Richard Hoare

Martin Richard Hoare was born at Chard, Somerset, on April 30, 1955, and started his career as an amateur. His first winner was Hard Times II at Wincanton on February 1, 1973: his first win as a professional came on Mrs Moke at Plumpton on November 29, 1977.

He was unlucky not to win the 1982 Grand National after remounting Loving Words to finish third after being brought down.

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner: Master Smudge (1980)

Other big winners:

1977: Brooke Bond Oxo National – Cornish Princess

1979: Sun Alliance Chase – Master Smudge

1979: Tingle Creek Handicap Chase – Artifice

1980: Heinz Novices’ Chase – Mister Bosun

1982: Warwick National - Loving Words.