Gerald Faulkner
Gerald Faulkner
1947-2026
1947-2026
To ride your first winner in a major race is something that very few jockeys achieve, but Gerald Faulkner did just that when winning the 1972 Midlands Grand National.
To ride your first winner in a major race is something that very few jockeys achieve, but Gerald Faulkner did just that when winning the 1972 Midlands Grand National.
Gerald Faulkner was born in Ludlow, Shropshire on September 13, 1947. He enjoyed success in pony shows and gymkhanas as a child.
Gerald Faulkner was born in Ludlow, Shropshire on September 13, 1947. He enjoyed success in pony shows and gymkhanas as a child.
He joined Arthur Stephenson’s Leasingthorne, Bishop Auckland stable and had only held a jockey’s licence for four months when riding his first winner on Proud Percy in the 4m 2f Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter on April 29, 1972, despite losing an iron seven fences from home. Brushing off that minor inconvenience, Gerald was able to ease Proud Percy down on the run-in and still had four lengths to spare from runner-up Esban, with The Pantheon a further 20 lengths back in third.
He joined Arthur Stephenson’s Leasingthorne, Bishop Auckland stable and had only held a jockey’s licence for four months when riding his first winner on Proud Percy in the 4m 2f Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter on April 29, 1972, despite losing an iron seven fences from home. Brushing off that minor inconvenience, Gerald was able to ease Proud Percy down on the run-in and still had four lengths to spare from runner-up Esban, with The Pantheon a further 20 lengths back in third.
He rode 11 winners during the 1975/76 season. They included a double on two of Arthur Stephenson’s horses at Kelso on March 6, 1976, namely Fly Bye in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers’ Cup Handicap Chase, and Simalliton in the Yetholm Novices’ Chase.
He rode 11 winners during the 1975/76 season. They included a double on two of Arthur Stephenson’s horses at Kelso on March 6, 1976, namely Fly Bye in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers’ Cup Handicap Chase, and Simalliton in the Yetholm Novices’ Chase.
He rode five winners the following season, all of them for Arthur Stephenson, including a Whit Monday double at Wetherby on handicap chaser Winter Chimes and novice hurdler Cask And Glass.
He rode five winners the following season, all of them for Arthur Stephenson, including a Whit Monday double at Wetherby on handicap chaser Winter Chimes and novice hurdler Cask And Glass.
He then enjoyed his most successful campaign in 1977/78, recording a total of 21 wins. They included five on The Fencer during the first half of the season, culminating in the Limestone Edward Handicap Chase at Market Rasen in December.
He then enjoyed his most successful campaign in 1977/78, recording a total of 21 wins. They included five on The Fencer during the first half of the season, culminating in the Limestone Edward Handicap Chase at Market Rasen in December.
His last winning season was in 1978/79 when he again rode five winners. Four of them were in the early part of the season, again on Stephenson-trained horses. His fifth, and final, victory came on Oakley Cross in the Foxton Novices’ Handicap Chase at Sedgefield on May 25, 1979.
His last winning season was in 1978/79 when he again rode five winners. Four of them were in the early part of the season, again on Stephenson-trained horses. His fifth, and final, victory came on Oakley Cross in the Foxton Novices’ Handicap Chase at Sedgefield on May 25, 1979.
The best horse he rode for Stephenson was Supermaster, whose 34 wins included the trainer’s landmark 1,000th triumph.
The best horse he rode for Stephenson was Supermaster, whose 34 wins included the trainer’s landmark 1,000th triumph.
Having retired from riding, he went on to become an HGV driver.
Having retired from riding, he went on to become an HGV driver.
Aged 78, Gerald passed away on the night of Tuesday 2nd June 2026 at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough. He had a heart attack earlier that day and died very peacefully in a quiet room at around 10pm, holding his wife Robina's hand.
Aged 78, Gerald passed away on the night of Tuesday 2nd June 2026 at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough. He had a heart attack earlier that day and died very peacefully in a quiet room at around 10pm, holding his wife Robina's hand.