Nick Hamilton
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Nicholas John Hamilton was a northern-based National Hunt jockey between 1958 and 1967.
Nicholas John Hamilton was a northern-based National Hunt jockey between 1958 and 1967.
He rode exclusively over hurdles and was attached to ‘Buster’ Fenningworth’s Richmond stable throughout his career. He rode a total of 16 winners, 14 of which were trained by Fenningworth.
He rode exclusively over hurdles and was attached to ‘Buster’ Fenningworth’s Richmond stable throughout his career. He rode a total of 16 winners, 14 of which were trained by Fenningworth.
The first of them was the four-year-old filly Lynne’s Legend at Catterick on February 21, 1959.
The first of them was the four-year-old filly Lynne’s Legend at Catterick on February 21, 1959.
The second was achieved on Gay Robin in Kelso’s Morebattle Handicap Hurdle the following month; the third on Newton Hope on the Saturday of Carlisle’s Easter fixture.
The second was achieved on Gay Robin in Kelso’s Morebattle Handicap Hurdle the following month; the third on Newton Hope on the Saturday of Carlisle’s Easter fixture.
Having drawn a blank in 1959/60, he rode six winners in the 1960/61 campaign, mostly in novice hurdles, the last of which was a rare outside ride on Melgund Glen for Denholm trainer Ken Oliver at Carlisle.
Having drawn a blank in 1959/60, he rode six winners in the 1960/61 campaign, mostly in novice hurdles, the last of which was a rare outside ride on Melgund Glen for Denholm trainer Ken Oliver at Carlisle.
The Ilkhani of Gilan was Nick’s sole success of 1961/62, winning the Stockton Novices’ Hurdle at Sedgefield on February 3, 1962, his tenth winner, reducing his claim to 5lb.
The Ilkhani of Gilan was Nick’s sole success of 1961/62, winning the Stockton Novices’ Hurdle at Sedgefield on February 3, 1962, his tenth winner, reducing his claim to 5lb.
It was then exactly two years until he rode his next, Perado, at that corresponding Sedgefield fixture and in the very same race, the Stockton Novices’ Hurdle, on February 1, 1964.
It was then exactly two years until he rode his next, Perado, at that corresponding Sedgefield fixture and in the very same race, the Stockton Novices’ Hurdle, on February 1, 1964.
Having waited two years for a winner, two more came within a month, including one on Back Bencher for Hawick trainer Charlie Bell, who gave Nick his second victory in Kelso’s Morebattle Hurdle.
Having waited two years for a winner, two more came within a month, including one on Back Bencher for Hawick trainer Charlie Bell, who gave Nick his second victory in Kelso’s Morebattle Hurdle.
Today, the Morebattle is one of Kelso’s feature races, but back in those days it was worth a mere £172 to the successful owner. Indeed, Nick’s next winner, New Warrior in the Sherburn Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield on September 12, 1964, was the most valuable of his career, boasting a winner’s prize of £488.
Today, the Morebattle is one of Kelso’s feature races, but back in those days it was worth a mere £172 to the successful owner. Indeed, Nick’s next winner, New Warrior in the Sherburn Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield on September 12, 1964, was the most valuable of his career, boasting a winner’s prize of £488.
New Warrior was one of just two winners for Nick that season, and he then endured a wait of over 15 months before his next – his last – on Fenningworth’s Bladnoch Brig in the Crailing Hurdle at Kelso on March 5, 1966.
New Warrior was one of just two winners for Nick that season, and he then endured a wait of over 15 months before his next – his last – on Fenningworth’s Bladnoch Brig in the Crailing Hurdle at Kelso on March 5, 1966.
On April 22, 1967, Buster Fenningworth died, aged 45, shortly after a car crash at Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire, while on his way to Ayr races.
On April 22, 1967, Buster Fenningworth died, aged 45, shortly after a car crash at Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire, while on his way to Ayr races.
The car in which Fenningworth was travelling hit a central reservation on a dual carriageway, went off the road, down an embankment into a field and burst into flames.
The car in which Fenningworth was travelling hit a central reservation on a dual carriageway, went off the road, down an embankment into a field and burst into flames.
Fenningworth died on the way to hospital, and jockey Albert ‘Brig’ Robson and apprentice William Blenkinsopp, who were passengers in the car, were seriously injured. Fenningworth, who saddled Bordone to win the 1962 Northumberland Plate, had ridden as an amateur from 1936 to 1955 and as a professional in 1956.
Fenningworth died on the way to hospital, and jockey Albert ‘Brig’ Robson and apprentice William Blenkinsopp, who were passengers in the car, were seriously injured. Fenningworth, who saddled Bordone to win the 1962 Northumberland Plate, had ridden as an amateur from 1936 to 1955 and as a professional in 1956.
He left a widow and two daughters.
He left a widow and two daughters.
Nick Hamilton had his final ride the following month, finishing last of seven on Tumba Rumba in a Hexham selling hurdle on May 27, 1967. He relinquished his licence at the end of that season.
Nick Hamilton had his final ride the following month, finishing last of seven on Tumba Rumba in a Hexham selling hurdle on May 27, 1967. He relinquished his licence at the end of that season.
His winners in chronological order were:
His winners in chronological order were:
1. Lynne’s Legend, Catterick, February 20, 1959
1. Lynne’s Legend, Catterick, February 20, 1959
2. Gay Robin, Kelso, March 7, 1959
2. Gay Robin, Kelso, March 7, 1959
3. Newton Hope, Carlisle, March 28, 1959
3. Newton Hope, Carlisle, March 28, 1959
4. Green Edge, Sedgefield, November 26, 1960
4. Green Edge, Sedgefield, November 26, 1960
5. Reprint, Catterick, December 3, 1960
5. Reprint, Catterick, December 3, 1960
6. Green Edge, Sedgefield, December 26, 1960
6. Green Edge, Sedgefield, December 26, 1960
7. New Warrior, Catterick, February 18, 1961
7. New Warrior, Catterick, February 18, 1961
8. New Warrior, Newcastle, March 11, 1961
8. New Warrior, Newcastle, March 11, 1961
9. Melgund Glen, Carlisle, April 1, 1961
9. Melgund Glen, Carlisle, April 1, 1961
10. The Ilkhani of Gilan, Sedgefield, February 3, 1962
10. The Ilkhani of Gilan, Sedgefield, February 3, 1962
11. Perado, Sedgefield, February 1, 1964
11. Perado, Sedgefield, February 1, 1964
12. Old Wine, Newcastle, February 8, 1964
12. Old Wine, Newcastle, February 8, 1964
13. Back Bencher, Kelso, February 29, 1964
13. Back Bencher, Kelso, February 29, 1964
14. New Warrior, Sedgefield, September 12, 1964
14. New Warrior, Sedgefield, September 12, 1964
15. Waydette, Catterick, November 28, 1964
15. Waydette, Catterick, November 28, 1964
16. Bladnoch Brig, Kelso, March 5, 1966
16. Bladnoch Brig, Kelso, March 5, 1966