Nigel Hawke
On 26 October 1993, at Newton Abbot, Nigel John Hawke crashed out at the first hurdle on Beam Me Up Scotty. His brief riding career over, he remained unconscious for a week. When he awoke, his only memory of the day was of walking into the jockeys' car park on arrival.
On 26 October 1993, at Newton Abbot, Nigel John Hawke crashed out at the first hurdle on Beam Me Up Scotty. His brief riding career over, he remained unconscious for a week. When he awoke, his only memory of the day was of walking into the jockeys' car park on arrival.
In the hospital head unit, he was made to throw little bags of sand into a basket to improve his coordination. A simple enough task, you'd think, but there were many people in the same ward who couldn't master it.
In the hospital head unit, he was made to throw little bags of sand into a basket to improve his coordination. A simple enough task, you'd think, but there were many people in the same ward who couldn't master it.
On his release from hospital, he was told not to drive for four years.
On his release from hospital, he was told not to drive for four years.
But as a jockey, there had been good days.
But as a jockey, there had been good days.
And one in particular. April 6, 1991.
And one in particular. April 6, 1991.
That afternoon, stable-jockey Nigel climbed aboard trainer David Baron's Seagram and made his way to the start for the Grand National.
That afternoon, stable-jockey Nigel climbed aboard trainer David Baron's Seagram and made his way to the start for the Grand National.
Fifth in the betting at 12/1, Seagram, Nigel's first ride in the race, was no forlorn hope - and so it proved.
Fifth in the betting at 12/1, Seagram, Nigel's first ride in the race, was no forlorn hope - and so it proved.
Nigel concedes that he was lucky, saying, 'I was in the right place at the right time. We jumped the last in second behind Garrison Savannah and I'd settled for second.'
Nigel concedes that he was lucky, saying, 'I was in the right place at the right time. We jumped the last in second behind Garrison Savannah and I'd settled for second.'
Then the leader tied-up on the run-in and Nigel and Seagram stormed clear.
Then the leader tied-up on the run-in and Nigel and Seagram stormed clear.
His jockey days behind him, Nigel spotted an advert in the Western Morning News. A disused stable had become available: Nigel moved quickly and set up as trainer.
His jockey days behind him, Nigel spotted an advert in the Western Morning News. A disused stable had become available: Nigel moved quickly and set up as trainer.
Only three men have both ridden and trained a Grand National winner, Algy Anthony, Fulke Walwyn and Fred Winter.
Only three men have both ridden and trained a Grand National winner, Algy Anthony, Fulke Walwyn and Fred Winter.
Training from Thorne Farm, Stoodleigh, Tiverton in Devon, Nigel aims to become the fourth. In December, 1998, he sent out Kendal Cavalier to win the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.
Training from Thorne Farm, Stoodleigh, Tiverton in Devon, Nigel aims to become the fourth. In December, 1998, he sent out Kendal Cavalier to win the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.
Nigel spent Christmas 1988 with a broken collar-bone after falling from Foodbroker Flyer, but made the perfect return 21 days later when scoring on Dr. Pepper.
Nigel spent Christmas 1988 with a broken collar-bone after falling from Foodbroker Flyer, but made the perfect return 21 days later when scoring on Dr. Pepper.
Citing too many jockeys and too few horses in Britain, Nigel rode winners in New Zealand and Russia during the summer months. 'I will go anywhere for a decent ride' he said.
Citing too many jockeys and too few horses in Britain, Nigel rode winners in New Zealand and Russia during the summer months. 'I will go anywhere for a decent ride' he said.
In February 1993, Nigel received a four-day ban for using his whip about 20 times on Colonel O'Kelly when winning at Wolverhampton.
In February 1993, Nigel received a four-day ban for using his whip about 20 times on Colonel O'Kelly when winning at Wolverhampton.
Nigel was born on 13 January 1966. On leaving school he joined David Barons' training yard at Kingsbridge, Devon but his first winner, Redgrave Devil, was for another trainer - Kevin Bishop - who trained in Somerset.
Nigel was born on 13 January 1966. On leaving school he joined David Barons' training yard at Kingsbridge, Devon but his first winner, Redgrave Devil, was for another trainer - Kevin Bishop - who trained in Somerset.
Nigel's winning total for that first season was a respectful 12: the following year the number had risen to 18. Having then won on the likes of Thatcher Rock, Searcher & Cock A Leekie, Nigel, still claiming three pounds, put up his best performance to date when winning the Coral Golden Hurdle at Haydock on Auction Law.
Nigel's winning total for that first season was a respectful 12: the following year the number had risen to 18. Having then won on the likes of Thatcher Rock, Searcher & Cock A Leekie, Nigel, still claiming three pounds, put up his best performance to date when winning the Coral Golden Hurdle at Haydock on Auction Law.
Grand National winner: Seagram (1991)
Grand National winner: Seagram (1991)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1989: Charisma Gold Cup Chase – Seagram
1989: Charisma Gold Cup Chase – Seagram
1991: A.S.W. Handicap Chase – Seagram
1991: A.S.W. Handicap Chase – Seagram
1991: National Hunt Handicap Chase – Seagram
1991: National Hunt Handicap Chase – Seagram