Antony Richard (Tony) Procter was born on February 26, 1971, the son of jockey Brian Procter, who spent most of his career as work rider and second jockey to Dick Hern. Father and son rode against each other while Tony was an apprentice with David Elsworth.
He rode his first winner on just his third ride in public, aboard the popular 12-year-old veteran Ferryman in the Blackmantle Handicap at Brighton on June 30, 1988.
Tony was soon mixing riding on the Flat and over jumps, having recorded his first success over hurdles on David Elsworth’s Oneupmanship at Chepstow on February 1, 1992. He registered his most important victory on Muse in the 1993 New Year’s Day Hurdle at Windsor.
But by far the most famous horse Tony rode during his career was Persian Punch, partnering him to a 20-1 shock victory in the horse’s first race, a Windsor maiden on May 13, 1996
Riding as a dual-purpose jockey, he was champion jockey in Jersey three years running from 2005 to 2007.
In January 2008 Tony left David Elsworth and crossed Newmarket to join Henry Cecil’s stable, while continuing to hold a dual-purpose licence. Following Cecil’s death, he joined fellow Newmarket trainer John Gosden and is now his travelling head lad.