Jeff King
Jeff King
For a jockey so highly rated by his fellow professionals, his Grand National record was abysmal - no wins from 15 rides - and a list of big races reaped is woefully thin. His final total of races won, 710, is reasonable but not exceptional.
For a jockey so highly rated by his fellow professionals, his Grand National record was abysmal - no wins from 15 rides - and a list of big races reaped is woefully thin. His final total of races won, 710, is reasonable but not exceptional.
Dubbed by many to be the best jockey never to be champion - though fans of Adrian Maguire might disagree - Jeff was born in Shaldon Village, which stood on the mouth of the River Teign a mile or so shy of Newton Abbot racecourse.
Dubbed by many to be the best jockey never to be champion - though fans of Adrian Maguire might disagree - Jeff was born in Shaldon Village, which stood on the mouth of the River Teign a mile or so shy of Newton Abbot racecourse.
It all began with his good-natured Uncle Reg, upon whose back the young, aspiring jockey would practise his techniques endlessly.
It all began with his good-natured Uncle Reg, upon whose back the young, aspiring jockey would practise his techniques endlessly.
On leaving school he became apprenticed to Sir Gordon Richards at Marlborough. He had a few rides on the flat but no winners, and when his weight suddenly shot up, he transferred his developing skills to the National Hunt scene.
On leaving school he became apprenticed to Sir Gordon Richards at Marlborough. He had a few rides on the flat but no winners, and when his weight suddenly shot up, he transferred his developing skills to the National Hunt scene.
Eventually he was employed as stable jockey to Bob Turnell, sharing the rides with his friend Johnny Haine, but when Bob Turnell's son Andy came of age, he was given the rides and Jeff lost his job after 13 years.
Eventually he was employed as stable jockey to Bob Turnell, sharing the rides with his friend Johnny Haine, but when Bob Turnell's son Andy came of age, he was given the rides and Jeff lost his job after 13 years.
He was then retained by trainer Peter Bailey for several years before turning freelance.
He was then retained by trainer Peter Bailey for several years before turning freelance.
Jeff's first big win came on Red Tide in the 1964 Topham Trophy. Two days later, he was on board Beau Normand in the Grand National: the horse refused at the eleventh.
Jeff's first big win came on Red Tide in the 1964 Topham Trophy. Two days later, he was on board Beau Normand in the Grand National: the horse refused at the eleventh.
Born on July 6, 1941, Jeff was a quiet, though opinionated, character who many owners and trainers would go out of their way to avoid having him ride their horses.
Born on July 6, 1941, Jeff was a quiet, though opinionated, character who many owners and trainers would go out of their way to avoid having him ride their horses.
Jeff was a superstitious man, constantly saluting magpies, never travelling in a green car and always putting his left riding boot on first.
Jeff was a superstitious man, constantly saluting magpies, never travelling in a green car and always putting his left riding boot on first.
He enjoyed a game of dominoes, and, with a handicap of 14, was a more than an average golf club player. He only had one bet in his life, a short-head winner ridden by Scobie Breasley. Though it was only a fiver, he was so shaken by nearly losing it that he resolved never to bet again.
He enjoyed a game of dominoes, and, with a handicap of 14, was a more than an average golf club player. He only had one bet in his life, a short-head winner ridden by Scobie Breasley. Though it was only a fiver, he was so shaken by nearly losing it that he resolved never to bet again.
In 1967, at Huntingdon on Easter Monday, fractured his skull.
In 1967, at Huntingdon on Easter Monday, fractured his skull.
Before calling time on his career, Jeff had ridden in 15 Grand Nationals. His one runner as a trainer, Spartan Orient in 1987, fell at the twelfth.
Before calling time on his career, Jeff had ridden in 15 Grand Nationals. His one runner as a trainer, Spartan Orient in 1987, fell at the twelfth.
Jeff only trained for a short while, sending out runners from his stables at Broad Hinton, some six miles outside Swindon.
Jeff only trained for a short while, sending out runners from his stables at Broad Hinton, some six miles outside Swindon.
Jeff bought a house overlooking Marlborough Downs, plus 40 acres of land: once retired he became the gentleman farmer, tending his cows and tractoring his fields.
Jeff bought a house overlooking Marlborough Downs, plus 40 acres of land: once retired he became the gentleman farmer, tending his cows and tractoring his fields.
Jeff married Maureen: she gave him a son, David.
Jeff married Maureen: she gave him a son, David.
Jeff King
Jeff King
Big winners:
Big winners:
1964: County Handicap Hurdle – Icy Wonder
1964: County Handicap Hurdle – Icy Wonder
1964: Topham Trophy Chase – Red Tide
1964: Topham Trophy Chase – Red Tide
1965: Stone’s Ginger Wine Chase – Rondetto
1965: Stone’s Ginger Wine Chase – Rondetto
1965: Imperial Cup – Kildavin
1965: Imperial Cup – Kildavin
1966: Mildmay of Flete Chase – Tibidabo
1966: Mildmay of Flete Chase – Tibidabo
1966: Massey-Ferguson Gold Cup – The Laird
1966: Massey-Ferguson Gold Cup – The Laird
1966: King George VI Chase – Dormant
1966: King George VI Chase – Dormant
1967: Stone’s Ginger Wine Chase – The Laird
1967: Stone’s Ginger Wine Chase – The Laird
1967: Gloucestershire Hurdle – Early To Rise
1967: Gloucestershire Hurdle – Early To Rise
1967: Spa Hurdle – Beau Normand
1967: Spa Hurdle – Beau Normand
1967: Hennessy Gold Cup – Rondetto
1967: Hennessy Gold Cup – Rondetto
1968: Grand Annual Chase – Hal’s Farewell
1968: Grand Annual Chase – Hal’s Farewell
1970: Liverpool Handicap Hurdle – Tudor Legend
1970: Liverpool Handicap Hurdle – Tudor Legend
1971: Coventry Pattern Handicap Chase – The Laird
1971: Coventry Pattern Handicap Chase – The Laird
1971: Cathcart Challenge Cup Chase – The Laird
1971: Cathcart Challenge Cup Chase – The Laird
1971: Black & White Whisky Gold Cup – Jabeg
1971: Black & White Whisky Gold Cup – Jabeg
1972: Grand Annual Chase – Tudor Dance
1972: Grand Annual Chase – Tudor Dance
1973: Schweppes Gold Trophy – Indianapolis
1973: Schweppes Gold Trophy – Indianapolis
1974: Imperial Cup – Flash Imp
1974: Imperial Cup – Flash Imp
1974: Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase – Canasta Lad
1974: Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase – Canasta Lad
1975: Mildmay-Cazalet Memorial Chase – Money Market
1975: Mildmay-Cazalet Memorial Chase – Money Market
1975: S.G.B. Handicap Chase – What A Buck
1975: S.G.B. Handicap Chase – What A Buck
1976: Whitbread Gold Cup – Otter Way
1976: Whitbread Gold Cup – Otter Way