Graham Heyes
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Apprentice jockey Graham ‘Tiger’ Heyes was born in Wigan in 1947 and became apprenticed to Eric Cousins at Tarporley, Cheshire, at the end of 1961. He rode a total of five winners, all of them trained by Cousins.
Apprentice jockey Graham ‘Tiger’ Heyes was born in Wigan in 1947 and became apprenticed to Eric Cousins at Tarporley, Cheshire, at the end of 1961. He rode a total of five winners, all of them trained by Cousins.
Christened Graham Richard Heyes but more popularly known by his nickname ‘Tiger’, his first was on a four-year-old sprinter named The Wiend in the Bentley Memorial Handicap at Pontefract on April 20, 1966. In August he won two races back to back on the filly Prowling, landing the Codsall Apprentices’ Selling Handicap at Wolverhampton and the Towton Handicap at Catterick.
Christened Graham Richard Heyes but more popularly known by his nickname ‘Tiger’, his first was on a four-year-old sprinter named The Wiend in the Bentley Memorial Handicap at Pontefract on April 20, 1966. In August he won two races back to back on the filly Prowling, landing the Codsall Apprentices’ Selling Handicap at Wolverhampton and the Towton Handicap at Catterick.
Having ridden three winners from 57 mounts in 1966, ‘Tiger’ mustered just two from 59 in 1967, both of them in May, courtesy of The Wiend at Haydock and Prince Hilbre at Chepstow.
Having ridden three winners from 57 mounts in 1966, ‘Tiger’ mustered just two from 59 in 1967, both of them in May, courtesy of The Wiend at Haydock and Prince Hilbre at Chepstow.
Weight did not appear to have been an issue, for ‘Tiger’ was able to ride at 6st 11lb when winning on Prince Hilbre, yet for whatever reason, he never rode another winner.
Weight did not appear to have been an issue, for ‘Tiger’ was able to ride at 6st 11lb when winning on Prince Hilbre, yet for whatever reason, he never rode another winner.
He rode Eric Cousin’s filly Ludham, a 40/1 shot, in the 1967 Cambridgeshire at Newmarket, finishing a creditable fifth of the 34 runners behind Ron Hutchinson on Lacquer, after looking well placed to win with just over a furlong left to run.
He rode Eric Cousin’s filly Ludham, a 40/1 shot, in the 1967 Cambridgeshire at Newmarket, finishing a creditable fifth of the 34 runners behind Ron Hutchinson on Lacquer, after looking well placed to win with just over a furlong left to run.
Having completed his apprenticeship, he rode for Eric Cousins for one year (1970) as a fully-fledged jockey. Despite being able to do the minimum weight of 7 st, he had very few rides and no winners.
Having completed his apprenticeship, he rode for Eric Cousins for one year (1970) as a fully-fledged jockey. Despite being able to do the minimum weight of 7 st, he had very few rides and no winners.
Graham ‘Tiger’ Heyes’ winners were, in chronological order:
Graham ‘Tiger’ Heyes’ winners were, in chronological order:
1. The Wiend, Pontefract, April 20, 1966
1. The Wiend, Pontefract, April 20, 1966
2. Prowling, Wolverhampton, August 2, 1966
2. Prowling, Wolverhampton, August 2, 1966
3. Prowling, Catterick Bridge, August 10, 1966
3. Prowling, Catterick Bridge, August 10, 1966
4. The Wiend, Haydock Park, May 20, 1967
4. The Wiend, Haydock Park, May 20, 1967
5. Prince Hilbre, Chepstow, May 30, 1967
5. Prince Hilbre, Chepstow, May 30, 1967