Peter Hartley
Peter Hartley
Peter Hartley
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Peter Augustine Hartley rode just one winner on the Flat but enjoyed far more success over jumps with 21 during the early 1950s. He was apprenticed to Royston-based trainer Willie Stephenson, with whom he would remain for the whole of his riding career. Stephenson, who would go on to train winners of both the Derby and Grand National, provided all but four of Peter’s victories.
Peter Augustine Hartley rode just one winner on the Flat but enjoyed far more success over jumps with 21 during the early 1950s. He was apprenticed to Royston-based trainer Willie Stephenson, with whom he would remain for the whole of his riding career. Stephenson, who would go on to train winners of both the Derby and Grand National, provided all but four of Peter’s victories.
His sole win on the Flat was when Johny D., trained by his boss, won the Apprentices’ Handicap at Newmarket on August 20, 1947. The four-year-old was completing a hat-trick, having won two similar races earlier in the summer.
His sole win on the Flat was when Johny D., trained by his boss, won the Apprentices’ Handicap at Newmarket on August 20, 1947. The four-year-old was completing a hat-trick, having won two similar races earlier in the summer.
It was not until February 10, 1951 that Peter rode his first winner over jumps. This was at Hurst Park, when Mesane, also trained by Willie Stephenson, beat 15 rivals to take the Roehampton Handicap Hurdle. Peter, riding the horse for the first time, made no mistake and won by four lengths.
It was not until February 10, 1951 that Peter rode his first winner over jumps. This was at Hurst Park, when Mesane, also trained by Willie Stephenson, beat 15 rivals to take the Roehampton Handicap Hurdle. Peter, riding the horse for the first time, made no mistake and won by four lengths.
Two more wins quickly followed, but there was then a long gap before the next success, with Peter not holding a licence for a period – a likely explanation being that he had been called upon for National Service, a common reason at that time for jockeys relinquishing their licence for a season or two.
Two more wins quickly followed, but there was then a long gap before the next success, with Peter not holding a licence for a period – a likely explanation being that he had been called upon for National Service, a common reason at that time for jockeys relinquishing their licence for a season or two.
However, he came back strongly in the 1953/54 season, recording 14 wins. They included back-to-back successes on Kalek, making all to land the Christmas Handicap Hurdle at Kempton, then repeating the front-running tactics at Newbury five days later. He won three races on Stephenson’s hurdler Where’s Charley, and landed a double at Newcastle in February 1954, the second leg of which, being his 15th success in all, meant that he lost the right to claim an allowance. He finished fourth in the 1954 Imperial Cup on Mathys, the race being won by Jack Dowdeswell on The Pills.
However, he came back strongly in the 1953/54 season, recording 14 wins. They included back-to-back successes on Kalek, making all to land the Christmas Handicap Hurdle at Kempton, then repeating the front-running tactics at Newbury five days later. He won three races on Stephenson’s hurdler Where’s Charley, and landed a double at Newcastle in February 1954, the second leg of which, being his 15th success in all, meant that he lost the right to claim an allowance. He finished fourth in the 1954 Imperial Cup on Mathys, the race being won by Jack Dowdeswell on The Pills.
Twelve of that season’s 14 wins were trained by Willie Stephenson, the exceptions being Strongbow at Uttoxeter and Kenworth Gorse at Worcester, both of which were owned and trained by Derbyshire permit holder Martin Cowley.
Twelve of that season’s 14 wins were trained by Willie Stephenson, the exceptions being Strongbow at Uttoxeter and Kenworth Gorse at Worcester, both of which were owned and trained by Derbyshire permit holder Martin Cowley.
Peter’s final victory was gained aboard Acrum Light, trained, naturally, by Stephenson, in the Juvenile Hurdle at Manchester on December 3, 1954. He held a licence for one more season but rode no more winners.
Peter’s final victory was gained aboard Acrum Light, trained, naturally, by Stephenson, in the Juvenile Hurdle at Manchester on December 3, 1954. He held a licence for one more season but rode no more winners.
Peter Hartley’s wins were, in chronological order:
Peter Hartley’s wins were, in chronological order:
1. Johny D., Newmarket, August 29, 1947
1. Johny D., Newmarket, August 29, 1947
2. Mesane, Hurst Park, February 10, 1951
2. Mesane, Hurst Park, February 10, 1951
3. Tall Palm, Hurst Park, March 9, 1951
3. Tall Palm, Hurst Park, March 9, 1951
4. Rockdove, Wolverhampton, March 12, 1951
4. Rockdove, Wolverhampton, March 12, 1951
5. Where’s Charley, Wye, October 19, 1953
5. Where’s Charley, Wye, October 19, 1953
6. Strongbow, Uttoxeter, October 24, 1953
6. Strongbow, Uttoxeter, October 24, 1953
7. Kenworth Gorse, Worcester, November 9, 1953
7. Kenworth Gorse, Worcester, November 9, 1953
8. Chatham, Cheltenham, November 12, 1953
8. Chatham, Cheltenham, November 12, 1953
9. Young Carver, Leicester, November 23, 1953
9. Young Carver, Leicester, November 23, 1953
10. Singing Duke, Wetherby, December 26, 1953
10. Singing Duke, Wetherby, December 26, 1953
11. Kalek, Kempton Park, December 28, 1953
11. Kalek, Kempton Park, December 28, 1953
12. Kalek, Newbury, January 2, 1954
12. Kalek, Newbury, January 2, 1954
13. Street Scaffolder, Stratford-on-Avon, January 16, 1954
13. Street Scaffolder, Stratford-on-Avon, January 16, 1954
14. Where’s Charley, Newcastle, February 20, 1954
14. Where’s Charley, Newcastle, February 20, 1954
15. Mathys, Newcastle, February 20, 1954
15. Mathys, Newcastle, February 20, 1954
16. Dove Cote, Hurst Park, March 5, 1954
16. Dove Cote, Hurst Park, March 5, 1954
17. Captain Hornblower, Haydock Park, March 6, 1954
17. Captain Hornblower, Haydock Park, March 6, 1954
18. Where’s Charley, Newbury, March 20, 1954
18. Where’s Charley, Newbury, March 20, 1954
19. Nitriphar, Southwell, September 6, 1954
19. Nitriphar, Southwell, September 6, 1954
20. Deep Freeze, Huntingdon, October 18, 1954
20. Deep Freeze, Huntingdon, October 18, 1954
21. Staraza, Kempton Park, November 24, 1954
21. Staraza, Kempton Park, November 24, 1954
22. Acrum light, Manchester, December 3, 1954
22. Acrum light, Manchester, December 3, 1954