Reg Akehurst

Far better known as a trainer than a jockey, Reginald Peter John Akehurst nonetheless rode 99 winners under National Hunt rules between 1953 and 1962 before turning his attentions to training. 

The son of a soldier, he was born at Folkestone, on July 4, 1929, he began his racing career as a jump jockey with Doug Marks and rode his first winner on Grand Refrain, trained by Marks, in the Portslade Handicap Chase at Plumpton on February 25, 1953. 

He married Sheila Holdstock 1958. They had two sons Murray and John.

Reg enjoyed his most successful season in 1958/59 with 20 wins and went on to notch a total of 99 winners, including 1960 Worcester Royal Porcelain Chase on Beau Chevalet. That horse, along with El Griegoll, collectively provided around 30 of his wins. 

His last victory as a jockey came on 2-1 joint favourite Black Night for Sussex trainer Peter Dawson in the Ford Novices’ Chase at Fontwell Park on August 22, 1962.

He hung up his boots soon after and started training, based initially at Tunworth Down Stables, Basingstoke. He was soon off the mark when Enamoured, ridden by Terry Biddlecombe, won the Mersham Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Wye on April 8, 1963.

His first Flat winner was Sparrow Pie, partnered by Greville Starkey, in the Balcombe Handicap at Brighton on June 11, 1964.

He moved to Russley Park, Wiltshire in 1965, then to Hillcot Stables, Epsom in 1967. He trained at three different Lambourn/Upper Lambourn locations between 1971 and 1984 before returning to Epsom, where he spent the remainder of his career at South Hatch, bar for a brief stint at Whitcombe Manor, Dorset in 1990-91.

During his lengthy career he landed many major handicaps including the Lincoln, Victoria Cup, Royal Hunt Cup, Wokingham, Ebor and the Golden Mile, landed some notable gambles in the process. However, he also won Group/Graded races on the Flat and over jumps.  

His best performer on the Flat was Gold Rod, whose victories included the 1970 Prix du Moulin and Greenham Stakes. He also claimed the 1973 Coventry Stakes with Dolewood and the 1994 Rose of Lancaster Stakes with Urgent Request.

Over jumps, Bimsey won the 1997 Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle, while Dare To Dream landed the 1992 Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow, the same course where Reg saddled Cool Ground to win the 1990 Welsh Grand National.

Numerically his best seasons were (jumps) 43 in 1988-89 and (Flat) 56 in 1995.

His last winner was Whispered Melody at Lingfield Park on November 18, 1997. He retired at the end of that year.

Following his retirement, Reg assisted his son, John, who took over from his father at South Hatch Stables. He later spent much of his time in Spain, where he moved to benefit from the warmer weather, although he continued to assist John during his treatment for cancer, from which he died in March 2012.

Reg Akehurst died in Spain on May 13, 2024, aged 94. He is survived by his granddaughters, Sophie and Mill, his wife and two sons all having predeceased him.

The following information compiled by John Randall:

Group winners on Flat: Gold Rod (1970 Greenham Stakes, Prix de la Cote Normande, Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, 1971 La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte), Doleswood (1973 Coventry Stakes), Urgent Request (1994 Rose of Lancaster Stakes).

Grade 1 winners over jumps: Dare To Dream (1992 Finale Junior Hurdle), Bimsey (1997 Aintree Hurdle).

Welsh National winner: Cool Ground (1990).

Knights Royal & Ackermann Skeaping Hurdle winner: Moyne Royal (1969-70).

Imperial Cup & Swinton Hurdle winner: Inlander (1987).

Notable Flat handicap winners: Nebris (1986 City and Suburban Handicap), Inlander (1987 Ascot Stakes), Fact Finder (1989 Lincoln Handicap), Sky Cloud (1991 Victoria Cup, Golden Mile), Croft Valley (1993 Lingfield Silver Trophy), Sarawat (1993 Ebor Handicap), Face North (1994 Victoria Cup, Royal Hunt Cup), Astrac (1995 Wokingham), Southern Power (1996 Ascot Stakes), Ballynakelly (8 consecutive handicaps including 1996 Newbury Autumn Cup dead-heat), Tregaron (1997 Victoria Cup), Red Robbo (1997 Royal Hunt Cup), Bahamian Sunshine (1997 Glorious Stakes).

Other notable winners over jumps: Rabble Rouser (1969 KP Hurdle), Russian Affair (1988 Tote Placepot Hurdle), Solidasarock (1989 SGB Chase), Cool Ground (1991 Anthony Mildmay Peter Cazalet Memorial Chase), Amazon Express (1993 Tote Placepot Hurdle), Jazilah (1994 Top Novices' Hurdle).