Simon Griffiths
1962 - 2016
1962 - 2016
Yorkshire-based Flat jockey Simon Peter Griffiths was born on July 8, 1962. He served the first three years of his apprenticeship with Steve Nesbitt. He rode his first winner on Lunar Wind at Ripon for Richmond trainer Denis Yeoman on June 24, 1981. Following Nesbitt’s death early in 1982, his widow Myra took over the trainer’s licence.
Yorkshire-based Flat jockey Simon Peter Griffiths was born on July 8, 1962. He served the first three years of his apprenticeship with Steve Nesbitt. He rode his first winner on Lunar Wind at Ripon for Richmond trainer Denis Yeoman on June 24, 1981. Following Nesbitt’s death early in 1982, his widow Myra took over the trainer’s licence.
The horse which got Simon’s career going was sprinter Karen’s Star, on whom he won the Friends of the Variety Club Handicap at Ripon on August 14, 1982, when the horse was trained Mrs Nesbitt. David Chapman took over the training of Karen’s Star the following year and Simon joined Chapman’s yard to complete his apprenticeship. He rode Karen’s Star to victory at Hamilton on October 18, 1983.
The horse which got Simon’s career going was sprinter Karen’s Star, on whom he won the Friends of the Variety Club Handicap at Ripon on August 14, 1982, when the horse was trained Mrs Nesbitt. David Chapman took over the training of Karen’s Star the following year and Simon joined Chapman’s yard to complete his apprenticeship. He rode Karen’s Star to victory at Hamilton on October 18, 1983.
Simon rode 10 winners in 1984, three of which came courtesy of Karen’s Star in sprint handicaps, namely: the Hansa Lager Sprint Cup at Redcar on June 23; the Directors Trophy at Thirsk on August 4; and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Cup at Hamilton on September 25. The partnership also finished second, beaten three-quarters of a length, in Doncaster’s Portland Handicap.
Simon rode 10 winners in 1984, three of which came courtesy of Karen’s Star in sprint handicaps, namely: the Hansa Lager Sprint Cup at Redcar on June 23; the Directors Trophy at Thirsk on August 4; and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Cup at Hamilton on September 25. The partnership also finished second, beaten three-quarters of a length, in Doncaster’s Portland Handicap.
Despite his successes on Karen’s Star, Simon nominated Ray Peacock’s Rushmoor, which he rode in the 1984 Northumberland Plate, as the best he’d ridden.
Despite his successes on Karen’s Star, Simon nominated Ray Peacock’s Rushmoor, which he rode in the 1984 Northumberland Plate, as the best he’d ridden.
Once his apprenticeship had ended in 1985, he continued to ride for David Chapman and also had a spell working for Tom Tate. His last season with a jockey’s licence was 1991.
Once his apprenticeship had ended in 1985, he continued to ride for David Chapman and also had a spell working for Tom Tate. His last season with a jockey’s licence was 1991.
He took out a licence to train a small string near Easingwold in 2003 and sent out a dozen winners until he retired in 2013. His best horse was Count Cougar, whom he saddled to win five times in 2007.
He took out a licence to train a small string near Easingwold in 2003 and sent out a dozen winners until he retired in 2013. His best horse was Count Cougar, whom he saddled to win five times in 2007.
After relinquishing his trainer’s licence, Simon began suffering pain in his shoulder when he was riding or walking horses. He also began to suffer from mental instability brought on by concerns about his finances and his long-term livelihood. His worries about his ability to earn money left him low. Looking to end his life, he took two overdoses. He was detained under the Mental Health Act in hospital after the first instance, only to take a smaller overdose later.
After relinquishing his trainer’s licence, Simon began suffering pain in his shoulder when he was riding or walking horses. He also began to suffer from mental instability brought on by concerns about his finances and his long-term livelihood. His worries about his ability to earn money left him low. Looking to end his life, he took two overdoses. He was detained under the Mental Health Act in hospital after the first instance, only to take a smaller overdose later.
In October 2016, his body was discovered at his home by the daughter of his long-term partner Elizabeth Grant.
In October 2016, his body was discovered at his home by the daughter of his long-term partner Elizabeth Grant.
The inquest in April 2017 confirmed that he had hanged himself after struggling with mental illness. A verdict that he killed himself while the balance of his mind was disturbed was recorded at a hearing at Scarborough Town Hall by the North Yorkshire East coroner.
The inquest in April 2017 confirmed that he had hanged himself after struggling with mental illness. A verdict that he killed himself while the balance of his mind was disturbed was recorded at a hearing at Scarborough Town Hall by the North Yorkshire East coroner.
Simon Griffiths was only 54 when he took his own life. Ironically, his partner revealed that he was due to start work as a seasonal stable manager at York racecourse and his finances were now back on track.
Simon Griffiths was only 54 when he took his own life. Ironically, his partner revealed that he was due to start work as a seasonal stable manager at York racecourse and his finances were now back on track.
Simon's first winner: Lunar Wind, Ripon, 24 June, 1981.
Simon's first winner: Lunar Wind, Ripon, 24 June, 1981.
Simon scores on Karen's Star, Hamilton, 18 October, 1983.
Simon scores on Karen's Star, Hamilton, 18 October, 1983.
Another victory on Karen's Star, Thirsk, 4 August, 1984.
Another victory on Karen's Star, Thirsk, 4 August, 1984.