Trevor Pink
1931 - 1965
1931 - 1965
Trevor Pink, aged 34, died in hospital on 14 February 1965, from injuries sustained in a fall from Balus Boy in the 3.30 race at Taunton the previous afternoon. Though not seriously injured in the initial fall, Trevor was unlucky in that a following horse clipped his head with a hoof as it came over the fence.
Trevor Pink, aged 34, died in hospital on 14 February 1965, from injuries sustained in a fall from Balus Boy in the 3.30 race at Taunton the previous afternoon. Though not seriously injured in the initial fall, Trevor was unlucky in that a following horse clipped his head with a hoof as it came over the fence.
Trevor still managed to walk away and, when the ambulance arrived, he needed persuading to get in and go to hospital. It was on his arrival that the seriousness of his injury was fully realised. He had suffered concussion with internal bleeding of the skull. He died early next morning.
Trevor still managed to walk away and, when the ambulance arrived, he needed persuading to get in and go to hospital. It was on his arrival that the seriousness of his injury was fully realised. He had suffered concussion with internal bleeding of the skull. He died early next morning.
Trevor was born in 1931 in Bishops Waltham, Hampshire. He spent his early life living in and around Bishops Waltham as well as living for a short time in Fordingbridge with his uncle.
Trevor was born in 1931 in Bishops Waltham, Hampshire. He spent his early life living in and around Bishops Waltham as well as living for a short time in Fordingbridge with his uncle.
His father served in the Royal Flying Corps and was later employed as Chief Engineer on the flying boats when based at Poole Harbour, later transferring to Southampton. His parents also ran the Wheatsheaf Inn at Shedfield near Botley for a while, just before WW2.
His father served in the Royal Flying Corps and was later employed as Chief Engineer on the flying boats when based at Poole Harbour, later transferring to Southampton. His parents also ran the Wheatsheaf Inn at Shedfield near Botley for a while, just before WW2.
Trevor was associated with Bill Wightman’s stable throughout his racing career. He had his first ride on Cadenabbia, owned and trained by Wightman, finishing unplaced in the Powick Four-Year-Old Selling Hurdle at Worcester on 5 March 1951. He had at least two rides the following season but then relinquished his licence.
Trevor was associated with Bill Wightman’s stable throughout his racing career. He had his first ride on Cadenabbia, owned and trained by Wightman, finishing unplaced in the Powick Four-Year-Old Selling Hurdle at Worcester on 5 March 1951. He had at least two rides the following season but then relinquished his licence.
A few years after Trevor finished his National Service, he moved to Parkstone in Poole, Dorset, to live again with his uncle who had moved there from Fordingbridge.
A few years after Trevor finished his National Service, he moved to Parkstone in Poole, Dorset, to live again with his uncle who had moved there from Fordingbridge.
His cousin, who was working at the RMYC in Sandbanks, introduced him to Royce Turner (Managing Director of British Seagull outboard engines and brother of socialite Norah Royce Turner, later Lady Docker) who was looking for a handyman at his home ‘Four Winds’ on Banks Road in Sandbanks.
His cousin, who was working at the RMYC in Sandbanks, introduced him to Royce Turner (Managing Director of British Seagull outboard engines and brother of socialite Norah Royce Turner, later Lady Docker) who was looking for a handyman at his home ‘Four Winds’ on Banks Road in Sandbanks.
During his time as an apprentice for Bill Wightman and, while living at Poole, Trevor would ride horses for trainer Mrs Louise Dingwall, who was based in Panorama Road in Sandbanks.
During his time as an apprentice for Bill Wightman and, while living at Poole, Trevor would ride horses for trainer Mrs Louise Dingwall, who was based in Panorama Road in Sandbanks.
He eventually returned to Bill Wightman and lived in a cottage on Ower Farm. It was on a horse trained by Wightman that Trevor made his comeback when partnering Hilarion in the Tangmere Hurdle at Fontwell Park on Wednesday, 30 September, 1959. He gained his first success on Phoenix Park, trained by Wightman, in the Effingham Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on 15 December 1960.
He eventually returned to Bill Wightman and lived in a cottage on Ower Farm. It was on a horse trained by Wightman that Trevor made his comeback when partnering Hilarion in the Tangmere Hurdle at Fontwell Park on Wednesday, 30 September, 1959. He gained his first success on Phoenix Park, trained by Wightman, in the Effingham Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park on 15 December 1960.
Trevor won four races on hurdler Roxburgh between March 1961 and November 1962, including the Rank Challenge Cup at Fontwell Park. He finished third on Badbury Rings in the Becher Chase at Liverpool on 2 November, 1963, then won on him at Kempton Park next time out.
Trevor won four races on hurdler Roxburgh between March 1961 and November 1962, including the Rank Challenge Cup at Fontwell Park. He finished third on Badbury Rings in the Becher Chase at Liverpool on 2 November, 1963, then won on him at Kempton Park next time out.
He rode what was to be his last winner on Nasserling in the Royal Lodge Handicap Chase at Windsor on November 23, 1963, beating the Queen Mother’s popular chaser Gay Record, the mount of Gene Kelly, by a neck.
He rode what was to be his last winner on Nasserling in the Royal Lodge Handicap Chase at Windsor on November 23, 1963, beating the Queen Mother’s popular chaser Gay Record, the mount of Gene Kelly, by a neck.
Alan Flood was originally booked to ride Balus Boy in the Staple Fitzpaine Novices’ Chase on that fateful day at Taunton, 13 February 1965, but he took a fall in the first race from Girllanda and was stood down. Trevor, who had not ridden a winner so far that season, gratefully picked up the spare ride. It was a decision that cost him his life, with Balus Boy being one of six fallers in the race.
Alan Flood was originally booked to ride Balus Boy in the Staple Fitzpaine Novices’ Chase on that fateful day at Taunton, 13 February 1965, but he took a fall in the first race from Girllanda and was stood down. Trevor, who had not ridden a winner so far that season, gratefully picked up the spare ride. It was a decision that cost him his life, with Balus Boy being one of six fallers in the race.
Trevor was married to Joan and had a daughter, Christine, by his first wife, Vera.
Trevor was married to Joan and had a daughter, Christine, by his first wife, Vera.
He is buried at St Mary’s Church, Upham, Hampshire. St Mary’s lies just a short distance from Trevor’s (then) home at Balmore House, Upham, Hampshire, the stables of trainer Bill Wightman, who trained Halloween to win two King George VI Chases.
He is buried at St Mary’s Church, Upham, Hampshire. St Mary’s lies just a short distance from Trevor’s (then) home at Balmore House, Upham, Hampshire, the stables of trainer Bill Wightman, who trained Halloween to win two King George VI Chases.
Wightman reflected: “Chaps like him are of tremendous value to trainers. They are not fashionable jockeys, but they are invaluable assistance in stables.”
Wightman reflected: “Chaps like him are of tremendous value to trainers. They are not fashionable jockeys, but they are invaluable assistance in stables.”
Bill Wightman died on Monday, 30 November, 2009, aged 95
Bill Wightman died on Monday, 30 November, 2009, aged 95
Trevor Pink’s racing record is as follows:
Trevor Pink’s racing record is as follows:
1960/61 5 winners from 35 rides
1960/61 5 winners from 35 rides
1961/62 1 winner from 57 rides
1961/62 1 winner from 57 rides
1962/63 3 winners from 39 rides
1962/63 3 winners from 39 rides
1963/64 4 winners from 78 rides
1963/64 4 winners from 78 rides
1964/65 No winners
1964/65 No winners
His 13 winners were:
His 13 winners were:
1. Phoenix Park, Sandown Park, 15 December 1960
1. Phoenix Park, Sandown Park, 15 December 1960
2. Sarah’s Boy, Worcester, 6 March 1961
2. Sarah’s Boy, Worcester, 6 March 1961
3. Roxburgh, Lingfield Park, 16 March 1961
3. Roxburgh, Lingfield Park, 16 March 1961
4. Piper, Wincanton, 20 April 1961
4. Piper, Wincanton, 20 April 1961
5. Piper, Fontwell Park, 26 April 1961
5. Piper, Fontwell Park, 26 April 1961
6. Roxburgh, Windsor, 2 December 1961
6. Roxburgh, Windsor, 2 December 1961
7. Roxburgh, Fontwell Park, 11 September 1962
7. Roxburgh, Fontwell Park, 11 September 1962
8. Roxburgh, Fontwell Park, 7 November 1962
8. Roxburgh, Fontwell Park, 7 November 1962
9. Valley Rock, Fontwell Park, 26 April 1963
9. Valley Rock, Fontwell Park, 26 April 1963
10. Nasserling, Wincanton, 10 October 1963
10. Nasserling, Wincanton, 10 October 1963
11. Fair Cobbler, Worcester, 30 October 1963
11. Fair Cobbler, Worcester, 30 October 1963
12. Badbury Rings, Kempton Park, 20 November 1963
12. Badbury Rings, Kempton Park, 20 November 1963
13. Nasserling, Windsor, 23 November 1963
13. Nasserling, Windsor, 23 November 1963
