Article by Alan Trout
National Hunt jockey Malcolm Graham Bridges rode just one winner, that being at Stratford on February 7, 1959. The race was the Winter Junior Selling Hurdle, which resulted in a comfortable five-length victory for the grey gelding Pilgrim Father, owned and trained by Bob Turnell.
The five-year-old was having his first run over hurdles and managed only one third place in four subsequent outings. Malcolm was on board for the first three of those but was eventually replaced by David Nicholson.
Malcolm renewed his licence for the 1959/60 season but had few opportunities. However, Pilgrim Father went on to achieve a small place in racing history when, trained then by Ben Lay, he won a Warwick selling hurdle on January 30, 1960, to provide Jeff King with his first win of what would become an illustrious career over jumps.
