Bruce Dowling
Imagine a young amateur, having their first ride under National Hunt rules, winning a televised race at Cheltenham on a 33/1 shot, beating John Francome in a photo finish. It sounds unlikely, the stuff of dreams, but that’s what happened to Bruce Dowling on Mackeson Gold Cup day in 1984.
Imagine a young amateur, having their first ride under National Hunt rules, winning a televised race at Cheltenham on a 33/1 shot, beating John Francome in a photo finish. It sounds unlikely, the stuff of dreams, but that’s what happened to Bruce Dowling on Mackeson Gold Cup day in 1984.
Bruce was born in London’s Islington on April 4, 1964. His family had no connection with racing. They moved to Herefordshire when Bruce was five, and it was only through riding his sister’s pony around some time later that his interest in horses was aroused. He began riding out for local trainer John Edwards when he was 14 and had his first ride in a point-to-point four years later on his father’s hunter. As interest grew and he looked around for a better horse to ride, his father bought Lay The Trump, who proved a real bargain by winning eight races.
Bruce was born in London’s Islington on April 4, 1964. His family had no connection with racing. They moved to Herefordshire when Bruce was five, and it was only through riding his sister’s pony around some time later that his interest in horses was aroused. He began riding out for local trainer John Edwards when he was 14 and had his first ride in a point-to-point four years later on his father’s hunter. As interest grew and he looked around for a better horse to ride, his father bought Lay The Trump, who proved a real bargain by winning eight races.
By that time Bruce had started an estate agency course at college, but all he wanted to play at was being a jockey. Even a move to Cirencester College didn’t help; he only stood it for a year.
By that time Bruce had started an estate agency course at college, but all he wanted to play at was being a jockey. Even a move to Cirencester College didn’t help; he only stood it for a year.
Then along came that winning debut at Cheltenham on November 10, 1984, the ultimate in fairytale beginnings. The horse was called Spaced Out and he battled up that Cheltenham hill to hold off John Francome on the favourite Kristenson by a head.
Then along came that winning debut at Cheltenham on November 10, 1984, the ultimate in fairytale beginnings. The horse was called Spaced Out and he battled up that Cheltenham hill to hold off John Francome on the favourite Kristenson by a head.
Following a year with Jim Wilson as an amateur, Bruce turned professional at the start of the 1986/87 season. Riding winners on television at Cheltenham is always good for a jockey’s image and Bruce did it again on New Year’s Day 1987 aboard Malcolm Eckley’s Bold Illusion in the Ernest Jones Diamond Handicap Hurdle. That win helped to further publicise his name. The following season he was appointed stable jockey to Richard Lee at Presteigne.
Following a year with Jim Wilson as an amateur, Bruce turned professional at the start of the 1986/87 season. Riding winners on television at Cheltenham is always good for a jockey’s image and Bruce did it again on New Year’s Day 1987 aboard Malcolm Eckley’s Bold Illusion in the Ernest Jones Diamond Handicap Hurdle. That win helped to further publicise his name. The following season he was appointed stable jockey to Richard Lee at Presteigne.
Alas, the first day of that new season ended with Bruce being on the sidelines – and he hadn’t even been near a horse. While travelling up to Market Rasen he was involved in a head-on crash, leaving Bruce badly shaken and bruised across the shoulders. To make matters worse, he missed a winning ride on Bruff Academy. Luckily, the horse came out and won again the following week to get Bruce off the mark for the season. Among his other successes that term were two on Richard Lee’s Pembrokeshire Lad, on whom he won the Boar’s
Alas, the first day of that new season ended with Bruce being on the sidelines – and he hadn’t even been near a horse. While travelling up to Market Rasen he was involved in a head-on crash, leaving Bruce badly shaken and bruised across the shoulders. To make matters worse, he missed a winning ride on Bruff Academy. Luckily, the horse came out and won again the following week to get Bruce off the mark for the season. Among his other successes that term were two on Richard Lee’s Pembrokeshire Lad, on whom he won the Boar’s
Head Trophy Chase at Wolverhampton in November and the Wards’ Brewery Novices’ Chase at Doncaster in January.
Head Trophy Chase at Wolverhampton in November and the Wards’ Brewery Novices’ Chase at Doncaster in January.
Bruce had a day to remember at Worcester on October 31, 1987, winning the Mitchells & Butlers Brewery Handicap Hurdle on Malcolm Eckley’s Ruby Flight and the Sir Ken Novices’ Hurdle on Richard Lee’s Blasket Run.
Bruce had a day to remember at Worcester on October 31, 1987, winning the Mitchells & Butlers Brewery Handicap Hurdle on Malcolm Eckley’s Ruby Flight and the Sir Ken Novices’ Hurdle on Richard Lee’s Blasket Run.
The Lee-Dowling partnership flourished over the next few seasons. They won the Mumm Club Novices’ Chase at Aintree two years running with Delius and Swardean (1989). Delius, on whom Bruce won several races, also finished second to Yahoo in the 1989 Martell Cup, while Swardean was runner-up to Sabin Du Loir in a race at Haydock.
The Lee-Dowling partnership flourished over the next few seasons. They won the Mumm Club Novices’ Chase at Aintree two years running with Delius and Swardean (1989). Delius, on whom Bruce won several races, also finished second to Yahoo in the 1989 Martell Cup, while Swardean was runner-up to Sabin Du Loir in a race at Haydock.
The star of the yard during the 1989/90 campaign was Damers Cavalry who won four chases in a row for the Lee-Dowling combo, scoring twice each at Fontwell and Doncaster, finishing with Doncaster’s Grimthorpe Handicap Chase on February 24, 1990. That was Bruce’s best season in terms of winners, notching 23 in total. He rode 14 winners the following season.
The star of the yard during the 1989/90 campaign was Damers Cavalry who won four chases in a row for the Lee-Dowling combo, scoring twice each at Fontwell and Doncaster, finishing with Doncaster’s Grimthorpe Handicap Chase on February 24, 1990. That was Bruce’s best season in terms of winners, notching 23 in total. He rode 14 winners the following season.
On February 7, 1992, Bruce took a pile-driving ninth-fence fall from Major Kinsman at Bangor. He suffered a very bad concussion and was left him with tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and difficulty keeping his balance. It was June before he started to feel well again and he considered quitting the saddle during his long and frustrating rehabilitation. He even applied for a job as an estate agent but when he arrived for the interview, he knew that life wasn’t for him.
On February 7, 1992, Bruce took a pile-driving ninth-fence fall from Major Kinsman at Bangor. He suffered a very bad concussion and was left him with tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and difficulty keeping his balance. It was June before he started to feel well again and he considered quitting the saddle during his long and frustrating rehabilitation. He even applied for a job as an estate agent but when he arrived for the interview, he knew that life wasn’t for him.
He made a triumphant return to action on August 1, 1992 when chalking up the 100th win of his professional career on the Richard Lee-trained Market Leader in the Ike Campbell Handicap Chase at Market Rasen. Bruce won on him again over the same course a distance a fortnight later.
He made a triumphant return to action on August 1, 1992 when chalking up the 100th win of his professional career on the Richard Lee-trained Market Leader in the Ike Campbell Handicap Chase at Market Rasen. Bruce won on him again over the same course a distance a fortnight later.
Those were to be his last two winners. On September 12 he had another bad fall, also at Bangor, from a juvenile hurdler named Weekend Girl, which finally convinced him to quit. He had ridden 120 winners in eight years as a jockey.
Those were to be his last two winners. On September 12 he had another bad fall, also at Bangor, from a juvenile hurdler named Weekend Girl, which finally convinced him to quit. He had ridden 120 winners in eight years as a jockey.
He became involved in property renovation for more than a decade before deciding that another change was needed. In 2010 he qualified, with help from JETS, the Jockeys Employment Training Scheme, as a sports massage therapist and now looks after a number of clients from his home in Cheltenham.
He became involved in property renovation for more than a decade before deciding that another change was needed. In 2010 he qualified, with help from JETS, the Jockeys Employment Training Scheme, as a sports massage therapist and now looks after a number of clients from his home in Cheltenham.
Furthermore, he has retained links with the horseracing world, training point-to-pointers and hunter chases.
Furthermore, he has retained links with the horseracing world, training point-to-pointers and hunter chases.