Hector Gray
1885 – 1957
1885 – 1957
Born on 18th November 1885 in Albert Town, Otago, Hector Edwards Gray was without doubt the finest New Zealand jockey of his time. The family moved to Normanby, Taranaki where, as a schoolboy, Gray showed immense promise as an athlete. He was selected to represent his country in a team visit to England but was refused permission for the trip by his father, Joseph, who also frowned upon his son becoming a jockey. This was rather surprising as he (Joseph) was a noted horse-breaker and trainer of young horses himself.
Born on 18th November 1885 in Albert Town, Otago, Hector Edwards Gray was without doubt the finest New Zealand jockey of his time. The family moved to Normanby, Taranaki where, as a schoolboy, Gray showed immense promise as an athlete. He was selected to represent his country in a team visit to England but was refused permission for the trip by his father, Joseph, who also frowned upon his son becoming a jockey. This was rather surprising as he (Joseph) was a noted horse-breaker and trainer of young horses himself.
Unbeknown to his parents, the young Hector played truant from school to ride work for Thomas Paget at Stratford. He had his first ride on October 2nd 1902 at Wanganui before riding a winning treble at a meeting at Patea. It was then that his father learned of the fledgling jockey’s other life, and, relenting, agreed that Hector could join the stable of Taranaki trainer Jervis George. Hector flourished during his time there and, having finished his apprenticeship, left for Auckland.
Unbeknown to his parents, the young Hector played truant from school to ride work for Thomas Paget at Stratford. He had his first ride on October 2nd 1902 at Wanganui before riding a winning treble at a meeting at Patea. It was then that his father learned of the fledgling jockey’s other life, and, relenting, agreed that Hector could join the stable of Taranaki trainer Jervis George. Hector flourished during his time there and, having finished his apprenticeship, left for Auckland.
While Hector’s career was marked with much success, dubious riding practices had begun to creep in. He was subjected to a series of suspensions and faced rumours that he deliberately lost races; he was also accused of intimidating other jockeys. Friends claimed he was victimised by those jealous of his continuing success.
While Hector’s career was marked with much success, dubious riding practices had begun to creep in. He was subjected to a series of suspensions and faced rumours that he deliberately lost races; he was also accused of intimidating other jockeys. Friends claimed he was victimised by those jealous of his continuing success.
In 1909, Gray received a two-year suspension: allegedly he had prevented a pony named Mighty Atom from doing its best in a race. He worked on a farm during the suspension, which was lifted the following year and despite having missed the first three months of the season, still finished up as leading jockey with 64 wins.
In 1909, Gray received a two-year suspension: allegedly he had prevented a pony named Mighty Atom from doing its best in a race. He worked on a farm during the suspension, which was lifted the following year and despite having missed the first three months of the season, still finished up as leading jockey with 64 wins.
Hector Gray returning on 1923 Ebor Winner Flint Jack
Hector Gray returning on 1923 Ebor Winner Flint Jack
He moved to Australia in 1914, but old habits die hard and he was soon in trouble again. Having won the Essendon Stakes and Australian Cup in Melbourne on a horse called Wallolo, he was suspended for two years for alleged ‘inconsistent running’ when Wallolo finished third in another race.
He moved to Australia in 1914, but old habits die hard and he was soon in trouble again. Having won the Essendon Stakes and Australian Cup in Melbourne on a horse called Wallolo, he was suspended for two years for alleged ‘inconsistent running’ when Wallolo finished third in another race.
Having served his ban, Gray returned to New Zealand to an unexpected hero’s welcome. He repaid this adulation by winning the leading jockey’s title in 1918, 1919 and 1921, the year he left for England, where he rode 21 winners in 1921, 34 in 1922 and 19 in 1923, which included Flint Jack in the Ebor.
Having served his ban, Gray returned to New Zealand to an unexpected hero’s welcome. He repaid this adulation by winning the leading jockey’s title in 1918, 1919 and 1921, the year he left for England, where he rode 21 winners in 1921, 34 in 1922 and 19 in 1923, which included Flint Jack in the Ebor.
Like many Flat jockeys of the period, Gray rode occasionally over jumps. His only win was at Newbury on December 29, 1922, when his mount White Satin dead-heated for first place in the Juvenile Hurdle with Gerald D, ridden by Frank Wootton, with Eastern Bell, the mount of George Duller, two lengths away in third place. Hector’s final ride over jumps ended in a fall from King’s Coat at Gatwick on January 4, 1923, in the Reigate Handicap Hurdle.
Like many Flat jockeys of the period, Gray rode occasionally over jumps. His only win was at Newbury on December 29, 1922, when his mount White Satin dead-heated for first place in the Juvenile Hurdle with Gerald D, ridden by Frank Wootton, with Eastern Bell, the mount of George Duller, two lengths away in third place. Hector’s final ride over jumps ended in a fall from King’s Coat at Gatwick on January 4, 1923, in the Reigate Handicap Hurdle.
Once again, in 1923, he returned to New Zealand, but – in less than two years – he had once again been suspended, this time for life. He was in his mid-forties when the sentence was remitted. He resumed riding three months into the season, yet, once again, finished up the leading rider with 75 wins. It was the sixth time he had been champion jockey. He took the title again the following season, his 116 winners being the first time a New Zealand jockey had ridden more than a hundred.
Once again, in 1923, he returned to New Zealand, but – in less than two years – he had once again been suspended, this time for life. He was in his mid-forties when the sentence was remitted. He resumed riding three months into the season, yet, once again, finished up the leading rider with 75 wins. It was the sixth time he had been champion jockey. He took the title again the following season, his 116 winners being the first time a New Zealand jockey had ridden more than a hundred.
Gray was his own worst enemy – he was suspended the following season for alleged race-fixing at a Dargaville meeting and this time life meant life. He never rode again. He turned to training, first at New Plymouth, then at Takanini.
Gray was his own worst enemy – he was suspended the following season for alleged race-fixing at a Dargaville meeting and this time life meant life. He never rode again. He turned to training, first at New Plymouth, then at Takanini.
A natural winner, Hector Gray was an especially crooked rider, even at a time when the racing industry was neither clean nor properly policed. He was also one of the greatest riders ever to climb into a saddle.
A natural winner, Hector Gray was an especially crooked rider, even at a time when the racing industry was neither clean nor properly policed. He was also one of the greatest riders ever to climb into a saddle.
He died in Auckland on March 8th, 1957, survived by his son.
He died in Auckland on March 8th, 1957, survived by his son.
Gray had married Ellen Mary Pitt at Auckland on 20th January 1908. They had a son, Joseph, named after Hector’s father. They were divorced in 1929. He remarried on 19th March 1930 to Ruby Maud Paterson at Wellington. Ruby had divorced her first husband, James Hay, two years earlier. Hector and Ruby had no children.
Gray had married Ellen Mary Pitt at Auckland on 20th January 1908. They had a son, Joseph, named after Hector’s father. They were divorced in 1929. He remarried on 19th March 1930 to Ruby Maud Paterson at Wellington. Ruby had divorced her first husband, James Hay, two years earlier. Hector and Ruby had no children.