Colin Hawkins
It’s an old horseracing quiz question: who was the first horse past the post in the 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup not trained by Michael Dickinson?
It’s an old horseracing quiz question: who was the first horse past the post in the 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup not trained by Michael Dickinson?
The answer was Richdee, trained by Neville Crump, a never nearer sixth behind the Dickinson quintet of Bregawn, Captain John, Wayward Lad, Silver Buck and Ashley House.
The answer was Richdee, trained by Neville Crump, a never nearer sixth behind the Dickinson quintet of Bregawn, Captain John, Wayward Lad, Silver Buck and Ashley House.
Richdee’s jockey that day was Colin Hawkins, one of the North’s leading riders.
Richdee’s jockey that day was Colin Hawkins, one of the North’s leading riders.
The son of a Warrington butcher, he was born on October 27, 1955. He was apprenticed initially to Bill Payne and then to Neville Crump at Middleham and rode his first winner on Crump’s Hopeful Secret in a Haydock Park novices’ hurdle on Thursday, February 6, 1975.
The son of a Warrington butcher, he was born on October 27, 1955. He was apprenticed initially to Bill Payne and then to Neville Crump at Middleham and rode his first winner on Crump’s Hopeful Secret in a Haydock Park novices’ hurdle on Thursday, February 6, 1975.
His best season numerically was in 1980/81, during which he rode 42 winners and finished 12th in the jockeys’ table. Richdee was among the best he rode, as was Even Melody, on which he won 22 races.
His best season numerically was in 1980/81, during which he rode 42 winners and finished 12th in the jockeys’ table. Richdee was among the best he rode, as was Even Melody, on which he won 22 races.
His major successes included the Scottish Grand National and Cheltenham’s Massey-Ferguson Gold Cup, plus three victories
His major successes included the Scottish Grand National and Cheltenham’s Massey-Ferguson Gold Cup, plus three victories
in Wetherby’s Boxing Day feature, the Rowland Meyrick Chase.
in Wetherby’s Boxing Day feature, the Rowland Meyrick Chase.
Colin rode his final winner on Scrabo View at Doncaster on February 25, 1995.
Colin rode his final winner on Scrabo View at Doncaster on February 25, 1995.
His last ride was Grassington, a faller at Carlisle on April 15, 1995. He retired that year due to a spinal injury, bringing to an end a 21 season career during which he rode 378 winners.
His last ride was Grassington, a faller at Carlisle on April 15, 1995. He retired that year due to a spinal injury, bringing to an end a 21 season career during which he rode 378 winners.
He continued to live in the Middleham area and was the town’s postman.
He continued to live in the Middleham area and was the town’s postman.
Colin Hawkins died in December 2019, aged 64.
Colin Hawkins died in December 2019, aged 64.