Richard Evans
Richard Rees Evans, of The Paddocks, Bayliss Hill, Pebworth, Worcs, was born on June 1, 1947, and rode his first winner on Marchairy on October 16 1965 at Towcester. The horse had been bought out of a Stratford seller for 280 guineas and was trained by Richard's father, permit holder, Glynn.
Richard Rees Evans, of The Paddocks, Bayliss Hill, Pebworth, Worcs, was born on June 1, 1947, and rode his first winner on Marchairy on October 16 1965 at Towcester. The horse had been bought out of a Stratford seller for 280 guineas and was trained by Richard's father, permit holder, Glynn.
Richard's best season came in 1971-72 when riding 40 winners.
Richard's best season came in 1971-72 when riding 40 winners.
His racing hero was George Owen. Owen was responsible for the early tutelage of jockeys Dick Francis, Stan Mellor & Tim Brookshaw.
His racing hero was George Owen. Owen was responsible for the early tutelage of jockeys Dick Francis, Stan Mellor & Tim Brookshaw.
George Owen had also trained Russian Hero to win the 1949 Grand National.
George Owen had also trained Russian Hero to win the 1949 Grand National.
When Owen asked Richard to ride Brian's Best in the 1971 Grand National for him, the jockey considered it great honour.
When Owen asked Richard to ride Brian's Best in the 1971 Grand National for him, the jockey considered it great honour.
Unfortunately, Brian's Best (and four others) all crashed out at the first.
Unfortunately, Brian's Best (and four others) all crashed out at the first.
'It was,' Richard later recalled, 'a great disappointment.'
'It was,' Richard later recalled, 'a great disappointment.'
The following year he rode 100/1 no-hoper Permit who surprised everyone by getting as far as the second Canal Turn, where he fell.
The following year he rode 100/1 no-hoper Permit who surprised everyone by getting as far as the second Canal Turn, where he fell.
It was proving to be an unlucky race for Richard.
It was proving to be an unlucky race for Richard.
He was kicked on the ground when falling at the Chair the next season, suffering a broken wrist, and in 1974, riding The Tunku, he pulled up at the eighteenth.
He was kicked on the ground when falling at the Chair the next season, suffering a broken wrist, and in 1974, riding The Tunku, he pulled up at the eighteenth.
Then came The Pilgarlic. Half-brother to Gold Cup & Grand National winner, the horse at least had some class about it.
Then came The Pilgarlic. Half-brother to Gold Cup & Grand National winner, the horse at least had some class about it.
In December 1976, Richard first rode him at Wolverhampton. The Pilgarlic finished second and also came second in its next race at Ludlow.
In December 1976, Richard first rode him at Wolverhampton. The Pilgarlic finished second and also came second in its next race at Ludlow.
The next year, The Pilgarlic and Richard lined up for the Grand National: history tells us that Red Rum magnificently won for the third time.
The next year, The Pilgarlic and Richard lined up for the Grand National: history tells us that Red Rum magnificently won for the third time.
Running its own superb race, The Pilgarlic stuck on to finish fourth. Richard was delighted, and couldn't wait to get home to watch the rerun.
Running its own superb race, The Pilgarlic stuck on to finish fourth. Richard was delighted, and couldn't wait to get home to watch the rerun.
Before the race, Richard had struck an unusual wager. His younger brother, James, was also riding in the race and Richard had been offered odds of 25/1 for James (on Lean Forward) and himself to both get round. Knowing that each horse was generally a safe conveyance, Richard had a £25 bet.
Before the race, Richard had struck an unusual wager. His younger brother, James, was also riding in the race and Richard had been offered odds of 25/1 for James (on Lean Forward) and himself to both get round. Knowing that each horse was generally a safe conveyance, Richard had a £25 bet.
Having finished safely, he was delighted to see young James also complete the course, coming home thirteenth of fifteen finishers.
Having finished safely, he was delighted to see young James also complete the course, coming home thirteenth of fifteen finishers.
Richard became involved in a debate asking why jockeys should receive solely the basic riding fee in the Grand National when it attracts a global audience of millions?
Richard became involved in a debate asking why jockeys should receive solely the basic riding fee in the Grand National when it attracts a global audience of millions?
He reasoned "I doubt there's any other pinnacle event in a sport where the players receive the standard payment for being involved, and that must be unjust. How much were footballers paid at the World Cup?"
He reasoned "I doubt there's any other pinnacle event in a sport where the players receive the standard payment for being involved, and that must be unjust. How much were footballers paid at the World Cup?"
Apart from his thriving 50-acre Oxstalls Farm Stud, a mile from Stratford-upon-Avon, which has been the mainstay of income since before his retirement from the saddle, Richard has dabbled in other trades in partnership with members of his family, including a bed & breakfast pub - The Foxhunter - at Snitterfield, which has now closed, and property letting.
Apart from his thriving 50-acre Oxstalls Farm Stud, a mile from Stratford-upon-Avon, which has been the mainstay of income since before his retirement from the saddle, Richard has dabbled in other trades in partnership with members of his family, including a bed & breakfast pub - The Foxhunter - at Snitterfield, which has now closed, and property letting.
He is a steward at Cheltenham and was instrumental in the decision to move the final hurdle closer to the winning line, an attempt to reduce jockey whip bans. "For many years it had worried me that the whip misdemeanours were getting more publicity at the Festival than the winners. I'm also a steward at Stratford and Warwick, and at both courses, we rarely have to suspend a jockey for a whip offence because of the limited run-in; jockeys don't have the time to get themselves into trouble."
He is a steward at Cheltenham and was instrumental in the decision to move the final hurdle closer to the winning line, an attempt to reduce jockey whip bans. "For many years it had worried me that the whip misdemeanours were getting more publicity at the Festival than the winners. I'm also a steward at Stratford and Warwick, and at both courses, we rarely have to suspend a jockey for a whip offence because of the limited run-in; jockeys don't have the time to get themselves into trouble."
He was also a director at Warwick for five years, and continues to serve on the BHA's licensing committee.
He was also a director at Warwick for five years, and continues to serve on the BHA's licensing committee.
On June 4, 1970, he married Susan Reeves.
On June 4, 1970, he married Susan Reeves.
He was nicknamed Smiler by his fellow jockeys for his cheerful attitude and had ridden 325 winners before quitting the saddle.
He was nicknamed Smiler by his fellow jockeys for his cheerful attitude and had ridden 325 winners before quitting the saddle.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1972: Wills Handicap Hurdle – Casbah
1972: Wills Handicap Hurdle – Casbah
1974: Liverpool Handicap Hurdle – Ronson Avenue
1974: Liverpool Handicap Hurdle – Ronson Avenue
1974: Kirk and Kirk Handicap Chase – High Ken
1974: Kirk and Kirk Handicap Chase – High Ken
1976: Joe Coral Handicap Hurdle – Good Prospect
1976: Joe Coral Handicap Hurdle – Good Prospect