Ken Glover
On Friday, July 31, 1953, at Catterick, Ken Glover weighed out for the first time.
On Friday, July 31, 1953, at Catterick, Ken Glover weighed out for the first time.
Red-haired Ken, then a 15-year-old apprentice from Harrogate, stood just 4 ft., and weighed 3 st. 10 lb.
Red-haired Ken, then a 15-year-old apprentice from Harrogate, stood just 4 ft., and weighed 3 st. 10 lb.
He rode Musthearn in the Apprentice Handicap and finished fifth. Musthearn's trainer, Harold Storey - who sent out horses from Sunny Bank Farm Stables, Carnforth - had to help Ken onto the scales before the race and, afterwards, carry the saddle back to the weighing room.
He rode Musthearn in the Apprentice Handicap and finished fifth. Musthearn's trainer, Harold Storey - who sent out horses from Sunny Bank Farm Stables, Carnforth - had to help Ken onto the scales before the race and, afterwards, carry the saddle back to the weighing room.
Musthearn's weight in the race was 6 st. 1 lb., which meant the horse had to carry about 26 lb. dead weight.
Musthearn's weight in the race was 6 st. 1 lb., which meant the horse had to carry about 26 lb. dead weight.
Fellow apprentice H. Sawyer was originally booked to ride, but was replaced at the last minute by Ken.
Fellow apprentice H. Sawyer was originally booked to ride, but was replaced at the last minute by Ken.
40 rides later - and six inches taller - Ken at last won a race when making all the running in an apprentice handicap on 25/1 shot Knees Bend (Weds, 11 July, 1956).
40 rides later - and six inches taller - Ken at last won a race when making all the running in an apprentice handicap on 25/1 shot Knees Bend (Weds, 11 July, 1956).
His joy was short-lived: in a later race that afternoon he incurred the displeasure of the stewards by the exuberant and frequent use of his whip when riding Silverbush into third place behind King of Pippins, and was duly reprimanded.
His joy was short-lived: in a later race that afternoon he incurred the displeasure of the stewards by the exuberant and frequent use of his whip when riding Silverbush into third place behind King of Pippins, and was duly reprimanded.
At the end of 1957, Ken's indentures were transferred to Avril Vasey at Middleham.
At the end of 1957, Ken's indentures were transferred to Avril Vasey at Middleham.
He rode 16 winners during the 1960 season. Bearing in mind that he broke a thigh at the Manchester November Handicap meeting in 1959, which kept him out until the following May, then - on his first ride in public for six months - he injured the same leg again, his 16 winners was a remarkable achievement.Â
He rode 16 winners during the 1960 season. Bearing in mind that he broke a thigh at the Manchester November Handicap meeting in 1959, which kept him out until the following May, then - on his first ride in public for six months - he injured the same leg again, his 16 winners was a remarkable achievement.Â
That second injury, coming when it did, could have finished off many a young career: not so with Ken who went out and won his very next race (at Doncaster).
That second injury, coming when it did, could have finished off many a young career: not so with Ken who went out and won his very next race (at Doncaster).
At best, though, his career could be described as mediocre: he rode mediocre horses in mediocre races with mediocre results. He might well be described as the quiet man of racing.
At best, though, his career could be described as mediocre: he rode mediocre horses in mediocre races with mediocre results. He might well be described as the quiet man of racing.
He achieved his biggest success on Harvest Gold in the 1963 Cumberland Plate at Carlisle.
He achieved his biggest success on Harvest Gold in the 1963 Cumberland Plate at Carlisle.