Carl Hawksley
Carl Leonard Hawksley was born on 17th October, 1970, at Kirby Muxloe in Leicester.
Carl Leonard Hawksley was born on 17th October, 1970, at Kirby Muxloe in Leicester.
When Carl was 11, his father wrote to Henry Cecil asking if he would take him on as an apprentice. Henry invited the family to visit Warren Place, which they did, and the trainer said he would take him on once Carl had finished his education.
When Carl was 11, his father wrote to Henry Cecil asking if he would take him on as an apprentice. Henry invited the family to visit Warren Place, which they did, and the trainer said he would take him on once Carl had finished his education.
Aged 16, Carl started work at Warren Place as an apprentice Flat jockey.
Aged 16, Carl started work at Warren Place as an apprentice Flat jockey.
Weighing 6 st 7oz, Carl was a natural lightweight, easily able to ride his 7lb claim at the lowest weight at the time of 7 st.
Weighing 6 st 7oz, Carl was a natural lightweight, easily able to ride his 7lb claim at the lowest weight at the time of 7 st.
He had his first ride that summer on Wings of Wishes for Stavros Niarchos at Great Yarmouth. This was just an educational run.
He had his first ride that summer on Wings of Wishes for Stavros Niarchos at Great Yarmouth. This was just an educational run.
He stayed with Henry for two seasons, having various rides for the stable and other trainers.
He stayed with Henry for two seasons, having various rides for the stable and other trainers.
Carl then took on the services of Ian Wardle as his agent.
Carl then took on the services of Ian Wardle as his agent.
His first winner came at Folkestone on 16 July 1991.
His first winner came at Folkestone on 16 July 1991.
Riding for Newmarket trainer Hugh Collingridge, he scored on the 14-1 shot Kath's Choice (right), winning by four lengths.
Riding for Newmarket trainer Hugh Collingridge, he scored on the 14-1 shot Kath's Choice (right), winning by four lengths.
Shortly after, he began working full-time for Collingridge at Beverley House Stables by which time he had already met his future wife, Venessa (Reynolds). They married in May, 1992, and had a daughter in February, 1993.
Shortly after, he began working full-time for Collingridge at Beverley House Stables by which time he had already met his future wife, Venessa (Reynolds). They married in May, 1992, and had a daughter in February, 1993.
In October 1992, Carl has a riding accident on Newmarket Heath, cracking the bone on his left ankle. He was out of action for six months.
In October 1992, Carl has a riding accident on Newmarket Heath, cracking the bone on his left ankle. He was out of action for six months.
Back in the saddle, Carl had many outside rides, mostly lightweights and at big prices.
Back in the saddle, Carl had many outside rides, mostly lightweights and at big prices.
His career took another turn when, in March 1995, he started to work for Rae Guest. He had ridden winners for him before and it was for Rae that he rode his final winner, Abbey House, at one of Wolverhampton's first meetings after the course had re-opened as an all-weather track.
His career took another turn when, in March 1995, he started to work for Rae Guest. He had ridden winners for him before and it was for Rae that he rode his final winner, Abbey House, at one of Wolverhampton's first meetings after the course had re-opened as an all-weather track.
On Friday, April 28, 1995, Carl made his way down to the start of the 4.10 race at Sandown,
On Friday, April 28, 1995, Carl made his way down to the start of the 4.10 race at Sandown,
the Guildford Handicap. His mount, Dakota Girl, was suddenly startled, throwing Carl to the ground. He held on to her, but she bowled him over, trampling on his right leg. He suffered a broken tibia fibula and crushed ankle.
the Guildford Handicap. His mount, Dakota Girl, was suddenly startled, throwing Carl to the ground. He held on to her, but she bowled him over, trampling on his right leg. He suffered a broken tibia fibula and crushed ankle.
Carl was taken to hospital in Kingston-upon-Thames where they operated on him that evening, inserting a plate and pins.
Carl was taken to hospital in Kingston-upon-Thames where they operated on him that evening, inserting a plate and pins.
Unfortunately, it had to re-opened the following week to perform a bone graph as the ankle was not mending.
Unfortunately, it had to re-opened the following week to perform a bone graph as the ankle was not mending.
Carl was looked after by the Injured Jockeys' Fund as several more operations were needed: the ankle was not improving due to a cyst in the bone and tendonitis, and was therefore fused together in 1997.
Carl was looked after by the Injured Jockeys' Fund as several more operations were needed: the ankle was not improving due to a cyst in the bone and tendonitis, and was therefore fused together in 1997.
Carl was informed that he would not be able to ride again. He and his family moved back to Leicester in 2007 where he originally came from and where he still lives today.
Carl was informed that he would not be able to ride again. He and his family moved back to Leicester in 2007 where he originally came from and where he still lives today.
The family grew in November 1995, when a second daughter was born.
The family grew in November 1995, when a second daughter was born.
From The Times, August 1, 1992
From The Times, August 1, 1992
Carl's 8 winners are recorded in Raceform
Carl's 8 winners are recorded in Raceform
Trainers Carl rode for:
Trainers Carl rode for:
Barbara Waring, Tony Hide, Peter Bevan, Tony Newcombe, Gay Kelleway, Mark Johnston, Sir Mark Prescott, Willie Musson, Dave Morris, Mick Ryan, Adrian Lee, John Spearing, Ron Thomson, Mark Brisbourne, Chris Thornton, Charlie James, Mohammed Moubarak, David Barron, Giles Bravery, Colin Williams, Roger Fisher, Mark Flowers, Steve Norton, Wally Carter, J.R.Bostock, Gerry Blum, Conrad Allen, Mark Usher, Roger Curtis, Brian Ellison, Derek Shaw, Bobby Jones, Jeremy Glover, Roger Fisher, Ben Hanbury, Geoff Pearce, Alan Jarvis, Simon Dow, D. Moffatt, Rod Simpson Jonjo O’Neill.
Barbara Waring, Tony Hide, Peter Bevan, Tony Newcombe, Gay Kelleway, Mark Johnston, Sir Mark Prescott, Willie Musson, Dave Morris, Mick Ryan, Adrian Lee, John Spearing, Ron Thomson, Mark Brisbourne, Chris Thornton, Charlie James, Mohammed Moubarak, David Barron, Giles Bravery, Colin Williams, Roger Fisher, Mark Flowers, Steve Norton, Wally Carter, J.R.Bostock, Gerry Blum, Conrad Allen, Mark Usher, Roger Curtis, Brian Ellison, Derek Shaw, Bobby Jones, Jeremy Glover, Roger Fisher, Ben Hanbury, Geoff Pearce, Alan Jarvis, Simon Dow, D. Moffatt, Rod Simpson Jonjo O’Neill.