Chris Grassick
Chris Grassick
Chris Grassick
Christopher (Chris) Grassick had ridden four winners in his native Ireland before moving to Scotland in the autumn of 1949 and joining trainer Stewart Wight, based at Grantshouse, Berwickshire. His wins earlier that year had included Griffenrath in the Portmarnock Chase at Baldoyle in March, and two victories on Top Wave in the Sarawaki Cup Chase at Killarney in July and the Lake Handicap Chase at Mullingar in August. He rode 100-1 Arden Link in that year’s Irish Grand National but was among the four fallers.
Christopher (Chris) Grassick had ridden four winners in his native Ireland before moving to Scotland in the autumn of 1949 and joining trainer Stewart Wight, based at Grantshouse, Berwickshire. His wins earlier that year had included Griffenrath in the Portmarnock Chase at Baldoyle in March, and two victories on Top Wave in the Sarawaki Cup Chase at Killarney in July and the Lake Handicap Chase at Mullingar in August. He rode 100-1 Arden Link in that year’s Irish Grand National but was among the four fallers.
Chris rode as Wight’s second jockey behind Dick Curran for the 1949/50 campaign and did reasonably well with twelve wins from 64 mounts. His first British success came at Hexham on October 2, when Russian Lynx won the Blackhill Handicap Chase by a length. It was the ten-year-old’s first start of the season and he went on to win four more races, partnered by Chris in one of them.
Chris rode as Wight’s second jockey behind Dick Curran for the 1949/50 campaign and did reasonably well with twelve wins from 64 mounts. His first British success came at Hexham on October 2, when Russian Lynx won the Blackhill Handicap Chase by a length. It was the ten-year-old’s first start of the season and he went on to win four more races, partnered by Chris in one of them.
Following a second victory on Bruno II in the Jed Forest Handicap Chase at Kelso in March 1950, Chris enjoyed a fine run during May with ten wins in 27 days. It began with three wins at Kelso’s two-day fixture at the start of the month and ended with a flourish at Hexham’s Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend meeting with a double on the Saturday and a treble on the Monday, three of the five winners being trained by Stewart Wight.
Following a second victory on Bruno II in the Jed Forest Handicap Chase at Kelso in March 1950, Chris enjoyed a fine run during May with ten wins in 27 days. It began with three wins at Kelso’s two-day fixture at the start of the month and ended with a flourish at Hexham’s Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend meeting with a double on the Saturday and a treble on the Monday, three of the five winners being trained by Stewart Wight.
His winning tally dropped to just five from 57 mounts for the 1950/51 season, and that lack of progress may have been the reason he returned to Ireland before the campaign was over and joined forces with trainer Jimmy Brogan. He rode his ‘comeback’ winner for him in Ireland on Trade On in a Kilbeggan maiden hurdle on May 7, then two weeks later registered a double at Mullingar aboard Trade On and another Brogan-trained horse, Decerino.
His winning tally dropped to just five from 57 mounts for the 1950/51 season, and that lack of progress may have been the reason he returned to Ireland before the campaign was over and joined forces with trainer Jimmy Brogan. He rode his ‘comeback’ winner for him in Ireland on Trade On in a Kilbeggan maiden hurdle on May 7, then two weeks later registered a double at Mullingar aboard Trade On and another Brogan-trained horse, Decerino.
The return to Ireland did Chris no harm, for he enjoyed a successful 1951/52 campaign, reaching double figures for the season, including a double at Down Royal in March on hurdlers Irish Reports and Deacon Jones, again both trained by Jimmy Brogan. He rode 25-1 shot Tavoy in the 1952 Irish Grand National, completing the course but towards the rear.
The return to Ireland did Chris no harm, for he enjoyed a successful 1951/52 campaign, reaching double figures for the season, including a double at Down Royal in March on hurdlers Irish Reports and Deacon Jones, again both trained by Jimmy Brogan. He rode 25-1 shot Tavoy in the 1952 Irish Grand National, completing the course but towards the rear.
His association with Brogan meant that the 1952/53 season was almost as successful, his victories including the Drogheda Tradesmen’s Handicap Hurdle at Dundalk on Royal Bridge, and two wins on handicap chaser Can I Go at Leopardstown in January and Baldoyle in February.
His association with Brogan meant that the 1952/53 season was almost as successful, his victories including the Drogheda Tradesmen’s Handicap Hurdle at Dundalk on Royal Bridge, and two wins on handicap chaser Can I Go at Leopardstown in January and Baldoyle in February.
By then, his visits to Britain were infrequent, however he registered his most important success when Irish raider Free Lancer, trained by Dan Moore, won the Hurst Park Grand National Trial in March 1953, beating Stalbridge Rock, partnered by leading amateur rider Bob McCreery, by three lengths. Chris rode him next time out when finishing seventh in the Irish Grand National.
By then, his visits to Britain were infrequent, however he registered his most important success when Irish raider Free Lancer, trained by Dan Moore, won the Hurst Park Grand National Trial in March 1953, beating Stalbridge Rock, partnered by leading amateur rider Bob McCreery, by three lengths. Chris rode him next time out when finishing seventh in the Irish Grand National.
He did return at least once more thereafter, when partnering Red Earth in the 1955 Imperial Cup at Sandown. Having led all the way until approaching two out, they faded to finish tenth of the 32 runners.
He did return at least once more thereafter, when partnering Red Earth in the 1955 Imperial Cup at Sandown. Having led all the way until approaching two out, they faded to finish tenth of the 32 runners.
He had his final Irish Grand National ride in 1957, when falling on 33-1 outsider Solwink.
He had his final Irish Grand National ride in 1957, when falling on 33-1 outsider Solwink.
Chris Grassick’s British winners were, in chronological order:
Chris Grassick’s British winners were, in chronological order:
1. Russian Lynx, Hexham, October 2, 1949
1. Russian Lynx, Hexham, October 2, 1949
2. Bruno II, Kelso, March 4, 1950
2. Bruno II, Kelso, March 4, 1950
3. Russian Lynx, Kelso, May 2, 1950
3. Russian Lynx, Kelso, May 2, 1950
4. Morocco Boy, Kelso, May 2, 1950
4. Morocco Boy, Kelso, May 2, 1950
5. Gold Bond, Kelso, May 3, 1950
5. Gold Bond, Kelso, May 3, 1950
6. Indian Prince, Hexham, May 6, 1950
6. Indian Prince, Hexham, May 6, 1950
7. The Reef, Hexham, May 8, 1950
7. The Reef, Hexham, May 8, 1950
8. Indian Prince, Hexham, May 27, 1950
8. Indian Prince, Hexham, May 27, 1950
9. Cardinal Error, Hexham, May 27, 1950
9. Cardinal Error, Hexham, May 27, 1950
10. Gold Bond, Hexham, May 29, 1950
10. Gold Bond, Hexham, May 29, 1950
11. Astara, Hexham, May 29, 1950
11. Astara, Hexham, May 29, 1950
12. Sonkin, Hexham, May 29, 1950
12. Sonkin, Hexham, May 29, 1950
13. Greenlees, Perth, September 21, 1950
13. Greenlees, Perth, September 21, 1950
14. Greenlees, Ayr, October 11, 1950
14. Greenlees, Ayr, October 11, 1950
15. Folly Hope, Catterick Bridge, February 3, 1951
15. Folly Hope, Catterick Bridge, February 3, 1951
16. Royal Trio, Catterick Bridge, March 2, 1951
16. Royal Trio, Catterick Bridge, March 2, 1951
17. Edgewood, Kelso, March 3, 1951
17. Edgewood, Kelso, March 3, 1951
18. Free Lancer, Hurst Park, March 7, 1953
18. Free Lancer, Hurst Park, March 7, 1953
1953: Chris wins Hurst Park's Grand National trial on Free Lancer