Peter Hoe
Peter Hoe
Peter Hoe
Peter Hoe made a dream start to his racing career with a winner on his first ride in public. But the dream turned into a nightmare within the space of three weeks when he suffered serious head injuries in a fall at Doncaster
Peter Hoe made a dream start to his racing career with a winner on his first ride in public. But the dream turned into a nightmare within the space of three weeks when he suffered serious head injuries in a fall at Doncaster
Apprenticed to Royston trainer Willie Stephenson, Peter had the perfect beginning when 33/1 outsider Pinco took the lead at halfway in the five-furlong Highbury Selling Plate, for two-year-olds, at Alexandra Park on June 27, 1967, drawing clear to win by five lengths from Hors De Combat, the mount of Brian Jago.
Apprenticed to Royston trainer Willie Stephenson, Peter had the perfect beginning when 33/1 outsider Pinco took the lead at halfway in the five-furlong Highbury Selling Plate, for two-year-olds, at Alexandra Park on June 27, 1967, drawing clear to win by five lengths from Hors De Combat, the mount of Brian Jago.
But at Doncaster’s evening meeting on Thursday, July 13, on just his sixth ride, his mount Misty Law stumbled soon after the start of the one-mile Wharncliffe Selling Handicap and unseated him. Peter was rushed to Doncaster Infirmary, where a spokesman reported the following day that he was unconscious and “very ill but not on the danger list.”
But at Doncaster’s evening meeting on Thursday, July 13, on just his sixth ride, his mount Misty Law stumbled soon after the start of the one-mile Wharncliffe Selling Handicap and unseated him. Peter was rushed to Doncaster Infirmary, where a spokesman reported the following day that he was unconscious and “very ill but not on the danger list.”
He was transferred a week later to a neuro-surgical ward at Sheffield Royal Infirmary. The next hospital report was issued on July 14, when it was stated that Peter was in a coma and said to be “extremely ill”. The portents did not look good.
He was transferred a week later to a neuro-surgical ward at Sheffield Royal Infirmary. The next hospital report was issued on July 14, when it was stated that Peter was in a coma and said to be “extremely ill”. The portents did not look good.
However, on August 14 the Sporting Life, in answer to a reader’s query, announced that “Peter Hoe is making a slow but steady recovery.”
However, on August 14 the Sporting Life, in answer to a reader’s query, announced that “Peter Hoe is making a slow but steady recovery.”
It appears that, although he remained in a coma for some time, Peter did eventually make a full recovery, although he never rode again.
It appears that, although he remained in a coma for some time, Peter did eventually make a full recovery, although he never rode again.
Peter Hoe's only win, Pinco at Alexandra Park, June 27, 1967
Peter Hoe's only win, Pinco at Alexandra Park, June 27, 1967
