Reginald Pither

Reginald Pither

1918-2003

Article by Alan Trout

Despite winning on his first ride under National Hunt rules and beating into second place a jockey who had already been crowned champion three times, Reginal Arthur Pither made little impact on the racing scene and did not add to his solitary success. 

Born in 1918, his one win came at Leicester on December 3, 1935, when Angel Pavement, owned by leading amateur rider Edward Paget and trained by John Cockton at Little Stukeley, near Huntingdon, took the Birstall Selling Handicap Chase, beating Surtax, the mount of Gerry Wilson, by a length and a quarter. 

Eight-year-old Angel Pavement was usually partnered by his owner, who had won two races at the same course the previous afternoon. The horse was sold at the post-race auction and Reginald never rode him again. 

He came close to recording a second win when his mount Flashing Eye was beaten a head by Firework, ridden by Grand National-winning jockey Tim Hamey, in the Walton Selling Handicap Chase at Hurst Park on January 14, 1937, but otherwise his opportunities were few and far between.

He did, however, finish second on his final ride when Miss Beech was beaten by Irish Duke, the mount of Jack Reeves, in the Cantley Selling Handicap Hurdle at Hethersett on Whit Monday, June 6, 1938.

Reginald Pither died in 2003.