Peter Drabble
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Northern lightweight jockey Peter Drabble was born on February 10, 1943 and served his apprenticeship with Ernie Davey at Malton. He rode his first winner on Drake’s Gambit for Lockerbie trainer John Barclay in an apprentices’ handicap at Hamilton Park on May 8, 1961.
Northern lightweight jockey Peter Drabble was born on February 10, 1943 and served his apprenticeship with Ernie Davey at Malton. He rode his first winner on Drake’s Gambit for Lockerbie trainer John Barclay in an apprentices’ handicap at Hamilton Park on May 8, 1961.
That was his sole success of 1961 and he rode none the following year, but he was back in the winner’s enclosure twice in 1963, on Ernie Davey’s pair Champagne Kelly at Beverley in July and Miss Julie at Ripon in August.
That was his sole success of 1961 and he rode none the following year, but he was back in the winner’s enclosure twice in 1963, on Ernie Davey’s pair Champagne Kelly at Beverley in July and Miss Julie at Ripon in August.
Ernie Davey’s three-year-old Pride Of Ennis and juveniles Dundrum, Villa Marina and Grey
Ernie Davey’s three-year-old Pride Of Ennis and juveniles Dundrum, Villa Marina and Grey
Summer all won for Peter’s in 1964, but it was one trained by Neville Hall at Dunstall, near Burton-on-Trent, a sprinter named Balmoral Fair, that gave him his biggest success of that year when landing Haydock’s Great Central Handicap.
Summer all won for Peter’s in 1964, but it was one trained by Neville Hall at Dunstall, near Burton-on-Trent, a sprinter named Balmoral Fair, that gave him his biggest success of that year when landing Haydock’s Great Central Handicap.
Peter rode Balmoral Fair next time out at a Birmingham evening meeting, where, in the last race of the night, the 9.30, they were involved in a three-way photo, the judge eventually calling a dead-heat between Balmoral Fair and Bill Williamson’s mount Sylvan Ash, with Lester Piggott a short head away in third on course specialist Selly Oak.
Peter rode Balmoral Fair next time out at a Birmingham evening meeting, where, in the last race of the night, the 9.30, they were involved in a three-way photo, the judge eventually calling a dead-heat between Balmoral Fair and Bill Williamson’s mount Sylvan Ash, with Lester Piggott a short head away in third on course specialist Selly Oak.
It wasn’t all good news that night, though. Peter had travelled to Birmingham by train. Having just managed to catch the last one back to York, he fell asleep on the train and ended up in Darlington. He had no money on him so had to sit it out on the station platform all night in order to catch the mail train back to York.
It wasn’t all good news that night, though. Peter had travelled to Birmingham by train. Having just managed to catch the last one back to York, he fell asleep on the train and ended up in Darlington. He had no money on him so had to sit it out on the station platform all night in order to catch the mail train back to York.
Although there were no more winners that season, he was able to increase his score to eight in 1965, beginning with two wins on the Tommy Robson-trained Originator at Hamilton and Ayr. Also at Ayr, on July 24, he rode the only double of career, Ernie Davey’s two-year-old Skid Row and Tommy Robson’s Harbinger in the valuable W.D. and H.O. Wills Trophy Handicap, although the second leg was achieved via the help of the stewards, who disqualified first past the post Metellus, the mount of Joe Sime, on grounds of crossing and placed him second behind Harbinger. Later that year Peter finished second, beaten a length, on Inyanga, trained by Noel Robinson, in the historic Lanark Silver Bell.
Although there were no more winners that season, he was able to increase his score to eight in 1965, beginning with two wins on the Tommy Robson-trained Originator at Hamilton and Ayr. Also at Ayr, on July 24, he rode the only double of career, Ernie Davey’s two-year-old Skid Row and Tommy Robson’s Harbinger in the valuable W.D. and H.O. Wills Trophy Handicap, although the second leg was achieved via the help of the stewards, who disqualified first past the post Metellus, the mount of Joe Sime, on grounds of crossing and placed him second behind Harbinger. Later that year Peter finished second, beaten a length, on Inyanga, trained by Noel Robinson, in the historic Lanark Silver Bell.
Peter completed his apprenticeship at the end of 1965 and began his first season without a claim as lightweight jockey to Peter Easterby. He rode only two winners in 1966 but they were both in decent races: Thirsk’s Bass & Worthington Bowl, a handicap for three- and four-year-olds, on Peter Easterby’s Sound Number and the Edinburgh Gold Cup on Inyanga They turned out to be his final winners. He rode for one more year before relinquishing his jockey’s licence at the end of the 1967 season.
Peter completed his apprenticeship at the end of 1965 and began his first season without a claim as lightweight jockey to Peter Easterby. He rode only two winners in 1966 but they were both in decent races: Thirsk’s Bass & Worthington Bowl, a handicap for three- and four-year-olds, on Peter Easterby’s Sound Number and the Edinburgh Gold Cup on Inyanga They turned out to be his final winners. He rode for one more year before relinquishing his jockey’s licence at the end of the 1967 season.
The reason why he finished is quite simple. When he’d ridden his first winner, aged 18, in 1961, he weighed 5st 9lb and had carried just 6st 2lb to victory. Seven years further down the line, the minimum weight had already risen from 6st 7lb to 7st and now it was due to rise again to 7st 7lb. The days of the genuine lightweight jockey were numbered. The rides, particularly in the big handicaps, just weren’t there anymore for Peter and several others like him.
The reason why he finished is quite simple. When he’d ridden his first winner, aged 18, in 1961, he weighed 5st 9lb and had carried just 6st 2lb to victory. Seven years further down the line, the minimum weight had already risen from 6st 7lb to 7st and now it was due to rise again to 7st 7lb. The days of the genuine lightweight jockey were numbered. The rides, particularly in the big handicaps, just weren’t there anymore for Peter and several others like him.
He received an invitation to ride in India but, being on the verge of getting married, the move did not fit in. Instead, he became travelling head lad to Peter Easterby, a position he retained for ten years.
He received an invitation to ride in India but, being on the verge of getting married, the move did not fit in. Instead, he became travelling head lad to Peter Easterby, a position he retained for ten years.
Following a brief spell out of racing, in 1982 he joined Malton trainer Mick Lambert and stayed with him throughout his four-year spell as a trainer, during which time he sent out 96 winners.
Following a brief spell out of racing, in 1982 he joined Malton trainer Mick Lambert and stayed with him throughout his four-year spell as a trainer, during which time he sent out 96 winners.
After that, Peter spent four seasons as travelling head lad for Jimmy Fitzgerald before eventually deciding to retire so that he could spend more time at home and less time on the road.
After that, Peter spent four seasons as travelling head lad for Jimmy Fitzgerald before eventually deciding to retire so that he could spend more time at home and less time on the road.
Home life suited him just fine. Not that it meant any lack of activity. Far from it. Peter and his wife renovated a bungalow in Norton, near Malton, where they now live. He plays golf three times a week, is fit and counts himself fortunate to have enjoyed such a good life.
Home life suited him just fine. Not that it meant any lack of activity. Far from it. Peter and his wife renovated a bungalow in Norton, near Malton, where they now live. He plays golf three times a week, is fit and counts himself fortunate to have enjoyed such a good life.
And he is giving something back. He’s an active fund raiser and event organiser for the Rotary Club, gives talks to local societies about his life in racing, and does much for various charities. “I haven’t got a lot of money to give to charity,” he says, “but I’ve still got a good back so I give my hands and I give my time.”
And he is giving something back. He’s an active fund raiser and event organiser for the Rotary Club, gives talks to local societies about his life in racing, and does much for various charities. “I haven’t got a lot of money to give to charity,” he says, “but I’ve still got a good back so I give my hands and I give my time.”
Peter Drabble’s winners were, in chronological order:
Peter Drabble’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Drake’s Gambit, Hamilton Park, May 8, 1961
1. Drake’s Gambit, Hamilton Park, May 8, 1961
2. Champagne Kelly, Beverley, July 13, 1963
2. Champagne Kelly, Beverley, July 13, 1963
3. Miss Julie, Ripon, August 24, 1963
3. Miss Julie, Ripon, August 24, 1963
4. Pride Of Ennis, Catterick Bridge, April 15, 1964
4. Pride Of Ennis, Catterick Bridge, April 15, 1964
5. Dundrum, Ripon, June 17, 1964
5. Dundrum, Ripon, June 17, 1964
6. Villa Marina, Hamilton Park, June 19, 1964
6. Villa Marina, Hamilton Park, June 19, 1964
7. Balmoral Fair, Haydock Park, July 3, 1964
7. Balmoral Fair, Haydock Park, July 3, 1964
8. Grey Summer, Beverley, July 11, 1964
8. Grey Summer, Beverley, July 11, 1964
9. Balmoral Fair, Birmingham, July 13, 1964 (dead-heat)
9. Balmoral Fair, Birmingham, July 13, 1964 (dead-heat)
10. Originator, Hamilton Park, May 24, 1965
10. Originator, Hamilton Park, May 24, 1965
11. Originator, Ayr, June 12, 1965
11. Originator, Ayr, June 12, 1965
12. Adreama, Ripon, June 15, 1965
12. Adreama, Ripon, June 15, 1965
13. Star Wisdom, Beverley, July 10, 1965
13. Star Wisdom, Beverley, July 10, 1965
14. Skid Row, Ayr, July 24, 1965
14. Skid Row, Ayr, July 24, 1965
15. Harbinger, Ayr, July 24, 1965
15. Harbinger, Ayr, July 24, 1965
16. Glen Helen, Lanark, September 4, 1965
16. Glen Helen, Lanark, September 4, 1965
17. Growing Leisure, Edinburgh, September 20, 1965
17. Growing Leisure, Edinburgh, September 20, 1965
18. Sound Number, Thirsk, May 21, 1966
18. Sound Number, Thirsk, May 21, 1966
19. Inyanga, September 19, 1966
19. Inyanga, September 19, 1966