Roy Davies
Midlands National Hunt jockey Roy Frederick Davies was born on March 2, 1948, the son of Harold Davies, a stud groom to Lord Leverhulme.
Midlands National Hunt jockey Roy Frederick Davies was born on March 2, 1948, the son of Harold Davies, a stud groom to Lord Leverhulme.
He served a three-year apprenticeship with Mick Easterby at Sheriff Hutton in Yorkshire before joining Roy Whiston’s Market Drayton stable. He rode his first winner, aged 22, on Liporina in a Haydock Park selling hurdle for conditional jockeys on December 2, 1970.
He served a three-year apprenticeship with Mick Easterby at Sheriff Hutton in Yorkshire before joining Roy Whiston’s Market Drayton stable. He rode his first winner, aged 22, on Liporina in a Haydock Park selling hurdle for conditional jockeys on December 2, 1970.
He was the retained jockey for Roy Whiston throughout the 1970s and enjoyed plenty of success, particularly around the Midlands tracks. Among the good horses he rode were Cool Alibi over hurdles and Lord Leverhulme’s popular grey Casbah over fences.
He was the retained jockey for Roy Whiston throughout the 1970s and enjoyed plenty of success, particularly around the Midlands tracks. Among the good horses he rode were Cool Alibi over hurdles and Lord Leverhulme’s popular grey Casbah over fences.
Roy later rode for trainer Willie Jenks, for whom he won ten chases on Co-Partner, including the Ludlow Hugh Sumner Challenge Cup in both 1976 and 1977, and the Harry Brown Challenge Cup at Wolverhampton in 1978.
Roy later rode for trainer Willie Jenks, for whom he won ten chases on Co-Partner, including the Ludlow Hugh Sumner Challenge Cup in both 1976 and 1977, and the Harry Brown Challenge Cup at Wolverhampton in 1978.
He rode in two Grand Nationals, completing the course in last place on 200-1 shot Saucy Belle in 1977, having remounted after parting company at Becher’s on the second circuit. That year is best remembered for Red Rum’s historic third victory. However, it was Roy’s ambition just to get round, not only for the glory of so doing, but also because he’d told a friend to put £10 on her at 25-1 to finish the race. To make the day complete, Roy then won the last race on the card, the Pegasus Junior Novices’ Hurdle, on Monte Ceco for trainer Edward Hollister Owen.
He rode in two Grand Nationals, completing the course in last place on 200-1 shot Saucy Belle in 1977, having remounted after parting company at Becher’s on the second circuit. That year is best remembered for Red Rum’s historic third victory. However, it was Roy’s ambition just to get round, not only for the glory of so doing, but also because he’d told a friend to put £10 on her at 25-1 to finish the race. To make the day complete, Roy then won the last race on the card, the Pegasus Junior Novices’ Hurdle, on Monte Ceco for trainer Edward Hollister Owen.
Roy’s only other Grand National mount, the Emlyn Hughes-owned Wayward Scot in 1979, got no further than the first fence.
Roy’s only other Grand National mount, the Emlyn Hughes-owned Wayward Scot in 1979, got no further than the first fence.
The best horse he ever rode was Pearlyman, whom he partnered in his first two races over hurdles. Then just a four-year-old, Pearlyman was trained by Willie Jenks and Roy rode him at Wolverhampton in February and Stratford in March 1983, finishing third on the latter occasion. Pearlyman went on to win the Grand Annual Chase in 1986 plus the 1987 and 1988 runnings of the Queen Mother Champion Chase, making him one of a select few to have won at the Cheltenham Festival in three consecutive years.
The best horse he ever rode was Pearlyman, whom he partnered in his first two races over hurdles. Then just a four-year-old, Pearlyman was trained by Willie Jenks and Roy rode him at Wolverhampton in February and Stratford in March 1983, finishing third on the latter occasion. Pearlyman went on to win the Grand Annual Chase in 1986 plus the 1987 and 1988 runnings of the Queen Mother Champion Chase, making him one of a select few to have won at the Cheltenham Festival in three consecutive years.
Roy had his last ride on Tania’s Lad, finishing third in a 3m 2f handicap chase at Uttoxeter on May 30, 1983. He announced his retirement a couple of days later.
Roy had his last ride on Tania’s Lad, finishing third in a 3m 2f handicap chase at Uttoxeter on May 30, 1983. He announced his retirement a couple of days later.
Having hung up his boots and saddle, he reared cattle and broke in horses at livery. He then went to Lostford Manor and broke in horses for Jack Berry and Richard Hannon. They included Mind Games and Periston View, both prolific winners. He now lives in retirement at Hodnet, near Whitchurch.
Having hung up his boots and saddle, he reared cattle and broke in horses at livery. He then went to Lostford Manor and broke in horses for Jack Berry and Richard Hannon. They included Mind Games and Periston View, both prolific winners. He now lives in retirement at Hodnet, near Whitchurch.