Chris Leonard
Born on September 30, 1950, Chris was apprenticed to Bruce Hobbs between 1967 and 1969, and rode his first winner, Wandering Eyes, at Newbury on Friday, May 30, 1969.
Born on September 30, 1950, Chris was apprenticed to Bruce Hobbs between 1967 and 1969, and rode his first winner, Wandering Eyes, at Newbury on Friday, May 30, 1969.
He subsequently moved to Frenchie Nicholson and rode 50 winners in Britain and abroad before coming out of his time in 1973.
He subsequently moved to Frenchie Nicholson and rode 50 winners in Britain and abroad before coming out of his time in 1973.
The best horse he rode was Peter O’Sullevan’s Attivo, on whom he won the valuable Tote Roll-Up Handicap at Chester on August 31, 1973.
The best horse he rode was Peter O’Sullevan’s Attivo, on whom he won the valuable Tote Roll-Up Handicap at Chester on August 31, 1973.
Chris was seriously injured in the car crash which killed his friend George Kyle on July 21, 1974, but eventually recovered to resume his riding career.
Chris was seriously injured in the car crash which killed his friend George Kyle on July 21, 1974, but eventually recovered to resume his riding career.
In 1977 he joined Pat Haslam’s Newmarket yard. Able to ride at 7st 0lb, it was for Haslam that he won the Singleton Handicap at Goodwood on 5-4 favourite Pencil Point on July 29, 1981.
In 1977 he joined Pat Haslam’s Newmarket yard. Able to ride at 7st 0lb, it was for Haslam that he won the Singleton Handicap at Goodwood on 5-4 favourite Pencil Point on July 29, 1981.
However, his career was ended just three days after that Goodwood victory by a fall on one of his frequent trips to Ostend in Belgium. The 30-year-old lightweight was badly injured when his mount broke a leg in the final furlong and crashed on top of him. He sustained a compound fracture of the skull and was left permanently deaf in his right ear, with disturbed vision and with limited use of his right ankle. He also lost his sense of smell.
However, his career was ended just three days after that Goodwood victory by a fall on one of his frequent trips to Ostend in Belgium. The 30-year-old lightweight was badly injured when his mount broke a leg in the final furlong and crashed on top of him. He sustained a compound fracture of the skull and was left permanently deaf in his right ear, with disturbed vision and with limited use of his right ankle. He also lost his sense of smell.
He was told never to ride again. He hoped to return to racing in some capacity but was advised to rest for a year before working.
He was told never to ride again. He hoped to return to racing in some capacity but was advised to rest for a year before working.
Due to his disabilities he found it difficult to get work. He eventually found employment as a barman at the Marlborough Club in Newmarket.
Due to his disabilities he found it difficult to get work. He eventually found employment as a barman at the Marlborough Club in Newmarket.
On January 4, 1995 he was found hanged at his lodgings in Newmarket which had been provided by the Injured Jockeys Fund. He had committed suicide. Police found no suspicious circumstances. He was 44 at the time of his tragic death.
On January 4, 1995 he was found hanged at his lodgings in Newmarket which had been provided by the Injured Jockeys Fund. He had committed suicide. Police found no suspicious circumstances. He was 44 at the time of his tragic death.