Peter Caldwell 

Jumps jockey Peter Harvey Caldwell was born in Warrington on January 28, 1964, the son of trainer Terry Caldwell. He was taught to ride by former jockey Don Plant and served his apprenticeship with Cumbrian trainers Gordon W. Richards and Roger Fisher.

He rode his first winner on Roger Fisher’s 13-year-old selling hurdler Caleta Prince at Wetherby on Easter Monday, April 20, 1981. Throughout his career he rode mainly for his father. His younger brother Pat also rode as a professional over jumps.

Peter’s career was ended by a broken back when brought down on his father’s horse Fion Corn between the last two flights in a Hexham novices’ hurdle on September 30, 1994.

In December 2000, in what was believed to be the first case of its kind, he sued two fellow jockeys, Adrian Maguire and Mick Fitzgerald, who had finished first and third in that Hexham race, for alleged negligence and causing the fall which ended his career.

His claim for damages failed. In February 2001, Mr Justice Holland, sitting at the High Court in Leeds, said the two jockeys were guilty of “lapses of care” but their riding had not been reckless or intentional and did not constitute negligence.

He added: “This incident reflected the cut and thrust of serious horseracing. In theory avoidable but in practice something that is bound to occur from time to time, no matter how careful is the standard of riding.”

Granting Caldwell leave to appeal, the judge expressed his sympathy but noted that no other such claim has been prosecuted in this country. “Injury was part of the life that he chose and enjoyed – what was unusual was its seriousness.”