Ben Leigh
Amateur rider Ben Leigh, a serving soldier in the 11th Hussars, brought home Rueil an easy winner of the 1965 Grand Military Gold Cup. It was the first time that the 11th Hussars had won this historic race.
Amateur rider Ben Leigh, a serving soldier in the 11th Hussars, brought home Rueil an easy winner of the 1965 Grand Military Gold Cup. It was the first time that the 11th Hussars had won this historic race.
Ben was the son of Lord Leigh, who trained under permit at the family seat at Stoneleigh Abbey, Kenilworth. He and two of his three brothers coxed the Eton eight, and his youngest brother Michael was at that time steering the Oxford boat. Ben’s eldest brother, John, rode with considerable success under National Hunt rules in the 1950s and early 1960s, riding a total of 17 winners on his father’s horses, notably on Jimuru, whom he rode in the 1961 Grand National, falling at Valentine’s.
Ben was the son of Lord Leigh, who trained under permit at the family seat at Stoneleigh Abbey, Kenilworth. He and two of his three brothers coxed the Eton eight, and his youngest brother Michael was at that time steering the Oxford boat. Ben’s eldest brother, John, rode with considerable success under National Hunt rules in the 1950s and early 1960s, riding a total of 17 winners on his father’s horses, notably on Jimuru, whom he rode in the 1961 Grand National, falling at Valentine’s.
Ben only weighed a little over 9st, so had to carry over 3st of lead when winning the Grand Military Gold Cup on Rueil. They were never worse than fourth and disputed second place with Brother J about three lengths behind Threepwood when passing the Sandown stands first time round. After jumping the water, Ben decided to take on Nick Ansell on Threepwood. The both flew the railway fences determined to cut each other down. It was Rueil who came off better, as Threepwood, trying to match his leaps, came down, breaking his rider’s collarbone. That left Rueil well clear and he went on to score by 12 lengths. It was his first riding success in Britain, though he had ridden winners when with his regiment in Germany.
Ben only weighed a little over 9st, so had to carry over 3st of lead when winning the Grand Military Gold Cup on Rueil. They were never worse than fourth and disputed second place with Brother J about three lengths behind Threepwood when passing the Sandown stands first time round. After jumping the water, Ben decided to take on Nick Ansell on Threepwood. The both flew the railway fences determined to cut each other down. It was Rueil who came off better, as Threepwood, trying to match his leaps, came down, breaking his rider’s collarbone. That left Rueil well clear and he went on to score by 12 lengths. It was his first riding success in Britain, though he had ridden winners when with his regiment in Germany.
It was in every sense a regimental triumph, for Tim Forster, who trained Rueil, was also in the 11th Hussars, as was his father and Lord Leigh, Ben’s father. Another link in the regimental chain was Sir Philip Payne-Gallwey, who chose and bought Rueil on Ben's behalf.
It was in every sense a regimental triumph, for Tim Forster, who trained Rueil, was also in the 11th Hussars, as was his father and Lord Leigh, Ben’s father. Another link in the regimental chain was Sir Philip Payne-Gallwey, who chose and bought Rueil on Ben's behalf.
Ben rode just one more winner in Britain, on Achilles Maid, whom he also owned and was also trained by Tim Forster, finishing a distance clear of the only other finisher in a four-runner selling hurdle at Fakenham on September 10, 1966.
Ben rode just one more winner in Britain, on Achilles Maid, whom he also owned and was also trained by Tim Forster, finishing a distance clear of the only other finisher in a four-runner selling hurdle at Fakenham on September 10, 1966.