Clive Eccleston
Clive Henry Eccleston was born in Flintshire on July 8, 1947. He rode a few ponies for his uncle as a youngster but it was on leaving school and becoming apprenticed to Eric Cousins that he learned to ride properly. He was apprenticed to Cousins from 1962 to 1968 and then joined Frank Carr’s Malton stable, with whom he was based until 1971.
Clive Henry Eccleston was born in Flintshire on July 8, 1947. He rode a few ponies for his uncle as a youngster but it was on leaving school and becoming apprenticed to Eric Cousins that he learned to ride properly. He was apprenticed to Cousins from 1962 to 1968 and then joined Frank Carr’s Malton stable, with whom he was based until 1971.
He rode his first winner on the John Cousins-trained Gaelic Belle in the Champion Apprentice Handicap at Carlisle on August 27, 1964. He rode only four winners over the course of the next two seasons but his career blossomed in 1967 when registering a score of 17 wins.
He rode his first winner on the John Cousins-trained Gaelic Belle in the Champion Apprentice Handicap at Carlisle on August 27, 1964. He rode only four winners over the course of the next two seasons but his career blossomed in 1967 when registering a score of 17 wins.
He was crowned champion apprentice in 1969 with 41 winners from 314 mounts. They included Palmallet for Frank Carr in the Thirsk Hunt Cup and the George Boyd-trained Make Whoopie in the Edinburgh Gold Cup. Also that year, he married Sylvia Townson. She gave him one daughter.
He was crowned champion apprentice in 1969 with 41 winners from 314 mounts. They included Palmallet for Frank Carr in the Thirsk Hunt Cup and the George Boyd-trained Make Whoopie in the Edinburgh Gold Cup. Also that year, he married Sylvia Townson. She gave him one daughter.
Clive forged a successful career for himself during the 1970s, recording scores between the mid-20s and high-30s. The best horse he rode was Pablond, on whom he won the 1975 Vaux Gold Tankard.
Clive forged a successful career for himself during the 1970s, recording scores between the mid-20s and high-30s. The best horse he rode was Pablond, on whom he won the 1975 Vaux Gold Tankard.
Sadly, his winning tallies declined towards the end of the decade, registering just four in 1979. He left Britain to try his luck abroad, principally in India.
Sadly, his winning tallies declined towards the end of the decade, registering just four in 1979. He left Britain to try his luck abroad, principally in India.
He also rode in Saudi Arabia but returned to Britain in May 1980 and was cleared by the Jockey Club to ride in England again. It was, though, a brief return. In 1981 he had a mere 11 rides all year and no winners. His last season was in 1982.
He also rode in Saudi Arabia but returned to Britain in May 1980 and was cleared by the Jockey Club to ride in England again. It was, though, a brief return. In 1981 he had a mere 11 rides all year and no winners. His last season was in 1982.
Clive eventually remarried and lived in Rhydlewis, Llandysul, South Wales. His second wife gave him two daughters.
Clive eventually remarried and lived in Rhydlewis, Llandysul, South Wales. His second wife gave him two daughters.
Clive Eccleston
Clive Eccleston
Big winners
Big winners
1969: Thirsk Hunt Cup – Palmallet
1969: Thirsk Hunt Cup – Palmallet
1969: Edinburgh Gold Cup – Make Whoopee
1969: Edinburgh Gold Cup – Make Whoopee
1973: Lanark Silver Bell – Secret Ace
1973: Lanark Silver Bell – Secret Ace
1975: Vaux Gold Tankard – Pablond
1975: Vaux Gold Tankard – Pablond
1975: Morland Brewery Trophy – Rodado
1975: Morland Brewery Trophy – Rodado
1976: Lanark Silver Bell – Lady Esmeralda
1976: Lanark Silver Bell – Lady Esmeralda