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1907 - 1934
1907 - 1934
By John Turley
By John Turley
The devastating, injuries suffered by J T McNamara at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival rocked the close-knit National Hunt community. Just over 70 years ago another amateur rider, Alan Heber-Percy, also paid the ultimate price in the pursuit of glory at jumping’s greatest meeting.
The devastating, injuries suffered by J T McNamara at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival rocked the close-knit National Hunt community. Just over 70 years ago another amateur rider, Alan Heber-Percy, also paid the ultimate price in the pursuit of glory at jumping’s greatest meeting.
Born on 4th May 1907 into a privileged setting and a cousin of the Duke of Northumberland, Alan Charles Heber-Percy was educated at Eton before moving on to the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. By 1934 he was serving as a Lieutenant in the Welsh Guards and considered a promising amateur jockey, honing his riding skills on Newmarket Heath with the team of respected trainer Tom Leader. His best moment under rules had been in winning a Hunters’ Chase on his own horse Keen Blade at the Sandown Grand Military meeting. Keen Blade went on to become a useful stayer, winning decent staying chases and finishing runner-up the Scottish National.
Born on 4th May 1907 into a privileged setting and a cousin of the Duke of Northumberland, Alan Charles Heber-Percy was educated at Eton before moving on to the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. By 1934 he was serving as a Lieutenant in the Welsh Guards and considered a promising amateur jockey, honing his riding skills on Newmarket Heath with the team of respected trainer Tom Leader. His best moment under rules had been in winning a Hunters’ Chase on his own horse Keen Blade at the Sandown Grand Military meeting. Keen Blade went on to become a useful stayer, winning decent staying chases and finishing runner-up the Scottish National.
In 1934 the four-mile National Hunt Chase was still the most valuable race of the big meeting at Cheltenham, with winning prize money almost double that of the Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle. It was the first year that the BBC had filmed the meeting and the Corporation opted to broadcast just the one race on 7th March 1934, the National Hunt Chase.
In 1934 the four-mile National Hunt Chase was still the most valuable race of the big meeting at Cheltenham, with winning prize money almost double that of the Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle. It was the first year that the BBC had filmed the meeting and the Corporation opted to broadcast just the one race on 7th March 1934, the National Hunt Chase.
Heber-Percy, aged 26, was on board 33/1 outsider Killadar as the twenty-six runners lined up at the start of the marathon. He must have held hopes of a good ride as he had already won two point-to-points on the horse. But they got no further than the first fence, where a crashing fall left Heber-Percy with fatal skull injuries. He died immediately.
Heber-Percy, aged 26, was on board 33/1 outsider Killadar as the twenty-six runners lined up at the start of the marathon. He must have held hopes of a good ride as he had already won two point-to-points on the horse. But they got no further than the first fence, where a crashing fall left Heber-Percy with fatal skull injuries. He died immediately.
The anguish of Heber-Percy’s family was heightened as his parents had recently banished him from their home following a scandal. His younger brother Robert, also an amateur rider, had sensed ill-luck earlier in the day when driving under a bridge while a train was passing overhead. For the rest of his life, Robert would stop his car if he saw a train approaching.
The anguish of Heber-Percy’s family was heightened as his parents had recently banished him from their home following a scandal. His younger brother Robert, also an amateur rider, had sensed ill-luck earlier in the day when driving under a bridge while a train was passing overhead. For the rest of his life, Robert would stop his car if he saw a train approaching.
Alan Heber-Percy is buried near the family home, Hodnet Hall in Shropshire. His funeral was marked by the singing of hymns written by his great-grandfather Bishop Reginald Heber.
Alan Heber-Percy is buried near the family home, Hodnet Hall in Shropshire. His funeral was marked by the singing of hymns written by his great-grandfather Bishop Reginald Heber.
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