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National Hunt jockey Peter Double was born on May 26, 1961. He spent the majority of his career with Josh Gifford but also rode for a number of other stables, most notably fellow Findon trainer David Oughton.
National Hunt jockey Peter Double was born on May 26, 1961. He spent the majority of his career with Josh Gifford but also rode for a number of other stables, most notably fellow Findon trainer David Oughton.
Peter was at his peak during the mid-1980s. He enjoyed his best season in 1982/83 with 23 winners, beginning with Bold Saint at Fontwell on August 24. He visited Cheltenham’s winners’ enclosure on October 6 when riding What A Sham to victory in a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle. Back at Fontwell on November 2, he won the Rank Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle on Josh Gifford’s Sweet Kybo, following up on him at Towcester 16 days later, and then adding the E. Coomes Handicap Hurdle at Fontwell on December 1.
Peter was at his peak during the mid-1980s. He enjoyed his best season in 1982/83 with 23 winners, beginning with Bold Saint at Fontwell on August 24. He visited Cheltenham’s winners’ enclosure on October 6 when riding What A Sham to victory in a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle. Back at Fontwell on November 2, he won the Rank Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle on Josh Gifford’s Sweet Kybo, following up on him at Towcester 16 days later, and then adding the E. Coomes Handicap Hurdle at Fontwell on December 1.
Peter started 1983 with another Cheltenham victory, this time over fences on Marshal Night in a conditional jockeys’ handicap chase on January 4. Later that month he scored on Josh Gifford’s novice hurdler Alastor O Mavros at Windsor. On February 7 he steered Sweet Kybo to an effortless victory in a conditional jockeys’ chase at Fontwell. A fortnight later he enjoyed an equally easy winning ride on Marshall Night in the Ward Hill Handicap Chase at Huntingdon.
Peter started 1983 with another Cheltenham victory, this time over fences on Marshal Night in a conditional jockeys’ handicap chase on January 4. Later that month he scored on Josh Gifford’s novice hurdler Alastor O Mavros at Windsor. On February 7 he steered Sweet Kybo to an effortless victory in a conditional jockeys’ chase at Fontwell. A fortnight later he enjoyed an equally easy winning ride on Marshall Night in the Ward Hill Handicap Chase at Huntingdon.
A ‘Double double’ occurred at Lingfield on Saturday, March 19, when Peter won on the Gifford-trained pair Don’t Shout in a division of the novices’ hurdle and Fredo in the three-mile handicap chase. Six days later, David Oughton’s novice hurdler Eusebio ‘scored’ for Peter at Newbury.
A ‘Double double’ occurred at Lingfield on Saturday, March 19, when Peter won on the Gifford-trained pair Don’t Shout in a division of the novices’ hurdle and Fredo in the three-mile handicap chase. Six days later, David Oughton’s novice hurdler Eusebio ‘scored’ for Peter at Newbury.
Peter rode 300/1 outsider Sydney Quin in the 1983 Grand National, getting as far as the Chair before parting company. He eventually wound up a highly successful campaign by winning on the Gifford-trained hurdler Hay Ride at Devon & Exeter on Whit Monday, May 30, 1983.
Peter rode 300/1 outsider Sydney Quin in the 1983 Grand National, getting as far as the Chair before parting company. He eventually wound up a highly successful campaign by winning on the Gifford-trained hurdler Hay Ride at Devon & Exeter on Whit Monday, May 30, 1983.
Equalling that score was always going to be hard but Peter had a respectable 1983/84 season, notching 13 winners. They included a Plumpton double on August 29 for David Oughton on Bold Dealer in the Poethlyn Novices’ Chase and Tompion in the Evening Argus Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle. On September 21 Peter won the Frank Cundell Challenge Trophy Handicap Chase on Oughton’s Bash Street Kid, ironically beating by a neck Josh Gifford’s Captain Dawn, ridden by stable jockey Richard Rowe.
Equalling that score was always going to be hard but Peter had a respectable 1983/84 season, notching 13 winners. They included a Plumpton double on August 29 for David Oughton on Bold Dealer in the Poethlyn Novices’ Chase and Tompion in the Evening Argus Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle. On September 21 Peter won the Frank Cundell Challenge Trophy Handicap Chase on Oughton’s Bash Street Kid, ironically beating by a neck Josh Gifford’s Captain Dawn, ridden by stable jockey Richard Rowe.
His old ally Sweet Kybo carried him to success in the Wally Coomes Handicap Chase at Fontwell on the last day of November, the Eusebio scored again at Chepstow three days later. A good Christmas and New Year was ensured with victories on three Gifford-trained runners, namely novice chaser What A Boy at Towcester on December 17, Show House in division two of the St Ivo Novices’ Hurdle at Huntingdon on Boxing Day, and best of all, Catch Phrase in Newbury’s Challow Hurdle on New Year’s Eve, in which he demolished his field, winning by 30 lengths from Corporal Clinger.
His old ally Sweet Kybo carried him to success in the Wally Coomes Handicap Chase at Fontwell on the last day of November, the Eusebio scored again at Chepstow three days later. A good Christmas and New Year was ensured with victories on three Gifford-trained runners, namely novice chaser What A Boy at Towcester on December 17, Show House in division two of the St Ivo Novices’ Hurdle at Huntingdon on Boxing Day, and best of all, Catch Phrase in Newbury’s Challow Hurdle on New Year’s Eve, in which he demolished his field, winning by 30 lengths from Corporal Clinger.
On the Saturday of Plumpton’s 1984 Easter fixture, Peter rode David Oughton’s Round The Twist to win the Abergavenny Challenge Cup Handicap Chase. Then at Towcester on Easter Monday there was another ‘Double double’ courtesy of Josh Gifford’s pair Roman Bistro in the Alex Fetherstonhaugh Challenge Cup Handicap Chase and Tender Angus in division two of the Duncote Maiden Hurdle.
On the Saturday of Plumpton’s 1984 Easter fixture, Peter rode David Oughton’s Round The Twist to win the Abergavenny Challenge Cup Handicap Chase. Then at Towcester on Easter Monday there was another ‘Double double’ courtesy of Josh Gifford’s pair Roman Bistro in the Alex Fetherstonhaugh Challenge Cup Handicap Chase and Tender Angus in division two of the Duncote Maiden Hurdle.
Most of his wins in the 1984/85 season were for David Oughton, including three on novice hurdler Opening Bars, a pair of three-mile chases on Round The Twist. And a brace of Plumpton novice chases on Swift Royale. He also won Sandown’s Toll House (3yo) Hurdle for Oughton on 33/1 shot Bigee.
Most of his wins in the 1984/85 season were for David Oughton, including three on novice hurdler Opening Bars, a pair of three-mile chases on Round The Twist. And a brace of Plumpton novice chases on Swift Royale. He also won Sandown’s Toll House (3yo) Hurdle for Oughton on 33/1 shot Bigee.
Peter mustered eight wins for the 1985/86 season. They included two Lingfield handicap hurdles on Opening Bars, a Windsor handicap hurdle on Oughton’s six-year-old Quite A Night, the Bic Lady Shaver Handicap Hurdle at Kempton on January 18 on Bigee, and an Easter Monday winner at Fakenham on John Jenkins’ selling hurdler Airlanka.
Peter mustered eight wins for the 1985/86 season. They included two Lingfield handicap hurdles on Opening Bars, a Windsor handicap hurdle on Oughton’s six-year-old Quite A Night, the Bic Lady Shaver Handicap Hurdle at Kempton on January 18 on Bigee, and an Easter Monday winner at Fakenham on John Jenkins’ selling hurdler Airlanka.
Sadly, the number of winners continued to fall. Bigee’s win in the Standard Life Handicap Hurdle at Kempton on November 6, 1986 was one of the few highlights that season, and he failed to register even one victory in the 1987/88 campaign. It is very likely that bad luck with injuries played a part in Peter’s declining fortunes. He last held a licence in 1990.
Sadly, the number of winners continued to fall. Bigee’s win in the Standard Life Handicap Hurdle at Kempton on November 6, 1986 was one of the few highlights that season, and he failed to register even one victory in the 1987/88 campaign. It is very likely that bad luck with injuries played a part in Peter’s declining fortunes. He last held a licence in 1990.
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