Brian Lee
1941 - 2017
1941 - 2017
The son of a weaver, Brian Lee was born in Halifax on May 25 1941. During his last term at school it was a toss-up whether he became an apprentice painter or an apprentice in stables. His weight of 5st 2lb decided his future and prompted his father to approach Malton trainer Ernie Davey.
The son of a weaver, Brian Lee was born in Halifax on May 25 1941. During his last term at school it was a toss-up whether he became an apprentice painter or an apprentice in stables. His weight of 5st 2lb decided his future and prompted his father to approach Malton trainer Ernie Davey.
When Brian arrived at Ernie Davey’s stable during the summer of 1956, he was sent off to the trainer’s stud four miles away to spend six months becoming acquainted with horses and stable life generally.
When Brian arrived at Ernie Davey’s stable during the summer of 1956, he was sent off to the trainer’s stud four miles away to spend six months becoming acquainted with horses and stable life generally.
Two years later, Brian had progressed sufficiently to be given his first ride in public, Nigger Shine (right) at Catterick on April 30, 1958, finishing tenth of the eleven runners. He rode his first winner, Game Star, at Beverley on June 3, 1959. He increased his score to five by the end of that season.
Two years later, Brian had progressed sufficiently to be given his first ride in public, Nigger Shine (right) at Catterick on April 30, 1958, finishing tenth of the eleven runners. He rode his first winner, Game Star, at Beverley on June 3, 1959. He increased his score to five by the end of that season.
Brian’s ability in the saddle was noticed the following year by Major Lionel Holliday, who approached Ernie Davey with a view to engaging the lad to ride his lightweights. It was while this retainer was being discussed that Brian landed a hat-trick in the first three races at Ripon on the Tuesday of August bank holiday week. He wound up a successful season by winning the Liverpool Autumn Cup on the Eric Cousins-trained Chalk Stream, giving him a score of 27 for the year.
Brian’s ability in the saddle was noticed the following year by Major Lionel Holliday, who approached Ernie Davey with a view to engaging the lad to ride his lightweights. It was while this retainer was being discussed that Brian landed a hat-trick in the first three races at Ripon on the Tuesday of August bank holiday week. He wound up a successful season by winning the Liverpool Autumn Cup on the Eric Cousins-trained Chalk Stream, giving him a score of 27 for the year.
More important successes were in store. He began the 1961 season with a Lincolnshire Handicap triumph on Johns Court, again for Eric Cousins. It was a dramatic race in which Small Slam, ridden by Harry Carr, fell and brought down Keith Temple-Nidd’s mount Penates. Temple-Nidd was unhurt but Carr sustained a broken collarbone and two broken bones just above an ankle.
More important successes were in store. He began the 1961 season with a Lincolnshire Handicap triumph on Johns Court, again for Eric Cousins. It was a dramatic race in which Small Slam, ridden by Harry Carr, fell and brought down Keith Temple-Nidd’s mount Penates. Temple-Nidd was unhurt but Carr sustained a broken collarbone and two broken bones just above an ankle.
A month later, Brian rode out his claim when winning on Major Holliday’s sprinter Gallivanter – whom he rated the best he rode during his career – in the Ripon City Handicap. Then, on May 6, he won the Kempton Park Great Jubilee Handicap on Chalk Stream. Now came the critical period of having to compete with senior riders on level terms. He came through with flying colours and finished the season as champion apprentice with a total of 52 winners, his best season, numerically.
A month later, Brian rode out his claim when winning on Major Holliday’s sprinter Gallivanter – whom he rated the best he rode during his career – in the Ripon City Handicap. Then, on May 6, he won the Kempton Park Great Jubilee Handicap on Chalk Stream. Now came the critical period of having to compete with senior riders on level terms. He came through with flying colours and finished the season as champion apprentice with a total of 52 winners, his best season, numerically.
On July 27, 1962, he married Maureen Valerie Burt; she gave him a son, Brian Alan, and a daughter, Deborah Lynda. They lived at 1, Manor Park, Broughton, Malton. Away from racing, Brian loved football and a game of snooker.
On July 27, 1962, he married Maureen Valerie Burt; she gave him a son, Brian Alan, and a daughter, Deborah Lynda. They lived at 1, Manor Park, Broughton, Malton. Away from racing, Brian loved football and a game of snooker.
He completed his apprenticeship that same year but continued to ride regularly for Ernie Davey, along with other northern trainers. He won back-to-back renewals of the Usher-Vaux Brewery Gold Tankard at Ayr, on By Jupiter! (1963) and Pluit (1964) and enjoyed a particularly good year in 1965, riding 24 winners. Thereafter, however, the numbers steadily dwindled and by the end of the 1960s they were in single figures.
He completed his apprenticeship that same year but continued to ride regularly for Ernie Davey, along with other northern trainers. He won back-to-back renewals of the Usher-Vaux Brewery Gold Tankard at Ayr, on By Jupiter! (1963) and Pluit (1964) and enjoyed a particularly good year in 1965, riding 24 winners. Thereafter, however, the numbers steadily dwindled and by the end of the 1960s they were in single figures.
Brian rode his last British winner on Peter Easterby’s filly Rosemarkie in a three-year-old handicap at Hamilton Park on July 14, 1972. Shortly afterwards, he packed his bags, boots and saddle and completed his riding career in Austria.
Brian rode his last British winner on Peter Easterby’s filly Rosemarkie in a three-year-old handicap at Hamilton Park on July 14, 1972. Shortly afterwards, he packed his bags, boots and saddle and completed his riding career in Austria.
Brian Lee died in Hull, aged 76, on November 30, 2017 after suffering a stroke. He was buried there on December 14.
Brian Lee died in Hull, aged 76, on November 30, 2017 after suffering a stroke. He was buried there on December 14.
