Ray Groombridge
Ray Groombridge
Ray Groombridge
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Raymond Stewart (Ray) Groombridge had one winner on the Flat in 1925 and came back a decade later to have three over jumps.
Raymond Stewart (Ray) Groombridge had one winner on the Flat in 1925 and came back a decade later to have three over jumps.
Apprenticed to Captain John Renwick, who trained at Malton, in Yorkshire, he had his first ride when unplaced on Weeditit in the Musselburgh Selling Plate at Edinburgh (as Musselburgh was then known) on April 21, 1925, a race won by David McGuigan on his father’s Mount Florida.
Apprenticed to Captain John Renwick, who trained at Malton, in Yorkshire, he had his first ride when unplaced on Weeditit in the Musselburgh Selling Plate at Edinburgh (as Musselburgh was then known) on April 21, 1925, a race won by David McGuigan on his father’s Mount Florida.
It was at Carlisle on July 1 that year that he had his sole success on the Flat when Novo Monaste, carrying 3lb overweight at 6st 5lb, won the Lowther Apprentices’ Plate by an emphatic 15 lengths. A well-beaten second was Staffordshire Lass, ridden by Billy Nevett, just starting out on his long and highly successful career.
It was at Carlisle on July 1 that year that he had his sole success on the Flat when Novo Monaste, carrying 3lb overweight at 6st 5lb, won the Lowther Apprentices’ Plate by an emphatic 15 lengths. A well-beaten second was Staffordshire Lass, ridden by Billy Nevett, just starting out on his long and highly successful career.
Although Ray did have some more rides on the Flat, it was not until he took out a National Hunt licence that he tasted further success. His first ride over jumps was at Folkestone on September 11, 1933, when he finished third on Lumiae in the Shorncliffe Three-Year-Old Hurdle, and more than three years were to pass before he had his first win in that sphere.
Although Ray did have some more rides on the Flat, it was not until he took out a National Hunt licence that he tasted further success. His first ride over jumps was at Folkestone on September 11, 1933, when he finished third on Lumiae in the Shorncliffe Three-Year-Old Hurdle, and more than three years were to pass before he had his first win in that sphere.
It came at Lingfield Park on November 27, 1936, when Viligent, owned and trained by Walter Nightingall at Epsom, won the Cowden Selling Chase, beating Wool Park, the mount of future royal trainer Peter Cazalet, by three lengths.
It came at Lingfield Park on November 27, 1936, when Viligent, owned and trained by Walter Nightingall at Epsom, won the Cowden Selling Chase, beating Wool Park, the mount of future royal trainer Peter Cazalet, by three lengths.
It was not until March 17, 1938 that Ray scored again, when Lucky Bert won the Wye Selling Handicap Hurdle at that East Kent venue. It was a well-deserved success for both horse and jockey, as the four-year-old had finished second on his previous three starts, all with Ray on board. Back at Wye on April 5, they won again, this time taking the Novices’ Optional Selling Hurdle.
It was not until March 17, 1938 that Ray scored again, when Lucky Bert won the Wye Selling Handicap Hurdle at that East Kent venue. It was a well-deserved success for both horse and jockey, as the four-year-old had finished second on his previous three starts, all with Ray on board. Back at Wye on April 5, they won again, this time taking the Novices’ Optional Selling Hurdle.
Sadly, Ray did not retain the ride thereafter, and held a licence for just one more season, having ridden four winners altogether.
Sadly, Ray did not retain the ride thereafter, and held a licence for just one more season, having ridden four winners altogether.
Ray Groombridge’s winners were, in chronological order:
Ray Groombridge’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Novo Monaste, Carlisle, July 1, 1925
1. Novo Monaste, Carlisle, July 1, 1925
2. Viligent, Lingfield Park, November 27, 1936
2. Viligent, Lingfield Park, November 27, 1936
3. Lucky Bert, Wye, March 17, 1938
3. Lucky Bert, Wye, March 17, 1938
4. Lucky Bert, Wye, April 3, 1938
4. Lucky Bert, Wye, April 3, 1938
Ray's first winner over jumps: Viligent, Lingfield Park, November 27, 1936
Ray's first winner over jumps: Viligent, Lingfield Park, November 27, 1936