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1933 - 2025
1933 - 2025
National Hunt jockey Stanley Hayhurst was born in Carrville, Co. Durham on September 4, 1933, the son of a farm general labourer. He was apprenticed to Verly Bewicke, who then trained at Close House in Wylam, Northumberland, but moved to Shawdon Hall, Glanton, near Alnwick in 1953. He rode his first winner on Carpact in the Darden Handicap Hurdle at Hexham on October 30, 1950.
National Hunt jockey Stanley Hayhurst was born in Carrville, Co. Durham on September 4, 1933, the son of a farm general labourer. He was apprenticed to Verly Bewicke, who then trained at Close House in Wylam, Northumberland, but moved to Shawdon Hall, Glanton, near Alnwick in 1953. He rode his first winner on Carpact in the Darden Handicap Hurdle at Hexham on October 30, 1950.
His career was interrupted in the mid-1950s by National Service. He served two years with the RAVC in Kenya at the time of the Mau Mau uprising, a movement that launched an armed struggle against British rule. He had one ride while in Kenya, in a hurdle race on Grand National day 1956. He recalled listening (on armed forces radio) that afternoon to Devon Loch’s collapse and Dave Dick going on to an unlikely triumph on ESB.
His career was interrupted in the mid-1950s by National Service. He served two years with the RAVC in Kenya at the time of the Mau Mau uprising, a movement that launched an armed struggle against British rule. He had one ride while in Kenya, in a hurdle race on Grand National day 1956. He recalled listening (on armed forces radio) that afternoon to Devon Loch’s collapse and Dave Dick going on to an unlikely triumph on ESB.
Having returned to Britain and resumed race-riding, Stan was the jockey on board Kerstin when, in 1958, she became only the second mare to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, beating Polar Flight by half a length. Trained by Verly Bewicke, she had finished runner-up the previous year when ridden by George Milburn, with whom Stan shared the stable’s rides.
Having returned to Britain and resumed race-riding, Stan was the jockey on board Kerstin when, in 1958, she became only the second mare to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, beating Polar Flight by half a length. Trained by Verly Bewicke, she had finished runner-up the previous year when ridden by George Milburn, with whom Stan shared the stable’s rides.
Recalling the highlight of his career, Stan said: “It was very exciting for a mare from this part of the country to win the Cup. We won £5,700, which was a substantial sum of money back then, but not compared with what they earn now.”
Recalling the highlight of his career, Stan said: “It was very exciting for a mare from this part of the country to win the Cup. We won £5,700, which was a substantial sum of money back then, but not compared with what they earn now.”
Stan rode Kerstin to victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup (run then at Cheltenham) and the equally valuable Imperial Leather Chase at Manchester in 1959. He had also ridden her in that year’s Grand National. Despite having to shoulder top weight of 12 stone, the form book relates that she was in touch with the leaders when being brought down at Becher’s second time round.
Stan rode Kerstin to victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup (run then at Cheltenham) and the equally valuable Imperial Leather Chase at Manchester in 1959. He had also ridden her in that year’s Grand National. Despite having to shoulder top weight of 12 stone, the form book relates that she was in touch with the leaders when being brought down at Becher’s second time round.
It was eight years before his next Grand National mount, on Castle Falls in 1967. They were up there with the leaders alongside John Leech on Rutherfords when, to quote commentator Micheal O’Hehir: “And Rutherfords has been hampered and so has Castle Falls. Rondetto has fallen, Princeful has fallen, Norther has fallen, Kirtle-Lad has fallen, The Fossa has fallen; there’s a right pile-up. Leedsy has climbed over the fence and left his jockey there; and now, with all this mayhem, Foinavon has gone off on his own.” We all know the rest. Stan was one of several who remounted, completing the course in fourteenth place.
It was eight years before his next Grand National mount, on Castle Falls in 1967. They were up there with the leaders alongside John Leech on Rutherfords when, to quote commentator Micheal O’Hehir: “And Rutherfords has been hampered and so has Castle Falls. Rondetto has fallen, Princeful has fallen, Norther has fallen, Kirtle-Lad has fallen, The Fossa has fallen; there’s a right pile-up. Leedsy has climbed over the fence and left his jockey there; and now, with all this mayhem, Foinavon has gone off on his own.” We all know the rest. Stan was one of several who remounted, completing the course in fourteenth place.
Stan rode Castle Falls again in the 1969 Grand National and again got round, leading from the twelfth to the fourteenth fence before trailing home in second last position.
Stan rode Castle Falls again in the 1969 Grand National and again got round, leading from the twelfth to the fourteenth fence before trailing home in second last position.
He achieved his last two big race successes on the same afternoon at Ayr, winning the Champion Novices’ Chase and the Scottish Champion Hurdle – both now Grade 2 contests – in April 1970.
He achieved his last two big race successes on the same afternoon at Ayr, winning the Champion Novices’ Chase and the Scottish Champion Hurdle – both now Grade 2 contests – in April 1970.
He rode his last winner on selling hurdler Sea Romance at Teesside Park (Stockton) on December 7, 1972.
He rode his last winner on selling hurdler Sea Romance at Teesside Park (Stockton) on December 7, 1972.
He had his final ride at his local course, Sedgefield, on May 31, 1973, aboard the Ken Oliver-trained Arctic Explorer, finishing last of six in a two-mile chase, after which he announced his retirement.
He had his final ride at his local course, Sedgefield, on May 31, 1973, aboard the Ken Oliver-trained Arctic Explorer, finishing last of six in a two-mile chase, after which he announced his retirement.
Stan rode a total of 301 winners during his career, including 14 on the Bobby Hall-trained hurdler/chaser Tommy French. He enjoyed his most successful season in 1959/60 with 32 winners, finishing in tenth place in the jump jockeys’ table, the highest position he ever attained.
Stan rode a total of 301 winners during his career, including 14 on the Bobby Hall-trained hurdler/chaser Tommy French. He enjoyed his most successful season in 1959/60 with 32 winners, finishing in tenth place in the jump jockeys’ table, the highest position he ever attained.
After quitting the saddle, he ran a newsagent’s and confectioner’s shop on the outskirts of Sunderland. He and his wife Patricia moved to Consett in 1974. They stayed there until 1987, when they started a livery yard at West Woodburn, on the edge of Northumberland National Park, handling point-to-pointers and hunters, breaking in and schooling young horses.
After quitting the saddle, he ran a newsagent’s and confectioner’s shop on the outskirts of Sunderland. He and his wife Patricia moved to Consett in 1974. They stayed there until 1987, when they started a livery yard at West Woodburn, on the edge of Northumberland National Park, handling point-to-pointers and hunters, breaking in and schooling young horses.
He also officiated as a racecourse judge before, in 1982, becoming a steward at meetings at Newcastle, Hexham and Sedgefield. In later years, Stan was involved in instructing children riding in pony races at local point-to-points.
He also officiated as a racecourse judge before, in 1982, becoming a steward at meetings at Newcastle, Hexham and Sedgefield. In later years, Stan was involved in instructing children riding in pony races at local point-to-points.
Stan Hayhurst died in Hexham Hospital on July 2, 2025 following a short illness at the age of 91.
Stan Hayhurst died in Hexham Hospital on July 2, 2025 following a short illness at the age of 91.
Biggest winner: Cheltenham Gold Cup on Kerstin (1958)
Biggest winner: Cheltenham Gold Cup on Kerstin (1958)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1959: Hennessy Gold Cup (Cheltenham) – Kerstin
1959: Hennessy Gold Cup (Cheltenham) – Kerstin
1959: Imperial Leather Chase (Manchester) – Kerstin
1959: Imperial Leather Chase (Manchester) – Kerstin
1964: Eider Chase – Vice Regent
1964: Eider Chase – Vice Regent
1964: Catterick Grand National Trial – The Count
1964: Catterick Grand National Trial – The Count
1964: Wetherby Grand National Trial – The Count
1964: Wetherby Grand National Trial – The Count
1965: Durham National – Lucky Domino
1965: Durham National – Lucky Domino
1966: Perthshire Challenge Cup – Red Alligator
1966: Perthshire Challenge Cup – Red Alligator
1970: Champion Novices’ Chase – Mischievous Monk
1970: Champion Novices’ Chase – Mischievous Monk
1970: Scottish Champion Hurdle – Easter Pirate
1970: Scottish Champion Hurdle – Easter Pirate
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