Derek King
Derek King
Derek King
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Derek Leonard King rode two winners over jumps in March 1966. On the 10th, his mount Council Rock overhauled Sir Blessington, ridden by Ron Vibert, on the run-in to win the Field-Fare Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton. Trained by Fred Winter, the six-year-old had gone chasing earlier in the season but two falls had hindered his progress. Derek had already ridden him over hurdles, finishing fifth at Plumpton in January.
Derek Leonard King rode two winners over jumps in March 1966. On the 10th, his mount Council Rock overhauled Sir Blessington, ridden by Ron Vibert, on the run-in to win the Field-Fare Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton. Trained by Fred Winter, the six-year-old had gone chasing earlier in the season but two falls had hindered his progress. Derek had already ridden him over hurdles, finishing fifth at Plumpton in January.
He kept the ride for Council Rock’s next outing at Fontwell Park on March 23, when second to Sir Mark Prescott on Propellent Miss.
He kept the ride for Council Rock’s next outing at Fontwell Park on March 23, when second to Sir Mark Prescott on Propellent Miss.
Before that Fontwell effort, Derek had doubled his score when landing the Stanhope Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield on the 19th aboard Cordonis. This was the seven-year-old’s 13th race of the season. Although he’d won a race at Devon & Exeter in August, when ridden by top amateur Chris Collins, his recent form had been disappointing, failing to finish on his last three starts. However, with Derek in the saddle for the first time, they beat the favourite En Bee, ridden by Eric Campbell, by a neck.
Before that Fontwell effort, Derek had doubled his score when landing the Stanhope Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield on the 19th aboard Cordonis. This was the seven-year-old’s 13th race of the season. Although he’d won a race at Devon & Exeter in August, when ridden by top amateur Chris Collins, his recent form had been disappointing, failing to finish on his last three starts. However, with Derek in the saddle for the first time, they beat the favourite En Bee, ridden by Eric Campbell, by a neck.
Derek had three more rides on Cordonis but they all finished well down the field. He relinquished his licence in May 1967, having had no further success.
Derek had three more rides on Cordonis but they all finished well down the field. He relinquished his licence in May 1967, having had no further success.
