Carl Lowther
Carl Lowther was born on January 28, 1974, the son of motor mechanic Graham and hairdresser Ann-Marie. He rode 72 winners in 1998 and became champion apprentice. He rode a total of 219 winners during his career.
Carl Lowther was born on January 28, 1974, the son of motor mechanic Graham and hairdresser Ann-Marie. He rode 72 winners in 1998 and became champion apprentice. He rode a total of 219 winners during his career.
Having left school at 16, he had joined Jack Berry's Cockerham's yard some 30 miles away.
Having left school at 16, he had joined Jack Berry's Cockerham's yard some 30 miles away.
Recalling the time, Carl said: "I never pestered Jack for rides, but we struck a deal one year. I'd been in the Stable Lads' Boxing Championships the previous year, and Jack wanted me to go in for it again. I said I'd only agree if he promised to get my licence out the following season. He called me a cheeky so-and-so and a few other names, but it worked!"
Recalling the time, Carl said: "I never pestered Jack for rides, but we struck a deal one year. I'd been in the Stable Lads' Boxing Championships the previous year, and Jack wanted me to go in for it again. I said I'd only agree if he promised to get my licence out the following season. He called me a cheeky so-and-so and a few other names, but it worked!"
Carl readily admitted that the competition for rides among the Berry apprentices was pretty intense ("not that that does you any harm"), and that he was "a bit weak" in the early days.
Carl readily admitted that the competition for rides among the Berry apprentices was pretty intense ("not that that does you any harm"), and that he was "a bit weak" in the early days.
"I just had to wait my turn and be patient. But I never thought of packing it up."
"I just had to wait my turn and be patient. But I never thought of packing it up."
Then, in 1998, Hertfordshire trainer Peter Harris gave him the leg-up on the aptly-named Champagne Prince, and together the partnership lifted three valuable televised handicaps at Newmarket, Redcar and Epsom.
Then, in 1998, Hertfordshire trainer Peter Harris gave him the leg-up on the aptly-named Champagne Prince, and together the partnership lifted three valuable televised handicaps at Newmarket, Redcar and Epsom.
The 7lb claimer was on his way, at a rate of knots.
The 7lb claimer was on his way, at a rate of knots.
It proved yet again that nothing succeeds like success, and nothing turns the heads of trainers more than a rising young star with a valuable riding allowance.
It proved yet again that nothing succeeds like success, and nothing turns the heads of trainers more than a rising young star with a valuable riding allowance.
"Winning three big handicaps on the telly was a huge help, and got me noticed. After that, things just got better and better," said Lowther, who ended the season with a tally of 53 winners, a score bettered only by Royston Ffrench and Martin Dwyer among the junior ranks.
"Winning three big handicaps on the telly was a huge help, and got me noticed. After that, things just got better and better," said Lowther, who ended the season with a tally of 53 winners, a score bettered only by Royston Ffrench and Martin Dwyer among the junior ranks.
On Monday, May 5, of that year, he rode Bolshoi to victory in the Tripleprint Temple Plate at Sandown: not only was it the one-hundredth winner of his career - it was also his first group success.
On Monday, May 5, of that year, he rode Bolshoi to victory in the Tripleprint Temple Plate at Sandown: not only was it the one-hundredth winner of his career - it was also his first group success.
A few weeks later, riding at Royal Ascot, he seemingly furthered his career when landing a spectacular double on Selhurst Flyer, 16/1, in the Wokingham, and Bolshoi, 10/1, in the Kings Stand Stakes.
A few weeks later, riding at Royal Ascot, he seemingly furthered his career when landing a spectacular double on Selhurst Flyer, 16/1, in the Wokingham, and Bolshoi, 10/1, in the Kings Stand Stakes.
Given that Carl had waited four years for his first ride and endured a gap of sixteen months between his first and second win, it was some feat. It was also the zenith of his career.
Given that Carl had waited four years for his first ride and endured a gap of sixteen months between his first and second win, it was some feat. It was also the zenith of his career.
At Newcastle in June, 2000, and riding at his lightest, Carl became the first jockey to test positive for alcohol since testing from urine samples began in 1994. He was exonerated in somewhat incredible circumstances: finding it impossible to give a sample he asked if he could accelerate delivery by disappearing to the bar for a couple of pints. The testing official thought that this was an excellent idea!
At Newcastle in June, 2000, and riding at his lightest, Carl became the first jockey to test positive for alcohol since testing from urine samples began in 1994. He was exonerated in somewhat incredible circumstances: finding it impossible to give a sample he asked if he could accelerate delivery by disappearing to the bar for a couple of pints. The testing official thought that this was an excellent idea!
Then, having lost his allowance, the winners dried up.
Then, having lost his allowance, the winners dried up.
He had carried all before him in 1998 but, by September, 2008, it was a different person who faced Blackburn magistrates for racing off without paying after filling his car up with diesel.
He had carried all before him in 1998 but, by September, 2008, it was a different person who faced Blackburn magistrates for racing off without paying after filling his car up with diesel.
The magistrates heard that Carl Lowther, wearing a woollen hat, had covered the car number plate with a piece of paper when he pulled onto the Sommerfield’s service station.
The magistrates heard that Carl Lowther, wearing a woollen hat, had covered the car number plate with a piece of paper when he pulled onto the Sommerfield’s service station.
Carl, then 34, of Livingstone Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing £75 worth of diesel.
Carl, then 34, of Livingstone Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to stealing £75 worth of diesel.
He was fined £65 and ordered to pay £75 compensation and £75 costs.
He was fined £65 and ordered to pay £75 compensation and £75 costs.
Neil White, prosecuting, said when police stopped Lowther they found the hat and the piece of paper in his car.
Neil White, prosecuting, said when police stopped Lowther they found the hat and the piece of paper in his car.
He said Carl had been made subject to a 51-week prison sentence suspended for two years when he appeared at Burnley Crown Court in that July for assaulting his partner Tammy Holcroft.
He said Carl had been made subject to a 51-week prison sentence suspended for two years when he appeared at Burnley Crown Court in that July for assaulting his partner Tammy Holcroft.
The Crown Court also imposed a prohibition on him living with Tammy Holcroft for 12 weeks.
The Crown Court also imposed a prohibition on him living with Tammy Holcroft for 12 weeks.
“He is technically in breach of that order,” said Mr White.
“He is technically in breach of that order,” said Mr White.
Michael Blacklidge, defending, said when Lowther appeared before the Crown Court he was working in Hertfordshire as a lad in a racing stable.
Michael Blacklidge, defending, said when Lowther appeared before the Crown Court he was working in Hertfordshire as a lad in a racing stable.
“He came back to Blackburn because his girlfriend was hospitalised with pneumonia,” said Mr Blacklidge.
“He came back to Blackburn because his girlfriend was hospitalised with pneumonia,” said Mr Blacklidge.
“Having left his job and not receiving benefits he had no money and that was behind this offence.”
“Having left his job and not receiving benefits he had no money and that was behind this offence.”
Big winners
Big winners
1997: Zetland Gold Cup – Champagne Prince
1997: Zetland Gold Cup – Champagne Prince
1998: King’s Stand Stakes – Bolshoi
1998: King’s Stand Stakes – Bolshoi
1998: Wokingham Stakes – Selhurstpark Flyer
1998: Wokingham Stakes – Selhurstpark Flyer
1999: Old Newton Cup – Celestial Welcome
1999: Old Newton Cup – Celestial Welcome
2001: Carlisle Bell – Kestral
2001: Carlisle Bell – Kestral