Simon Hodgson
Simon Hodgson was born on August 10, 1966. He began a five-year apprenticeship on the Flat with Charlie Booth in North Yorkshire in 1982 and rode a winner on his first-ever mount in public, Barrie Baby in a nine-furlong apprentices’ handicap at York on September 6, 1984.
Simon Hodgson was born on August 10, 1966. He began a five-year apprenticeship on the Flat with Charlie Booth in North Yorkshire in 1982 and rode a winner on his first-ever mount in public, Barrie Baby in a nine-furlong apprentices’ handicap at York on September 6, 1984.
Weight problems necessitated a switch to jump racing and he moved south to link up with Toby Balding in 1987. He went on to ride a total of 34 winners from around 350 rides over seven seasons. He won three races in a row on Pardon Me Sir, culminating in the Hen Harrier Novices’ Hurdle at Ascot on April 10, 1991, which, at around £5,000 to the winner, gave him the biggest success of his career.
Weight problems necessitated a switch to jump racing and he moved south to link up with Toby Balding in 1987. He went on to ride a total of 34 winners from around 350 rides over seven seasons. He won three races in a row on Pardon Me Sir, culminating in the Hen Harrier Novices’ Hurdle at Ascot on April 10, 1991, which, at around £5,000 to the winner, gave him the biggest success of his career.
That 1990/91 campaign was also his most successful season in terms of numbers with eight winners. He’d ridden six the previous season.
That 1990/91 campaign was also his most successful season in terms of numbers with eight winners. He’d ridden six the previous season.
He finished second on Little Toro in the 1989 Imperial Cup and rode Toby Balding’s Farm Week in the 1993 void Grand National, falling at the fourth fence.
He finished second on Little Toro in the 1989 Imperial Cup and rode Toby Balding’s Farm Week in the 1993 void Grand National, falling at the fourth fence.
Simon had his final ride on Moran Brig at Windsor on February 2, 1984, trailing home last of the ten finishers. He then started a new job as head lad to Ken Cunningham-Brown. He later worked for Emma Lavelle before setting up on his own in 2012.
Simon had his final ride on Moran Brig at Windsor on February 2, 1984, trailing home last of the ten finishers. He then started a new job as head lad to Ken Cunningham-Brown. He later worked for Emma Lavelle before setting up on his own in 2012.
He sent out a handful of winners, including a double at Wincanton, but endured what he called “a very tough four and a half years”. Simon once went 18 months without saddling a winner.
He sent out a handful of winners, including a double at Wincanton, but endured what he called “a very tough four and a half years”. Simon once went 18 months without saddling a winner.
Simon nursed Quality Art back from two years without winning and lots of problems to win at Wolverhampton in March 2017. Tragically, however, the horse collapsed and died of a heart attack in his next race at Chelmsford three weeks later. For Simon, losing his flagship horse in that way was a devastating blow.
Simon nursed Quality Art back from two years without winning and lots of problems to win at Wolverhampton in March 2017. Tragically, however, the horse collapsed and died of a heart attack in his next race at Chelmsford three weeks later. For Simon, losing his flagship horse in that way was a devastating blow.
In May 2017, Simon announced he was quitting the training ranks, adding that he was proud to have bowed out of a 35-year career in the sport on his terms. He left racing altogether, landing a job in charge of the transport of lorries at a recycling firm in Andover.
In May 2017, Simon announced he was quitting the training ranks, adding that he was proud to have bowed out of a 35-year career in the sport on his terms. He left racing altogether, landing a job in charge of the transport of lorries at a recycling firm in Andover.