Embedded Files
Ronald George Hyett was born in Worcestershire on August 7, 1951 . He was on horseback at the age of three at his mother’s riding school before collecting trophies at gymkhanas and show jumping competitions.
Ronald George Hyett was born in Worcestershire on August 7, 1951 . He was on horseback at the age of three at his mother’s riding school before collecting trophies at gymkhanas and show jumping competitions.
He went into racing straight from school, starting off at the very top with the great Fred Rimell, before moving to Owen O’Neill who supplied him with his first winner on the 9-1 shot Tarry at Chepstow on Friday evening, May 17, 1968. It was a great thrill for 16-year-old Ron, particularly as he beat Terry Biddlecombe who used to school with him at Rimell’s.
He went into racing straight from school, starting off at the very top with the great Fred Rimell, before moving to Owen O’Neill who supplied him with his first winner on the 9-1 shot Tarry at Chepstow on Friday evening, May 17, 1968. It was a great thrill for 16-year-old Ron, particularly as he beat Terry Biddlecombe who used to school with him at Rimell’s.
On May 15, 1971, he married Cynthia Toms. They had two sons, Richard George and David Roy.
On May 15, 1971, he married Cynthia Toms. They had two sons, Richard George and David Roy.
He rode as a freelance for most of his career, enjoying a memorable Cheltenham Festival double for Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire trainer Katie Gaze in 1972 aboard 40-1 shot Even Dawn in the Aldsworth Hurdle (known in 2025 as the Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle) and 15-1 chance Cold Day in the County Hurdle. Mrs Gaze, who was assisted by Henry Oliver, also owned both horses. Those two Cheltenham victories were made all the more remarkable by the fact that her Caradoc Court stable only housed a dozen horses.
He rode as a freelance for most of his career, enjoying a memorable Cheltenham Festival double for Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire trainer Katie Gaze in 1972 aboard 40-1 shot Even Dawn in the Aldsworth Hurdle (known in 2025 as the Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle) and 15-1 chance Cold Day in the County Hurdle. Mrs Gaze, who was assisted by Henry Oliver, also owned both horses. Those two Cheltenham victories were made all the more remarkable by the fact that her Caradoc Court stable only housed a dozen horses.
Ron won two big races for Herefordshire trainer Stan Wright in 1975, the George Duller Handicap Hurdle on Blakedown, a race that was formerly part of Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting but was by then held at the course’s April fixture; and Exeter’s Haldon Gold Cup on Sandwilan.
Ron won two big races for Herefordshire trainer Stan Wright in 1975, the George Duller Handicap Hurdle on Blakedown, a race that was formerly part of Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting but was by then held at the course’s April fixture; and Exeter’s Haldon Gold Cup on Sandwilan.
His best season numerically came in 1975/76 when he rode 29 winners.
His best season numerically came in 1975/76 when he rode 29 winners.
He rated Space Project, trained by Reg Brown, as the best he rode. Together they won five consecutive novice chases during the 1977/78 season, including Sandown’s Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase, and finished second in that season’s Arkle Chase to subsequent Gold Cup winner Alverton.
He rated Space Project, trained by Reg Brown, as the best he rode. Together they won five consecutive novice chases during the 1977/78 season, including Sandown’s Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase, and finished second in that season’s Arkle Chase to subsequent Gold Cup winner Alverton.
In 1978 he won the Midlands Grand National on the 11-year-old Kick On for Carmarthenshire permit holder Keith Lewis.
In 1978 he won the Midlands Grand National on the 11-year-old Kick On for Carmarthenshire permit holder Keith Lewis.
Despite not being associated with a major yard, Ron rode in five Gerand Nationals. He completed the course in only one of his first four attempts, finishing a distant seventh on Sandwilan behind the Fred Rimell-trained Rag Trade in 1976. But in 1980 he came in for the ride on Rimell’s Aintree veteran The Pilgarlic, whose previous Grand National performances had seen him finish fourth, fifth and fourth again in the previous three runnings.
Despite not being associated with a major yard, Ron rode in five Gerand Nationals. He completed the course in only one of his first four attempts, finishing a distant seventh on Sandwilan behind the Fred Rimell-trained Rag Trade in 1976. But in 1980 he came in for the ride on Rimell’s Aintree veteran The Pilgarlic, whose previous Grand National performances had seen him finish fourth, fifth and fourth again in the previous three runnings.
With regular partner Richard Evans sidelined with a broken ankle, Rimell booked Ron to ride 12-year-old The Pilgarlic. Rain had rendered the ground heavy, perfect conditions for that safest of conveyances. They had only two behind them jumping the water and heading out onto the second circuit, but they plugged on relentlessly to finish third of just four to complete behind Ben Nevis and Rough And Tumble.
With regular partner Richard Evans sidelined with a broken ankle, Rimell booked Ron to ride 12-year-old The Pilgarlic. Rain had rendered the ground heavy, perfect conditions for that safest of conveyances. They had only two behind them jumping the water and heading out onto the second circuit, but they plugged on relentlessly to finish third of just four to complete behind Ben Nevis and Rough And Tumble.
Ron said of The Pilgarlic: “Year after year he got round, always in the first half-dozen, never once got close to winning. He never looked like making a mistake, never gained a length, never lost one. He didn’t do anything fantastic, just did everything perfect.”
Ron said of The Pilgarlic: “Year after year he got round, always in the first half-dozen, never once got close to winning. He never looked like making a mistake, never gained a length, never lost one. He didn’t do anything fantastic, just did everything perfect.”
Ron’s 281st and final winner came at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, April 1, 1991 aboard 3-1 favourite Knights trained by Henry Oliver in partnership with his second wife Sally, although it was Sally who actually held the licence. It was a memorable day for the Olivers as their daughter Jacqui rode a treble for them at Uttoxeter, while Ron had journeyed to Lincolnshire to ride Knights, justifying favouritism when getting up by a neck to win the Lodge Novices’ Hurdle.
Ron’s 281st and final winner came at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, April 1, 1991 aboard 3-1 favourite Knights trained by Henry Oliver in partnership with his second wife Sally, although it was Sally who actually held the licence. It was a memorable day for the Olivers as their daughter Jacqui rode a treble for them at Uttoxeter, while Ron had journeyed to Lincolnshire to ride Knights, justifying favouritism when getting up by a neck to win the Lodge Novices’ Hurdle.
Ron had his last rides later that month. He admitted: “I’ve been run-of-the-mill for a long time. I’ve never hit the highlights, but that doesn’t make any difference. I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve been picking my rides for the last few years. You tend to stop bouncing after 30.”
Ron had his last rides later that month. He admitted: “I’ve been run-of-the-mill for a long time. I’ve never hit the highlights, but that doesn’t make any difference. I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve been picking my rides for the last few years. You tend to stop bouncing after 30.”
Ron Hyett died in March 2025, aged 73.
Ron Hyett died in March 2025, aged 73.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1972: Aldsworth Hurdle – Even Dawn
1972: Aldsworth Hurdle – Even Dawn
1972: County Handicap Hurdle – Cold Day
1972: County Handicap Hurdle – Cold Day
1975: George Duller Handicap Hurdle – Blakedown
1975: George Duller Handicap Hurdle – Blakedown
1975: Haldon Gold Cup – Sandwilan
1975: Haldon Gold Cup – Sandwilan
1978: Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase – Space Project
1978: Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase – Space Project
1978: Midlands Grand National – Kick On
1978: Midlands Grand National – Kick On
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse