Anson Gonsalves

Anson Gonsalves

Article by Alan Trout

Anson Gonsalves had a measure of success over hurdles in the mid-1970s, winning nine races, including four on Asdic and four on the wayward Levaramoss.

Born on April 4, 1953, he served a five-year apprenticeship with leading trainer Staff Ingham at Epsom and had his first ride on fellow debutant Trooper in the Aurelius Hurdle at Ascot on September 18, 1972, finishing unplaced. 

Anson got off the mark on the first day of 1973 when Bird Of Passage proved too good for Clive Candy’s mount Melody Hill in a match for the Russell Selling Hurdle at Windsor, the winning distance being five lengths. The four-year-old never ran again and Anson had to wait until November 5, 1975 for his second success. It came at Newbury when the four-year-old Asdic, having survived a mistake at the first flight, soon took the lead and went on to win the Ash Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) by 12 lengths. 

Trained by Staff Ingham, Asdic was making his debut over jumps, and soon made it two from two when landing the Panama Cigar Hurdle qualifier at Warwick ten days later, again making nearly all the running and beating Paper Chase by three lengths. The hat-trick was achieved in no uncertain style when Asdic, despite hitting the last, stayed on for an all the way success in the Garswood Pattern Hurdle at Haydock Park on November 27. 

The pair recorded their fourth consecutive win at Kempton Park on Boxing Day in the Oakleigh Novices’ Hurdle. As usual, Asdic was not foot perfect, but he again led all the way and beat Wilmore by two lengths. 

The Golden Miller Pattern Hurdle at Leicester on January 12 was next, but after leading to the sixth flight Asdic weakened rapidly and finished last of the five runners. Anson ended the season with just those four wins from 13 rides. 

His first victory of the 1976/77 season was on another horse making his debut over jumps, the enigmatic Levaramoss. Despite making mistakes at the last two flights, he ran on to take the Spring Hurdle at Kempton Park on November 17 by 12 lengths. Nine days later the winning margin was a comfortable six lengths as Levaramoss took the Freshman’s Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury. 

Ron Barry then took over in the saddle but was unplaced in the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow on December 22. Anson regained the ride and registered the eighth win of his career in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown Park on January 8, 1977. This time Levaramoss had to battle from the last flight to beat John Francome on Rathconrath by a length and a half. 

Following a good third place in the ‘Yellow Pages’ Hurdle at Kempton Park in February, Anson and Levaramoss contested the Daily Express-sponsored Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 17 but they were unplaced. 

Next came another good third place in the Weetabix Hurdle at Liverpool on April 1, before Levaramoss began to demonstrate his wayward tendencies for the first time on a racecourse when virtually refusing to start at Fontwell Park on May 2. However, he was on his best behaviour back at Fontwell on December 28 when giving Anson his final victory in the valuable Salmon Spray Hurdle, making all and beating the odds-on favourite Kybo by three lengths. 

Five days later he refused to race at Windsor, after which he was transferred to Mick Bolton’s stable, from where he did the same thing in his next race and was reluctant to start in his other two, including the 1978 Champion Hurdle, Roger Rowell being the unfortunate jockey. 

The week after that year’s Cheltenham Festival, on March 25, 1978, Anson had his final ride at Fontwell Park when Kabuto was last of six finishers in the Hallands Selling Handicap Hurdle.

Andon Gonsalves’ winners were, in chronological order:

1. Bird Of Passage, January 1, 1973

2. Asdic, Newbury, November 5, 1975

3. Asdic, Warwick, November 15, 1975

4. Asdic, Haydock Park, November 27, 1975

5. Asdic, Kempton Park, December 26, 1975 

6. Levaramoss, Kempton Park, November 17, 1976

7. Levaramoss, Newbury, November 26, 1976

8. Levaramoss, Sandown Park, January 8, 1977

9. Levaramoss, Fontwell Park, December 28, 1977