Walter Hunter
Walter Hunter
Article by Alan Trout
National Hunt jockey Walter Edward Hunter’s only win came at Bangor-on-Dee on April 29, 1967, when 8-1 chance Badger landed the Bettisfield Handicap Chase.
National Hunt jockey Walter Edward Hunter’s only win came at Bangor-on-Dee on April 29, 1967, when 8-1 chance Badger landed the Bettisfield Handicap Chase.
Owned and trained by permit holder George Stanley, based at Penistone, near Sheffield, Badger had already won two hurdle races that season. Walter had ridden the grey ten-year-old on his first outing of the campaign when finishing sixth over hurdles at Wetherby in February.
Owned and trained by permit holder George Stanley, based at Penistone, near Sheffield, Badger had already won two hurdle races that season. Walter had ridden the grey ten-year-old on his first outing of the campaign when finishing sixth over hurdles at Wetherby in February.
Their win at Bangor was by one and a half lengths from Convallaria, ridden by future champion jockey Bob Davies, then still a 5lb-claiming amateur. Leading Midlands rider Roy Edwards finished three lengths further back in third on the 3-1 favourite My Fair Laddie.
Their win at Bangor was by one and a half lengths from Convallaria, ridden by future champion jockey Bob Davies, then still a 5lb-claiming amateur. Leading Midlands rider Roy Edwards finished three lengths further back in third on the 3-1 favourite My Fair Laddie.
Walter’s season ended on a disappointing note when Badger fell in a four-runner chase at Hexham on Whit Monday, May 29.
Walter’s season ended on a disappointing note when Badger fell in a four-runner chase at Hexham on Whit Monday, May 29.
Those three rides on Badger comprised the sum of Walter’s mounts that season.
Those three rides on Badger comprised the sum of Walter’s mounts that season.
He suffered another fall from Badger’s stable companion Urchin Bank, his first ride of the following season in a Market Rasen selling hurdle on August 7, 1967. Frustratingly, that cost him a winning ride on Badger, who obliged in a novice riders’ handicap chase just half an hour later in the hands of substitute jockey Jeremy Glover.
He suffered another fall from Badger’s stable companion Urchin Bank, his first ride of the following season in a Market Rasen selling hurdle on August 7, 1967. Frustratingly, that cost him a winning ride on Badger, who obliged in a novice riders’ handicap chase just half an hour later in the hands of substitute jockey Jeremy Glover.
It may have been that the Market Rasen fall caused sufficient damage to end Walter’s career, for he relinquished his licence at the end of August 1967.
It may have been that the Market Rasen fall caused sufficient damage to end Walter’s career, for he relinquished his licence at the end of August 1967.
