Vic Gardner
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Born in 1933, Victor William Gardner was the son of Ted Gardner, who was one-time jockey to Lord Derby and later became a bookmaker.
Born in 1933, Victor William Gardner was the son of Ted Gardner, who was one-time jockey to Lord Derby and later became a bookmaker.
Vic was apprenticed to George Todd at Manton and his first three wins came on the same horse, Makoko, at Yarmouth (14 September 1949), York (5 October 1949) and Newmarket (13 April, 1950).
Vic was apprenticed to George Todd at Manton and his first three wins came on the same horse, Makoko, at Yarmouth (14 September 1949), York (5 October 1949) and Newmarket (13 April, 1950).
In 1955, Vic rode eleven winners from just 44 mounts.
In 1955, Vic rode eleven winners from just 44 mounts.
Easily the most important of those was the two-mile three-furlong Goodwood Stakes aboard George Todd's good handicapper French Design.
Easily the most important of those was the two-mile three-furlong Goodwood Stakes aboard George Todd's good handicapper French Design.
Vic completed his apprenticeship at the end of that year but retained his association with George Todd’s stable. He rode five winners in 1956, but only two in 1957 and just one in 1958.
Vic completed his apprenticeship at the end of that year but retained his association with George Todd’s stable. He rode five winners in 1956, but only two in 1957 and just one in 1958.
Vic then endured a five-year barren spell before riding the last winner of his career, Todd’s four-year-old gelding Augury in the Bridge Maiden Plate at Bath on Wednesday, August 7, 1963. He relinquished his licence in 1964.
Vic then endured a five-year barren spell before riding the last winner of his career, Todd’s four-year-old gelding Augury in the Bridge Maiden Plate at Bath on Wednesday, August 7, 1963. He relinquished his licence in 1964.