Hywel Davies
Hywel James Davies was the jockey on board when 50/1 outsider Last Suspect roared to victory in the 1985 Grand National. He was the first jockey to Tim Forster's Letcombe Bassett stables in Oxfordshire and, as such, came in for the winning ride on 50/1 outsider for the 1985 Grand National.
Hywel James Davies was the jockey on board when 50/1 outsider Last Suspect roared to victory in the 1985 Grand National. He was the first jockey to Tim Forster's Letcombe Bassett stables in Oxfordshire and, as such, came in for the winning ride on 50/1 outsider for the 1985 Grand National.
That he was able to ride the horse at all, let alone win, was a miracle in itself - only months earlier he had been brought back from the dead by first aid when suffering yet another crushing racecourse fall.
That he was able to ride the horse at all, let alone win, was a miracle in itself - only months earlier he had been brought back from the dead by first aid when suffering yet another crushing racecourse fall.
Asked in an interview after the race if winning the National had been his ambition he replied 'No. I want to ride 100 winners in a season and become champion jockey''
Asked in an interview after the race if winning the National had been his ambition he replied 'No. I want to ride 100 winners in a season and become champion jockey''
Sadly, he achieved neither, the 85 winners he rode in 1984-85 being his highest, but he did win some very good races including the 1989 Hennessy (Ghofar), 1983 Racing Post Chase (Manton Castle), 1986 Whitbread Gold Label Cup (Beau Ranger), 1983 Topham Trophy (Tiepolino) and the 1992 Whitbread Gold Cup (Topsham Bay).
Sadly, he achieved neither, the 85 winners he rode in 1984-85 being his highest, but he did win some very good races including the 1989 Hennessy (Ghofar), 1983 Racing Post Chase (Manton Castle), 1986 Whitbread Gold Label Cup (Beau Ranger), 1983 Topham Trophy (Tiepolino) and the 1992 Whitbread Gold Cup (Topsham Bay).
He also won twice at the Cheltenham Festival; 1990 Grand Annual Chase (Katabatic) and the 1990 Queen Mother Chase (Barnbrook Again).
He also won twice at the Cheltenham Festival; 1990 Grand Annual Chase (Katabatic) and the 1990 Queen Mother Chase (Barnbrook Again).
Born on December 4, 1956, in Cardigan, Mid Wales, he started as an amateur connected to the stable of Josh Gifford.
Born on December 4, 1956, in Cardigan, Mid Wales, he started as an amateur connected to the stable of Josh Gifford.
He was a student from Aberystwyth University when, on January 24, 1977, he rode his first winner, Mr Know All, at Fontwell Park. It was also his first-ever ride.
He was a student from Aberystwyth University when, on January 24, 1977, he rode his first winner, Mr Know All, at Fontwell Park. It was also his first-ever ride.
Hywel rode from 1977 to 1994 and clocked up 761 winners. He was 37 when he decided to retire saying: 'I am happy and sad but relieved to be getting out in one piece. It was a struggle and I couldn't see another big job coming my way.'
Hywel rode from 1977 to 1994 and clocked up 761 winners. He was 37 when he decided to retire saying: 'I am happy and sad but relieved to be getting out in one piece. It was a struggle and I couldn't see another big job coming my way.'
On August 18, 1979, he married Rachel Shepard. Their son, James Meurig Anthony, rode in the 2004 Grand National.
On August 18, 1979, he married Rachel Shepard. Their son, James Meurig Anthony, rode in the 2004 Grand National.
Away from racing, Hywel enjoyed golf, snooker and shooting.
Away from racing, Hywel enjoyed golf, snooker and shooting.
He found himself in hot water on Tuesday, January 10 1978 when, still an amateur, pulling up on the 9/4 favourite, Royal Exchange, when he should have gone round again. Realising his mistake, he set off in pursuit of the others, but the horse had shot its bolt and came crashing down at the third last. Hywel had to face some hostile remarks and a caution from the Stewards on his return.
He found himself in hot water on Tuesday, January 10 1978 when, still an amateur, pulling up on the 9/4 favourite, Royal Exchange, when he should have gone round again. Realising his mistake, he set off in pursuit of the others, but the horse had shot its bolt and came crashing down at the third last. Hywel had to face some hostile remarks and a caution from the Stewards on his return.
Son James also found himself in hot water when falling from his horse Topless just a few yards short of the winning post at Taunton in January 2009.
Son James also found himself in hot water when falling from his horse Topless just a few yards short of the winning post at Taunton in January 2009.
James had the race sewn up and said after 'It was tacky ground and the mare got exhausted. On the run-in she started heading towards the parade, so I pulled my stick through to give her a tap on her left side. She then went the other way and I lost my balance.'
James had the race sewn up and said after 'It was tacky ground and the mare got exhausted. On the run-in she started heading towards the parade, so I pulled my stick through to give her a tap on her left side. She then went the other way and I lost my balance.'
Which was unfortunate for two ticket holders on the Tote Super 7. Both had picked the first six winners and both had nominated James's horse as their final leg.
Which was unfortunate for two ticket holders on the Tote Super 7. Both had picked the first six winners and both had nominated James's horse as their final leg.
It cost the unlucky punters nearly £200,000 each!
It cost the unlucky punters nearly £200,000 each!
A crashing fall from Cotswold Leader at Chepstow on Monday, January 12, 1981, resulted in a broken pelvis for Hywel, yet, incredibly, he was back among the winners by April, landing the Supersports Hurdle on 20/1 shot Shell Burst.
A crashing fall from Cotswold Leader at Chepstow on Monday, January 12, 1981, resulted in a broken pelvis for Hywel, yet, incredibly, he was back among the winners by April, landing the Supersports Hurdle on 20/1 shot Shell Burst.
His Grand National record (10 rides):
His Grand National record (10 rides):
1981 Royal Stuart (unseated rider 20th), 1982 Tiepolino (refused 22nd), 1983 Spartan Missile (unseated rider 22nd), 1985 Last Suspect (WON), 1986 Last Suspect (pulled up 18th), 1988 Northern Bay (pulled up 21st), 1989 Friendly Henry (fell 11th), 1990 Uncle Merlin (unseated rider 22nd), 1991 Blue Dart (unseated rider 22nd), 1992 Ghofar (11th).
1981 Royal Stuart (unseated rider 20th), 1982 Tiepolino (refused 22nd), 1983 Spartan Missile (unseated rider 22nd), 1985 Last Suspect (WON), 1986 Last Suspect (pulled up 18th), 1988 Northern Bay (pulled up 21st), 1989 Friendly Henry (fell 11th), 1990 Uncle Merlin (unseated rider 22nd), 1991 Blue Dart (unseated rider 22nd), 1992 Ghofar (11th).
Hywel rode a total of 761 winners before retiring in 1994.
Hywel rode a total of 761 winners before retiring in 1994.
His elder brother, Thomas Geraint Davies, rode 38 winners before being forced to retire after injuries received in a fall at Kempton in 1974. Thomas became a blacksmith and died of a heart attack in August 2002 aged 52.
His elder brother, Thomas Geraint Davies, rode 38 winners before being forced to retire after injuries received in a fall at Kempton in 1974. Thomas became a blacksmith and died of a heart attack in August 2002 aged 52.
Hywel Davies
Hywel Davies
Grand National winner: Last Suspect (1985)
Grand National winner: Last Suspect (1985)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1983: Racing Post Handicap Chase – Manton Castle
1983: Racing Post Handicap Chase – Manton Castle
1983: Topham Trophy – Tiepolino
1983: Topham Trophy – Tiepolino
1985: Geoffrey Gilbey Memorial Chase – Western Sunset
1985: Geoffrey Gilbey Memorial Chase – Western Sunset
1989: Hennessy Gold Cup – Ghofar
1989: Hennessy Gold Cup – Ghofar
1990: Queen Mother Champion Chase – Barnbrook Again
1990: Queen Mother Champion Chase – Barnbrook Again
1990: Grand Annual Chase – Katabatic
1990: Grand Annual Chase – Katabatic
1992: Whitbread Gold Cup – Topsham Bay
1992: Whitbread Gold Cup – Topsham Bay