Richard Pitman
The son of an engineer, Richard Thomas Pitman was born at Bishop's Cleeve by Cheltenham racecourse, on January 21, 1943, and became apprenticed to Phil Doherty (1959) and Major G Champneys.
The son of an engineer, Richard Thomas Pitman was born at Bishop's Cleeve by Cheltenham racecourse, on January 21, 1943, and became apprenticed to Phil Doherty (1959) and Major G Champneys.
He made his debut at Hereford in September 1961 riding Rossagio.
He made his debut at Hereford in September 1961 riding Rossagio.
His first winner came some three years later: Indian Spice at Fontwell on December 30, 1964.
His first winner came some three years later: Indian Spice at Fontwell on December 30, 1964.
Richard's last ride was St Swithin, unplaced, at Stratford on May 31, 1975. He then worked for the BBC and various racing channels.
Richard's last ride was St Swithin, unplaced, at Stratford on May 31, 1975. He then worked for the BBC and various racing channels.
Richard, who is 5ft 5ins tall, rode a number of good winners, but is probably best remembered for just getting beaten on Crisp in Red Rum's 1973 Grand National.
Richard, who is 5ft 5ins tall, rode a number of good winners, but is probably best remembered for just getting beaten on Crisp in Red Rum's 1973 Grand National.
His best wins included the 1974 Champion Hurdle on Lanzarote: 1970 Whitbread on Royal Toss: 1972 Hennessy on Charlie Potheen: the 1972 Arkle on Pendil and the 1975 Heinz Chase on Floating Pound.
His best wins included the 1974 Champion Hurdle on Lanzarote: 1970 Whitbread on Royal Toss: 1972 Hennessy on Charlie Potheen: the 1972 Arkle on Pendil and the 1975 Heinz Chase on Floating Pound.
He rode a total of 427 winners.
He rode a total of 427 winners.
Richard's sister married jockey Paddy Cowley: his first wife, Jenny, trained two Grand National winners & two Cheltenham Gold Cup winners. His son, Mark, won the 1991 Cheltenham Gold Cup and came second in the National.
Richard's sister married jockey Paddy Cowley: his first wife, Jenny, trained two Grand National winners & two Cheltenham Gold Cup winners. His son, Mark, won the 1991 Cheltenham Gold Cup and came second in the National.
Champion Hurdle winner: Lanzarote (1974)
Champion Hurdle winner: Lanzarote (1974)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1966: Imperial Cup – Royal Sanction
1966: Imperial Cup – Royal Sanction
1970: Great Yorkshire Chase – Freddie Boy
1970: Great Yorkshire Chase – Freddie Boy
1970: Whitbread Gold Cup – Royal Toss
1970: Whitbread Gold Cup – Royal Toss
1972: Coventry Pattern Handicap Chase – Crisp
1972: Coventry Pattern Handicap Chase – Crisp
1972: Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase – Pendil
1972: Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase – Pendil
1972: Cathcart Challenge Cup Chase – Soloning
1972: Cathcart Challenge Cup Chase – Soloning
1972: Black & White Whisky Gold Cup – Pendil
1972: Black & White Whisky Gold Cup – Pendil
1972: Hennessy Gold Cup – Charlie Potheen
1972: Hennessy Gold Cup – Charlie Potheen
1972: S.G.B. Handicap Chase – Soloning
1972: S.G.B. Handicap Chase – Soloning
1972: Benson and Hedges Handicap Chase – Pendil
1972: Benson and Hedges Handicap Chase – Pendil
1972: King George VI Chase – Pendil
1972: King George VI Chase – Pendil
1973: Yellow Pages Pattern Handicap Chase – Pendil
1973: Yellow Pages Pattern Handicap Chase – Pendil
1973: Imperial Cup – Lanzarote
1973: Imperial Cup – Lanzarote
1973: Totalisator Champion Novices’ Chase – Killiney
1973: Totalisator Champion Novices’ Chase – Killiney
1973: Black & White Whisky Gold Cup – Bula
1973: Black & White Whisky Gold Cup – Bula
1973: Massey-Ferguson Gold Cup – Pendil
1973: Massey-Ferguson Gold Cup – Pendil
1973: Long Walk Hurdle – Soloning
1973: Long Walk Hurdle – Soloning
1973: King George VI Chase – Pendil
1973: King George VI Chase – Pendil
1974: Yellow Pages Pattern Handicap Chase – Pendil
1974: Yellow Pages Pattern Handicap Chase – Pendil
1974: Cathcart Challenge Cup Chase – Soothsayer
1974: Cathcart Challenge Cup Chase – Soothsayer
1974: Kirk and Kirk Hurdle – Lanzarote
1974: Kirk and Kirk Hurdle – Lanzarote
1975: Heinz Novices’ Chase – Floating Pound
1975: Heinz Novices’ Chase – Floating Pound