from the wrong side.
The pony, called Dandy, was one of Doney's. When Nicky was showing him off, he jumped a triple bar from the wrong side.
Nicky Pinch’s winners were, in chronological order:
Nicky Pinch’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Pat O’Shaughnessy, Devon & Exeter, August 25, 1937
1. Pat O’Shaughnessy, Devon & Exeter, August 25, 1937
2. Pat O’Shaughnessy, Totnes, September 1, 1937
2. Pat O’Shaughnessy, Totnes, September 1, 1937
3. Irish Lord, Totnes, September 2, 1937
3. Irish Lord, Totnes, September 2, 1937
4. Skrun Bridge, Torquay, April 18, 1938
4. Skrun Bridge, Torquay, April 18, 1938
5. Skrun Bridge, Newton Abbot, May 11, 1938
5. Skrun Bridge, Newton Abbot, May 11, 1938
6. Brandy Boy, Taunton, September 22, 1938
6. Brandy Boy, Taunton, September 22, 1938
7. Black Hawk, Taunton, March 9, 1946
7. Black Hawk, Taunton, March 9, 1946
8. Dwarf II, Newton Abbot, April 7, 1947
8. Dwarf II, Newton Abbot, April 7, 1947
9. Red Slipper, Wincanton, December 27, 1947
9. Red Slipper, Wincanton, December 27, 1947
10. Crisel, Newton Abbot, March 29, 1948
10. Crisel, Newton Abbot, March 29, 1948
11. Vindicator, Plumpton, December 15, 1948
11. Vindicator, Plumpton, December 15, 1948
12. Urambo, Taunton, May 7, 1949
12. Urambo, Taunton, May 7, 1949
13. Vindicator, Taunton, September 24, 1949
13. Vindicator, Taunton, September 24, 1949
14. Royal Sun, Buckfastleigh, May 20, 1950
14. Royal Sun, Buckfastleigh, May 20, 1950
15. Ron’s Hope, Wincanton, December 21, 1950
15. Ron’s Hope, Wincanton, December 21, 1950
16. Ron’s Hope, Wincanton, December 26, 1950
16. Ron’s Hope, Wincanton, December 26, 1950
17. Underbidder, Taunton, October 18, 1952
17. Underbidder, Taunton, October 18, 1952
18. Miss Finny, Hurst Park, March 6, 1953
18. Miss Finny, Hurst Park, March 6, 1953
19. Lord Irish, Newton Abbot, December 28, 1954
19. Lord Irish, Newton Abbot, December 28, 1954
20. Lothair, Newton Abbot, August 1, 1955
20. Lothair, Newton Abbot, August 1, 1955
21. Lothair, Buckfastleigh, August 27, 1955
21. Lothair, Buckfastleigh, August 27, 1955
22. Lothair, Newton Abbot, September 2, 1955
22. Lothair, Newton Abbot, September 2, 1955
23. Royal Cruise, Newton Abbot, April 5, 1958
23. Royal Cruise, Newton Abbot, April 5, 1958
24. Royal Cruise, Newton Abbot, August 31, 1960
24. Royal Cruise, Newton Abbot, August 31, 1960
25. Royal Cruise, Newton Abbot, September 23, 1960
25. Royal Cruise, Newton Abbot, September 23, 1960
