Legendary American jockey John Longden rode 6,032 winners during his career. National Hunt jockey Graham Longden rode rather fewer than that, 6,030 fewer to be precise, despite a career that spanned some 12 years. But he was one of those behind the scenes toilers who represent the backbone of British racing.
Graham first took out a licence in the 1957/58 season. In September 1959, a horse called Shahspeg, trained and ridden by Jim Cartwright, won a Market Rasen selling hurdle and was bought at the auction by Mr J. M. Longden for 150 guineas. The horse was sent to be trained by Fred Taylor at Wiseton, near Doncaster.
Presumably, Mr Longden was related in some way to aspiring jockey Graham, for it was he who steered Shahspeg to victory in the Rase Selling Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, April 18, 1960. That was the first win of Graham’s career. Shahspeg was bought in at the post-race auction for 270 guineas.
It proved a sound investment as Shahspeg and Graham returned to Market Rasen on October 15, 1960 to win another selling hurdle, this time being bought in but for a much lower price of 100 guineas.
Sadly, they were to prove Graham’s only two visits to the winner’s enclosure. He did not hold a licence after the 1960/61 season but renewed it for the 1963/64 and 64/65 campaigns. He then had two more seasons without a licence before renewing it again in 1967. By then Graham had joined Staunton Grange, Nottinghamshire trainer Jack Hardy.
Almost ten years after his two victories, Graham finally looked to have ridden a third winner when finishing first on Risky in the Wharfedale Selling Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby on Easter Monday, March 30, 1970, beating Valairon by a neck. However, Valairon’s veteran trainer-jockey Cliff Boothman objected to the winner on grounds of interference and Risky was disqualified and placed second.
Graham had his final ride in public on Most Royal when finishing fourth of 12 runners at Southwell on October 12, 1970. He relinquished his licence for a final time later that season.