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Steve Houlker
Steve Houlker
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Stephen Houlker made a promising start to his National Hunt career with six wins in each of his first two seasons but only added two more thereafter.
Stephen Houlker made a promising start to his National Hunt career with six wins in each of his first two seasons but only added two more thereafter.
He served his apprenticeship with Jack Berry at Cockerham and had his first ride on the opening day of the 1976/77 NH season, July 31, when Precious Pal finished sixth of nine runners in the Gainsborough Maiden Hurdle (Division 1) at Market Rasen.
He served his apprenticeship with Jack Berry at Cockerham and had his first ride on the opening day of the 1976/77 NH season, July 31, when Precious Pal finished sixth of nine runners in the Gainsborough Maiden Hurdle (Division 1) at Market Rasen.
He achieved his first success at Worcester on September 16 when Silver Gal was a comfortable winner of the Blackpole Selling Handicap Hurdle, the four-year-old beating Yellow Cloud by seven lengths. Just eleven days later the pair scored again at Carlisle, albeit this time only by a length and a half. In the spring he won three races on the novice hurdler New City.
He achieved his first success at Worcester on September 16 when Silver Gal was a comfortable winner of the Blackpole Selling Handicap Hurdle, the four-year-old beating Yellow Cloud by seven lengths. Just eleven days later the pair scored again at Carlisle, albeit this time only by a length and a half. In the spring he won three races on the novice hurdler New City.
Steve rode seven more winners over the course of the next year but then drew a blank for the 1978/79 season, before the selling hurdler Caleta Prince gave him first success for 22 months when scoring at Sedgefield in January 1980.
Steve rode seven more winners over the course of the next year but then drew a blank for the 1978/79 season, before the selling hurdler Caleta Prince gave him first success for 22 months when scoring at Sedgefield in January 1980.
It was at the same course on November 4, 1980 that Steve had his final victory when Thompson’s Policy, trained by former jump jockey Graham Lockerbie, ran on strongly to land the Teesdale Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
It was at the same course on November 4, 1980 that Steve had his final victory when Thompson’s Policy, trained by former jump jockey Graham Lockerbie, ran on strongly to land the Teesdale Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
Despite having nearly 60 rides that season he was unable to add to his total. He had his final mount when Shalotra finished second in the Carcluie Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Ayr on March 16, 1981.
Despite having nearly 60 rides that season he was unable to add to his total. He had his final mount when Shalotra finished second in the Carcluie Opportunity Handicap Hurdle at Ayr on March 16, 1981.
Steve Houlker’s wins were, in chronological order:
Steve Houlker’s wins were, in chronological order:
1. Silver Gal, Worcester, September 16, 1976
1. Silver Gal, Worcester, September 16, 1976
2. Silver Gal, Carlisle, September 27, 1976
2. Silver Gal, Carlisle, September 27, 1976
3. New City, Teesside Park, March 11, 1977
3. New City, Teesside Park, March 11, 1977
4. New City, Teesside Park, March 11, 1977
4. New City, Teesside Park, March 11, 1977
5. New City, Bangor-on-Dee, April 16, 1977
5. New City, Bangor-on-Dee, April 16, 1977
6. Hurry Back, Cartmel, June 4, 1977
6. Hurry Back, Cartmel, June 4, 1977
7. Mary McQuaker, Cartmel, August 29, 1977
7. Mary McQuaker, Cartmel, August 29, 1977
8. Mactavish, Ayr, December 8, 1977
8. Mactavish, Ayr, December 8, 1977
9. Limpopo, Sedgefield, December 16, 1977
9. Limpopo, Sedgefield, December 16, 1977
10. Meads Manor, Sedgefield, December 26, 1977
10. Meads Manor, Sedgefield, December 26, 1977
11. Limpopo, Sedgefield, January 24, 1978
11. Limpopo, Sedgefield, January 24, 1978
12. Et Tu, Uttoxeter, March 18, 1978
12. Et Tu, Uttoxeter, March 18, 1978
13. Caleta Prince, Sedgefield, January 22, 1980
13. Caleta Prince, Sedgefield, January 22, 1980
14. Thompson’s Policy, Sedgefield, November 4, 1980
14. Thompson’s Policy, Sedgefield, November 4, 1980
Steve Houlker's first winner, 1976
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