Brian Connorton

The son of Edward Connorton (1900 - 1983), Brian Edward Connorton was born at Newmarket on May 20, 1935, and, as an apprentice, served Norman Bertie from August 1950 until April 1955, Peter Ward from March 1956, and Snowy Gray from July 1956 until February 1959.

He rode his first winner, Betsy May, 20/1, at Yarmouth on Tuesday 15 September, 1953.

Brian was a prolific and consistent winner. Big races won included the Dante Stakes, Scarborough Stakes (Lucky Brief), Andy Capp Handicap, Molecomb Stakes, Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy (3 times), Brocklesby, Hyperion Stakes, Thirsk Classic Trial and the Northern Free Handicap. He also rode the lightning-fast Cheb's Lad to win the Group 2 Champagne Stakes.

Because of a leg injury sustained the previous year, Brian quit riding in August, 1976.

He then spent three years in charge of Singapore's apprentice school and returned to Britain in 1985 to succeed Johnny Gilbert as chief instructor at the British Racing School in Newmarket.

He lived at 1, Alexandra Drive, Victoria Road, Beverley and, on January 24, 1961, married Irene Robinson. She gave him a son, Nicholas Brian (who would go on to be a jockey).

Brian rode most of his winners at Redcar and it was his favourite course. He nominated Scarborough Stakes winner, Lucky Brief, as the best he's ridden.

His best season came in 1962 with 42 winners. He enjoyed hunting and show jumping.

In a 26-year  career as a jockey, Brian rode some 600 winners. 

He finished fourth in the 1965 Irish Derby on 25-1 chance Ballymarais.

He endured a bypass operation after suffering a heart attack in the late eighties. 

Brian rode the lead horse to Pinza in all the gallops before the latter's victories in the Derby and King George.

At York, on his 23rd birthday, he rode his first winner since losing his allowance two days earlier.

He died on April 5, 2020, aged 84.

Biggest wins

1962: Dante Stakes – Lucky Brief

1962: Andy Capp Handicap – Initial 

1962: Northern Goldsmith’s Handicap – Sovereign Star 

1964: Northern Goldsmith’s Handicap – Northern Deamon 

1965: Molecomb Stakes – Reet Lad 

1967: Hyperion Stakes – Cheb’s Lad

1967: Champagne Stakes – Cheb’s Lad 

1967: Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy – Cheb’s Lad

1968: Thirsk Classic Trial – Cheb’s Lad