Ray Pulford
1899 -1969
1899 -1969
National Hunt jockey Raymond Harry Pulford was born on September 6, 1899. He rode a total of 43 winners over jumps between 1921 and 1928.
National Hunt jockey Raymond Harry Pulford was born on September 6, 1899. He rode a total of 43 winners over jumps between 1921 and 1928.
He started out as an amateur and made an inauspicious start to race-riding, trailing home last of eight on Pendragon in the Seabrook Selling Hurdle at Folkestone on December 6, 1920. He achieved his first success under NH rules on Master Cecil II in the Farmers’ Chase at Lingfield’s United Hunts meeting on May 2, 1921.
He started out as an amateur and made an inauspicious start to race-riding, trailing home last of eight on Pendragon in the Seabrook Selling Hurdle at Folkestone on December 6, 1920. He achieved his first success under NH rules on Master Cecil II in the Farmers’ Chase at Lingfield’s United Hunts meeting on May 2, 1921.
In 1922 he had what was to be his sole Grand National mount, falling at Becher’s first time round on 66-1 chance St Bernard.
In 1922 he had what was to be his sole Grand National mount, falling at Becher’s first time round on 66-1 chance St Bernard.
Ray rode nine winners in 1925, placing him fourth in that year’s amateur riders’ table. He turned professional in November 1926 and went on enjoy his most successful season in that 1926/27 campaign with ten victories. They included his only win at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting in the 1927 renewal of the Swindon Selling Chase on Tara King.
Ray rode nine winners in 1925, placing him fourth in that year’s amateur riders’ table. He turned professional in November 1926 and went on enjoy his most successful season in that 1926/27 campaign with ten victories. They included his only win at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting in the 1927 renewal of the Swindon Selling Chase on Tara King.
At Aintree in March 1928, he made the frame in two of the races over the Grand National fences, finishing third in the Champion Chase on Hackdale and fourth (albeit last of four finishers) in the Stanley Chase on Mary Court.
At Aintree in March 1928, he made the frame in two of the races over the Grand National fences, finishing third in the Champion Chase on Hackdale and fourth (albeit last of four finishers) in the Stanley Chase on Mary Court.
Ray rode his last winner on Mirathorn in the Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newton Abbot on September 19, 1928. He had his final ride in public on Duck Boy, finishing unplaced in the Sudbury Selling Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter on April 16, 1929. He then began training on a small scale, based at Lewes, where he achieved a measure of success during the 1930s.
Ray rode his last winner on Mirathorn in the Selling Handicap Hurdle at Newton Abbot on September 19, 1928. He had his final ride in public on Duck Boy, finishing unplaced in the Sudbury Selling Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter on April 16, 1929. He then began training on a small scale, based at Lewes, where he achieved a measure of success during the 1930s.
Ray Pulford died on August 25, 1969, aged 69.
Ray Pulford died on August 25, 1969, aged 69.
Ray's first win: Lingfield, May 2, 1921.
Ray's first win: Lingfield, May 2, 1921.