Brian Henry
Northern-based Brian Henry was born at Withnell, near Chorley, on November 2, 1939. He got into racing through a riding school near his home, where he used to earn a shilling for mucking out the horses. He managed to scrounge an occasional ride and, on leaving school, became apprenticed to Ted Gifford, who trained a small string at Skipton, Yorkshire.
Northern-based Brian Henry was born at Withnell, near Chorley, on November 2, 1939. He got into racing through a riding school near his home, where he used to earn a shilling for mucking out the horses. He managed to scrounge an occasional ride and, on leaving school, became apprenticed to Ted Gifford, who trained a small string at Skipton, Yorkshire.
Gifford gave Brian his first ride in public, Beau Navarre, in a six-furlong seller at Bogside on April 20, 1956, finishing unplaced. But with only a few horses in the yard, riding opportunities were limited, so Gifford sportingly transferred Brian’s apprentice indentures to Pat Taylor at Beverley. (Taylor had first taken out a trainer's licence in 1938 in France.)
Gifford gave Brian his first ride in public, Beau Navarre, in a six-furlong seller at Bogside on April 20, 1956, finishing unplaced. But with only a few horses in the yard, riding opportunities were limited, so Gifford sportingly transferred Brian’s apprentice indentures to Pat Taylor at Beverley. (Taylor had first taken out a trainer's licence in 1938 in France.)
Brian rode his first winner when partnering Jack’s Choice (100-9) for Taylor at Catterick on Saturday 12 April, 1958. Having had his first ride some two years earlier, he was scarcely winning out of turn. Brian and Jack’s Choice repeated their win at Catterick the following April.
Brian rode his first winner when partnering Jack’s Choice (100-9) for Taylor at Catterick on Saturday 12 April, 1958. Having had his first ride some two years earlier, he was scarcely winning out of turn. Brian and Jack’s Choice repeated their win at Catterick the following April.
By the end of 1958, Brian had ridden 28 winners. He did even better the following season: his win on Sayajirao Star in Carlisle’s Cumberland Plate was his fortieth against senior riders. That year, he was just pipped for the apprentice championship by R.P. (Bobby) Elliott.
By the end of 1958, Brian had ridden 28 winners. He did even better the following season: his win on Sayajirao Star in Carlisle’s Cumberland Plate was his fortieth against senior riders. That year, he was just pipped for the apprentice championship by R.P. (Bobby) Elliott.
His services were in high demand for the next couple of seasons. Besides Pat Taylor, other trainers he rode for included Middleham trainer Avril Vasey, William Newton of Sandbeck Training Stables, Wetherby and Arthur Balding, who sent out horses from Serlby Hall Stables, Bawtry, nr Doncaster. In his spare time, Brian enjoyed a game of football and was a keen swimmer. He also kept racing pigeons.
His services were in high demand for the next couple of seasons. Besides Pat Taylor, other trainers he rode for included Middleham trainer Avril Vasey, William Newton of Sandbeck Training Stables, Wetherby and Arthur Balding, who sent out horses from Serlby Hall Stables, Bawtry, nr Doncaster. In his spare time, Brian enjoyed a game of football and was a keen swimmer. He also kept racing pigeons.
He rode 43 winners in 1960, followed by a career-best 62 in 1961, including a treble at Beverley on July 8. He recorded a four-timer at the same course on September 27 and went close to making it five, being beaten a short-head in the last race.
He rode 43 winners in 1960, followed by a career-best 62 in 1961, including a treble at Beverley on July 8. He recorded a four-timer at the same course on September 27 and went close to making it five, being beaten a short-head in the last race.
His tally of winners fell to 23 in 1962, but they included his biggest success when winning the 1962 Ayr Gold Cup on the Avril Vasey-trained 25-1 outsider Janeat.
His tally of winners fell to 23 in 1962, but they included his biggest success when winning the 1962 Ayr Gold Cup on the Avril Vasey-trained 25-1 outsider Janeat.
In September, 1964, Brian, then 24 years of age and with just 13 winners on the board for that season, made plans to ride in India and Pakistan that winter. It marked the start of a globe-trotting have-saddle-will-travel career.
In September, 1964, Brian, then 24 years of age and with just 13 winners on the board for that season, made plans to ride in India and Pakistan that winter. It marked the start of a globe-trotting have-saddle-will-travel career.
Although a good, competent, jockey, Brian never made it to the very top of the tree but won his share: for example, when he won an Edinburgh nursery aboard Some Tune on Monday, September 18, 1967, it was his 21st win of the year (and Pat Rohan's 46th). He finished that season with a score of 27 but it would be the last year in which he achieved a double-figure score, as his travels took him to other parts of the world.
Although a good, competent, jockey, Brian never made it to the very top of the tree but won his share: for example, when he won an Edinburgh nursery aboard Some Tune on Monday, September 18, 1967, it was his 21st win of the year (and Pat Rohan's 46th). He finished that season with a score of 27 but it would be the last year in which he achieved a double-figure score, as his travels took him to other parts of the world.
Brian spent the winter of 1970/71 riding with great success in Cyprus. He was equally successful in Kenya for two years and also partnered good winners in Denmark, Sweden and Pakistan. Altogether, he rode in eleven different countries
Brian spent the winter of 1970/71 riding with great success in Cyprus. He was equally successful in Kenya for two years and also partnered good winners in Denmark, Sweden and Pakistan. Altogether, he rode in eleven different countries
Brian joined the Kingsdown Stable of Major Peter Nelson at Lambourn in 1976, riding four winners, five seconds and a third from 55 mounts that year.
Brian joined the Kingsdown Stable of Major Peter Nelson at Lambourn in 1976, riding four winners, five seconds and a third from 55 mounts that year.
Another trainer to benefit from Brian’s skills was Alfred Smith of Beverley, for whom Brian won four races in a row on Flying Tyke in 1978, including the Prince of Wales Handicap at Chester’s May meeting.
Another trainer to benefit from Brian’s skills was Alfred Smith of Beverley, for whom Brian won four races in a row on Flying Tyke in 1978, including the Prince of Wales Handicap at Chester’s May meeting.
Brian’s last season with a licence was in 1984.
Brian’s last season with a licence was in 1984.