Peter Gunn
Gary Peter Gunn – he rode under his second Christian name – was born on November 4, 1956, the son of a Nottinghamshire miner. He served his apprenticeship in Newmarket, initially with Bill Holden, followed by one year with Mick Ryan.
Gary Peter Gunn – he rode under his second Christian name – was born on November 4, 1956, the son of a Nottinghamshire miner. He served his apprenticeship in Newmarket, initially with Bill Holden, followed by one year with Mick Ryan.
Peter rode first winner on 20-1 outsider British Warm, trained by Holden, in the Marina Selling Handicap at Yarmouth on July 3, 1975, beating Kipper Lynch on Price Jay by a neck. He rode one more winner that season, seven in 1976 and twelve in 1977.
Peter rode first winner on 20-1 outsider British Warm, trained by Holden, in the Marina Selling Handicap at Yarmouth on July 3, 1975, beating Kipper Lynch on Price Jay by a neck. He rode one more winner that season, seven in 1976 and twelve in 1977.
He completed his apprenticeship in November 1980 and went on to enjoy his most successful season in 1982 with 15 winners.
He completed his apprenticeship in November 1980 and went on to enjoy his most successful season in 1982 with 15 winners.
He rated the best horse he rode as the Hugh Collingridge-trained Buzzards Bay. Peter rode him in six races during 1981, winning four of them, namely the Millers Mile at Beverley, the John and Jane Winter Handicap at Yarmouth, and the Charlton Handicap at Goodwood, all in July, followed by the Clyde Handicap at Hamilton in September.
He rated the best horse he rode as the Hugh Collingridge-trained Buzzards Bay. Peter rode him in six races during 1981, winning four of them, namely the Millers Mile at Beverley, the John and Jane Winter Handicap at Yarmouth, and the Charlton Handicap at Goodwood, all in July, followed by the Clyde Handicap at Hamilton in September.
Peter also rode him in his first two starts of the 1982 season, finishing third at Leicester in April and then second in the Sporting Chronicle Spring Handicap at Haydock on May 3, beaten three-quarters of a length by Lester Piggott on Lafontaine. Those were the last occasions on which he rode Buzzards Bay, with better-known jockeys Joe Mercer and Walter Swinburn taking over for the horse’s high-profile victories in that year’s Royal Hunt Cup and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
Peter also rode him in his first two starts of the 1982 season, finishing third at Leicester in April and then second in the Sporting Chronicle Spring Handicap at Haydock on May 3, beaten three-quarters of a length by Lester Piggott on Lafontaine. Those were the last occasions on which he rode Buzzards Bay, with better-known jockeys Joe Mercer and Walter Swinburn taking over for the horse’s high-profile victories in that year’s Royal Hunt Cup and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
Peter nominated his win in the Cyprus Derby as the best of his career. He retired from race-riding in 1988.
Peter nominated his win in the Cyprus Derby as the best of his career. He retired from race-riding in 1988.