Carl Llewellyn
The son of a farmer, Carl Harries Llewellyn was born at Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire, on July 29, 1965.
The son of a farmer, Carl Harries Llewellyn was born at Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire, on July 29, 1965.
He devoted most of his boyhood leisure hours to riding his pony on the family farm in west Wales. Graduating to riding in point-to-points, he then spent a year as a stable amateur working for Stan Mellor for the princely sum of £5 per week. Then, at the suggestion of jockey Hywel Davies, he applied for a job with trainer Jim Old. This gave him invaluable experience.
He devoted most of his boyhood leisure hours to riding his pony on the family farm in west Wales. Graduating to riding in point-to-points, he then spent a year as a stable amateur working for Stan Mellor for the princely sum of £5 per week. Then, at the suggestion of jockey Hywel Davies, he applied for a job with trainer Jim Old. This gave him invaluable experience.
Four years later he was ready to move on to Tim Foster's yard and, in the 1987-88 season, he took the conditional jockeys' title with 41 winners.
Four years later he was ready to move on to Tim Foster's yard and, in the 1987-88 season, he took the conditional jockeys' title with 41 winners.
In 1992, Andy Adams, the regular pilot of Party Politics, broke a leg and Carl came in for the ride. The horse had breathing problems and, passing the stands on the first circuit, was making terrible gurgling noises. Carl was very unhappy, thinking he didn't stand a chance, but as the race developed, Party Politics grew stronger and stronger, eventually running away with the race.
In 1992, Andy Adams, the regular pilot of Party Politics, broke a leg and Carl came in for the ride. The horse had breathing problems and, passing the stands on the first circuit, was making terrible gurgling noises. Carl was very unhappy, thinking he didn't stand a chance, but as the race developed, Party Politics grew stronger and stronger, eventually running away with the race.
In 1998, Tom Jenks, the regular pilot of Earth Summit, broke a leg and once again Carl came in for a fortuitous ride. His second piece of luck that weekend was the arrival of rain on the eve of the race. The horse was a confirmed mudlarker and could not have won without it.
In 1998, Tom Jenks, the regular pilot of Earth Summit, broke a leg and once again Carl came in for a fortuitous ride. His second piece of luck that weekend was the arrival of rain on the eve of the race. The horse was a confirmed mudlarker and could not have won without it.
Carl had his own share of injuries: once, after a seven-month lay-off having smashed his ankle and being told he would never race again, he returned to the saddle, only to come down on his second mount back and break his elbow.
Carl had his own share of injuries: once, after a seven-month lay-off having smashed his ankle and being told he would never race again, he returned to the saddle, only to come down on his second mount back and break his elbow.
Carl was still riding at forty but had also begun to train. He both trained and rode the 2006 Scottish Grand National winner Run For Paddy.
Carl was still riding at forty but had also begun to train. He both trained and rode the 2006 Scottish Grand National winner Run For Paddy.
His best wins included:
His best wins included:
1987: Glynwed International - Brave Hussar
1987: Glynwed International - Brave Hussar
1988: Mildmay of Flete - Smart Tar
1988: Mildmay of Flete - Smart Tar
1992: S.G.B. Handicap Chase - Captain Dibble
1992: S.G.B. Handicap Chase - Captain Dibble
1992: Grand National - Party Politics
1992: Grand National - Party Politics
1992: Mackeson -Tipping Tim
1992: Mackeson -Tipping Tim
1992: National Hunt Chase - Tipping Tim
1992: National Hunt Chase - Tipping Tim
1993: Greenalls Gold Cup - Party Politics
1993: Greenalls Gold Cup - Party Politics
1993: Sun Alliance - Gaelstrom
1993: Sun Alliance - Gaelstrom
1994: Supreme Novices - Arctic Kinsman
1994: Supreme Novices - Arctic Kinsman
1998: Triumph Hurdle - Upgrade
1998: Triumph Hurdle - Upgrade
1998: Grand National - Earth Summit
1998: Grand National - Earth Summit
2000: Whitbread - Beau
2000: Whitbread - Beau
2006: Scottish Grand National - Run For Paddy
2006: Scottish Grand National - Run For Paddy