Richard Dicey
The son of an engineer, Richard Dicey was born at Crick, near Rugby, on July 8, 1950, and was attached to Ted Smyth's Epsom stable when, in 1968, he rode 40 winners to share the apprentice championship with the ill-fated David Coates.
The son of an engineer, Richard Dicey was born at Crick, near Rugby, on July 8, 1950, and was attached to Ted Smyth's Epsom stable when, in 1968, he rode 40 winners to share the apprentice championship with the ill-fated David Coates.
His biggest wins came on Clever Scot in the 1969 Great Metropolitan and on Polymint in the 1966 Chesterfield Cup.
His biggest wins came on Clever Scot in the 1969 Great Metropolitan and on Polymint in the 1966 Chesterfield Cup.
Two years later, to much surprise, he announced his retirement from the English turf. He went abroad and rode in Holland, France, India and Australia.
Two years later, to much surprise, he announced his retirement from the English turf. He went abroad and rode in Holland, France, India and Australia.
Weight gradually got the better of him and, in Perth, he bought 100 acres of land and turned it into a Pre-Training Centre where he broke-in horses for the leading trainers and owners of the day.
Weight gradually got the better of him and, in Perth, he bought 100 acres of land and turned it into a Pre-Training Centre where he broke-in horses for the leading trainers and owners of the day.
He then established his own Freeze Branding business.
He then established his own Freeze Branding business.
He then went to New Zealand looking for a training facility but discovered, instead, Real Estate and quickly rose to be the top salesman and listing agent in Auckland. The weather finally got the better of him, and he returned to Australia, locating in Brisbane. He continued to sell houses.
He then went to New Zealand looking for a training facility but discovered, instead, Real Estate and quickly rose to be the top salesman and listing agent in Auckland. The weather finally got the better of him, and he returned to Australia, locating in Brisbane. He continued to sell houses.
By then, his children had grown old enough to be demanding their own horse, and he bought a small Shetland and named it Gypsy. Going from strength to strength, the family ended up with six or seven showjumping awards and Pony Club cups.
By then, his children had grown old enough to be demanding their own horse, and he bought a small Shetland and named it Gypsy. Going from strength to strength, the family ended up with six or seven showjumping awards and Pony Club cups.
His daughter, Tracey, became an apprentice jockey - his son, William, relocated to Sydney where he worked as a track rider.
His daughter, Tracey, became an apprentice jockey - his son, William, relocated to Sydney where he worked as a track rider.
Richard got himself back into shape and started riding track work to get fit.
Richard got himself back into shape and started riding track work to get fit.
He re-applied for, and got, his trainer's licence.
He re-applied for, and got, his trainer's licence.
Richard remains one of the comparatively few ex-jockeys to have made something of himself once quitting the saddle.
Richard remains one of the comparatively few ex-jockeys to have made something of himself once quitting the saddle.