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Martyn Hancock
Martyn Hancock
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Having ridden four winners as an apprentice on the Flat in 1975, Martyn James Hancock did the same over hurdles in the 1981/82 National Hunt campaign. In both of his successful seasons he had less than 20 rides, so enjoyed a good strike rate.
Having ridden four winners as an apprentice on the Flat in 1975, Martyn James Hancock did the same over hurdles in the 1981/82 National Hunt campaign. In both of his successful seasons he had less than 20 rides, so enjoyed a good strike rate.
All four of his wins on the Flat were on the same horse, and three of his four jumping victories were also gained on one horse. All eight of his wins were on horses trained by the Gray family, whose stables were at Beverley, starting with Snowy Gray and followed by his son Cliff.
All four of his wins on the Flat were on the same horse, and three of his four jumping victories were also gained on one horse. All eight of his wins were on horses trained by the Gray family, whose stables were at Beverley, starting with Snowy Gray and followed by his son Cliff.
Martyn got off the mark at Catterick on April 30, 1975, when the six-year-old Gold Loom stayed on strongly to take the lead in the final furlong and land the Spring Handicap by a length. They won at Pontefract and Ayr in July, returning to Pontefract on the first day of September for their last win together, again hitting the front in the final furlong to take the Wentworth Handicap by a length and a half.
Martyn got off the mark at Catterick on April 30, 1975, when the six-year-old Gold Loom stayed on strongly to take the lead in the final furlong and land the Spring Handicap by a length. They won at Pontefract and Ayr in July, returning to Pontefract on the first day of September for their last win together, again hitting the front in the final furlong to take the Wentworth Handicap by a length and a half.
Despite those successes, Martyn did not ride Gold Loom again after 1975. Two years later he took out a jump jockey’s licence and had his first ride in that sphere at Haydock Park on December 1, 1977, when Westwood Boy was fourth in the Weaverham Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) despite finishing lame.
Despite those successes, Martyn did not ride Gold Loom again after 1975. Two years later he took out a jump jockey’s licence and had his first ride in that sphere at Haydock Park on December 1, 1977, when Westwood Boy was fourth in the Weaverham Novices’ Hurdle (Division 1) despite finishing lame.
He recorded his first success over jumps at Market Rasen on October 16, 1981, when Vronsky got up in the last few strides to catch For Good and win the Ludford Handicap Hurdle by a neck. He retained the ride for the remainder of the season and won two more races on him, the last of which was back at Market Rasen on May 8, 1982, when taking the lead at the final flight and repelling the challenge of Torreon by a length and a half in the Dorothy Viscountess Portman Memorial Long Distance Hurdle. They finished fourth over the same course on June 5, the last day of the season.
He recorded his first success over jumps at Market Rasen on October 16, 1981, when Vronsky got up in the last few strides to catch For Good and win the Ludford Handicap Hurdle by a neck. He retained the ride for the remainder of the season and won two more races on him, the last of which was back at Market Rasen on May 8, 1982, when taking the lead at the final flight and repelling the challenge of Torreon by a length and a half in the Dorothy Viscountess Portman Memorial Long Distance Hurdle. They finished fourth over the same course on June 5, the last day of the season.
Martyn only rode Vronsky once more, when finishing in rear in the Yorkshire Handicap Hurdle at Doncaster on January 29, 1983, that being his final ride.
Martyn only rode Vronsky once more, when finishing in rear in the Yorkshire Handicap Hurdle at Doncaster on January 29, 1983, that being his final ride.
Martyn Hancock’s winners were, in chronological order:
Martyn Hancock’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Gold Loom, Catterick Bridge, April 30, 1975
1. Gold Loom, Catterick Bridge, April 30, 1975
2. Gold Loom, Pontefract, July 8, 1975
2. Gold Loom, Pontefract, July 8, 1975
3. Gold Loom, Ayr, July 21, 1975
3. Gold Loom, Ayr, July 21, 1975
4. Gold Loom, Pontefract, September 1, 1975
4. Gold Loom, Pontefract, September 1, 1975
5. Vronsky, Market Rasen, October 16, 1981
5. Vronsky, Market Rasen, October 16, 1981
6. Vronsky, Wetherby, October 30, 1981
6. Vronsky, Wetherby, October 30, 1981
7. Find The Sun, Ayr, December 3, 1981
7. Find The Sun, Ayr, December 3, 1981
8. Vronsky, Market Rasen, May 8, 1982
8. Vronsky, Market Rasen, May 8, 1982
Gold Loom, Martyn Hancock's first winner
Vronsky, his final success
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