David Evatt
Amateur rider David Brook Evatt, of Snuff Cottage, Forest Row, Sussex, was the son of Derek and Dorothy Evatt, who were both well-known in point-to-pointing circles.
Amateur rider David Brook Evatt, of Snuff Cottage, Forest Row, Sussex, was the son of Derek and Dorothy Evatt, who were both well-known in point-to-pointing circles.
Dorothy, under her maiden name of Merckel and also when married, rode around 25 winners pre-war and post-war, despite the limited opportunities then available to lady riders. She won the ladies’ race at the Surrey Union five times and the corresponding event at the Old Surrey & Burstow three times. She had her last ride in a race when over fifty. That was in April 1959, when finishing second on Jack O’Donoghue’s horse Duo in the adjacent hunts’ ladies’ race at the Chiddingfold and Leconfield.
Dorothy, under her maiden name of Merckel and also when married, rode around 25 winners pre-war and post-war, despite the limited opportunities then available to lady riders. She won the ladies’ race at the Surrey Union five times and the corresponding event at the Old Surrey & Burstow three times. She had her last ride in a race when over fifty. That was in April 1959, when finishing second on Jack O’Donoghue’s horse Duo in the adjacent hunts’ ladies’ race at the Chiddingfold and Leconfield.
Derek often provided the running commentaries on the races. On one occasion he had to carry on commentating while observing his wife being carried off on a stretcher after falling at a fence.
Derek often provided the running commentaries on the races. On one occasion he had to carry on commentating while observing his wife being carried off on a stretcher after falling at a fence.
Derek and Dorothy married in 1946. Their son David was born on November 28, 1947. He made a fairy-tale start to point-to-pointing in 1966, riding his first winner, Barsac, on his first ride in public at Tismans Park.
Derek and Dorothy married in 1946. Their son David was born on November 28, 1947. He made a fairy-tale start to point-to-pointing in 1966, riding his first winner, Barsac, on his first ride in public at Tismans Park.
His hunter chase debut was even more noteworthy when he winning on Braganza, at Lingfield Park on February 24, 1968, with the Tote paying a whopping 266-1.
His hunter chase debut was even more noteworthy when he winning on Braganza, at Lingfield Park on February 24, 1968, with the Tote paying a whopping 266-1.
Over the next ten years David won 21 point-to-points and 19 hunter chases, including the Clapper Challenge Cup at Plumpton on Laydoney on March 7, 1973.
Over the next ten years David won 21 point-to-points and 19 hunter chases, including the Clapper Challenge Cup at Plumpton on Laydoney on March 7, 1973.
He was also successful in non-hunter chase company, including winning an amateur riders’ handicap chase on the Queen Mother's Inch Arran at Folkestone on April 24, 1972. In addition, he managed a couple of winners in amateur riders’ Flat races, most notably the Royal Sussex Handicap Stakes at Goodwood aboard the John Benstead-trained Ginger Boy on August 21, 1968.
He was also successful in non-hunter chase company, including winning an amateur riders’ handicap chase on the Queen Mother's Inch Arran at Folkestone on April 24, 1972. In addition, he managed a couple of winners in amateur riders’ Flat races, most notably the Royal Sussex Handicap Stakes at Goodwood aboard the John Benstead-trained Ginger Boy on August 21, 1968.
An auctioneer and estate agent by profession, David's recreations outside of racing were hunting, shooting and cricket.
An auctioneer and estate agent by profession, David's recreations outside of racing were hunting, shooting and cricket.
