Anthony Davies
Anthony Davies was killed on Saturday September 15, 1962, when his mount Billy Buck fell at the first flight in the 2.15 race at Sedgefield. It was only his fourth ride over hurdles.
Anthony Davies was killed on Saturday September 15, 1962, when his mount Billy Buck fell at the first flight in the 2.15 race at Sedgefield. It was only his fourth ride over hurdles.
Anthony had begun his racing career on leaving school as an apprentice with Harry Blackshaw at Middleham. He took out a National Hunt jockey’s licence for the 1959/60 campaign and had a couple of rides over hurdles. In doing so, in accordance with the rules then in force, he was longer entitled to claim an apprentice allowance on the Flat and thus had to compete on level terms with full professional jockeys.
Anthony had begun his racing career on leaving school as an apprentice with Harry Blackshaw at Middleham. He took out a National Hunt jockey’s licence for the 1959/60 campaign and had a couple of rides over hurdles. In doing so, in accordance with the rules then in force, he was longer entitled to claim an apprentice allowance on the Flat and thus had to compete on level terms with full professional jockeys.
He joined Joe Carr at Hambleton and rode two winners for him on the Flat, the first of which was on Harwyncyl in the three-runner Castlemilk Maiden Plate for two-year-olds at Edinburgh on July 4, 1960.
He joined Joe Carr at Hambleton and rode two winners for him on the Flat, the first of which was on Harwyncyl in the three-runner Castlemilk Maiden Plate for two-year-olds at Edinburgh on July 4, 1960.
His other victory was gained on Zuchet in the Wallacetown Maiden Plate, also for two-year-olds, at Ayr on June 9, 1961.
His other victory was gained on Zuchet in the Wallacetown Maiden Plate, also for two-year-olds, at Ayr on June 9, 1961.
He then spent 18 months with trainer Percy Vasey at Wetherby. However, increasing weight resulted in him once again taking out a National Hunt jockey’s licence for the 1962/63 season.
He then spent 18 months with trainer Percy Vasey at Wetherby. However, increasing weight resulted in him once again taking out a National Hunt jockey’s licence for the 1962/63 season.
He finished second, beaten two lengths, on Billy Buck in a Southwell selling hurdle on Monday, September 10. Five days later, he made the fateful journey to Sedgefield to ride that same horse in the first race on the card, the Aycliffe Novices’ Hurdle.
He finished second, beaten two lengths, on Billy Buck in a Southwell selling hurdle on Monday, September 10. Five days later, he made the fateful journey to Sedgefield to ride that same horse in the first race on the card, the Aycliffe Novices’ Hurdle.
Billy Buck was fourth in the betting at 8-1, so held a good each-way chance, but he fell heavily at the first flight and Anthony suffered a fractured skull. Three other horses came down at the same obstacle but the other jockeys were unhurt.
Billy Buck was fourth in the betting at 8-1, so held a good each-way chance, but he fell heavily at the first flight and Anthony suffered a fractured skull. Three other horses came down at the same obstacle but the other jockeys were unhurt.
Anthony was aged 24 and unmarried. He lived in West Hartlepool with his parents and a brother and sister.
Anthony was aged 24 and unmarried. He lived in West Hartlepool with his parents and a brother and sister.
