Lawrence Love
Apprentice Lawrence Love came within a short head of landing a high-profile handicap. Had he done so, his career might have taken a different path.
Apprentice Lawrence Love came within a short head of landing a high-profile handicap. Had he done so, his career might have taken a different path.
Lawrence James Love was born in Haverton Hill, near Stockton in 1950. On leaving school he became apprenticed to Jack Calvert at Hambleton, near Thirsk. He had his first ride, aged 17, on Kulumidza at Pontefract on September 21, 1967, finishing fourth of seven. Nine days later, on only his second ride in public, Lawrence gained his first win when Kulumidza, a 33-1 outsider that day, landed the mile-and-a-half Coverdale Handicap at Catterick by two lengths. That was Lawrence’s sole success from just five rides that season.
Lawrence James Love was born in Haverton Hill, near Stockton in 1950. On leaving school he became apprenticed to Jack Calvert at Hambleton, near Thirsk. He had his first ride, aged 17, on Kulumidza at Pontefract on September 21, 1967, finishing fourth of seven. Nine days later, on only his second ride in public, Lawrence gained his first win when Kulumidza, a 33-1 outsider that day, landed the mile-and-a-half Coverdale Handicap at Catterick by two lengths. That was Lawrence’s sole success from just five rides that season.
The following year, his name went into many notebooks as an apprentice to follow, registering seven victories from 76 mounts. The first of those came in the opening week of the season, again on Kulumidza, in another mile-and-a-half handicap at Catterick.
The following year, his name went into many notebooks as an apprentice to follow, registering seven victories from 76 mounts. The first of those came in the opening week of the season, again on Kulumidza, in another mile-and-a-half handicap at Catterick.
He registered a double at Hamilton’s evening meeting in June aboard two of Jack Calvert’s handicappers, Felixkirk and Polar Sun, carrying 6st 10lb and 6st 11lb respectively. He won again on Felixkirk at Newcastle the following month. In September he won the Ripon Autumn Handicap on Kulumidza.
He registered a double at Hamilton’s evening meeting in June aboard two of Jack Calvert’s handicappers, Felixkirk and Polar Sun, carrying 6st 10lb and 6st 11lb respectively. He won again on Felixkirk at Newcastle the following month. In September he won the Ripon Autumn Handicap on Kulumidza.
Lawrence made a bright start to the 1969 campaign, winning three races in the opening weeks: Helsingor for County Durham trainer Taffy Williams, Jackbeth for Jack Calvert, and Paddy B for Dumfriesshire owner-trainer Andrew Barclay. In May he won yet another Catterick handicap on Kulumidza. By then, his apprentice allowance had been reduced from 7lb to 5lb.
Lawrence made a bright start to the 1969 campaign, winning three races in the opening weeks: Helsingor for County Durham trainer Taffy Williams, Jackbeth for Jack Calvert, and Paddy B for Dumfriesshire owner-trainer Andrew Barclay. In May he won yet another Catterick handicap on Kulumidza. By then, his apprentice allowance had been reduced from 7lb to 5lb.
On May 24, Lawrence came within a short-head of winning the prestigious Cecil Frail Handicap at Haydock, dead-heating for second place on 20-1 outsider Half Hooked, beaten a nostril by the Bill Elsey-trained Tatjana.
On May 24, Lawrence came within a short-head of winning the prestigious Cecil Frail Handicap at Haydock, dead-heating for second place on 20-1 outsider Half Hooked, beaten a nostril by the Bill Elsey-trained Tatjana.
How big a difference that narrow defeat might have made to Lawrence’s career is a matter for conjecture. However, what is indisputable is that following that Haydock race he rode just one more winner. That came on Jumbo Wilkinson’s Persian Picture in the seven-furlong Wideopen Handicap at Newcastle on Northumberland Plate day.
How big a difference that narrow defeat might have made to Lawrence’s career is a matter for conjecture. However, what is indisputable is that following that Haydock race he rode just one more winner. That came on Jumbo Wilkinson’s Persian Picture in the seven-furlong Wideopen Handicap at Newcastle on Northumberland Plate day.
After his apprenticeship was over, Lawrence held a professional jockey’s licence for one season in 1972 but rode no winners.
After his apprenticeship was over, Lawrence held a professional jockey’s licence for one season in 1972 but rode no winners.
Lawrence Love’s winners were, in chronological order:
Lawrence Love’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Kulumidza, Catterick Bridge, September 30, 1967
1. Kulumidza, Catterick Bridge, September 30, 1967
2. Kulumidza, Catterick Bridge, March 30, 1968
2. Kulumidza, Catterick Bridge, March 30, 1968
3. Felixkirk, Hamilton Park, June 14, 1968
3. Felixkirk, Hamilton Park, June 14, 1968
4. Polar Sun, Hamilton Park, June 14, 1968
4. Polar Sun, Hamilton Park, June 14, 1968
5. Felixkirk, Newcastle, July 13, 1968
5. Felixkirk, Newcastle, July 13, 1968
6. Persian Picture, Thirsk, August 2, 1968
6. Persian Picture, Thirsk, August 2, 1968
7. Kulumidza, Ripon, September 14, 1968
7. Kulumidza, Ripon, September 14, 1968
8. Low Flying, Haydock Park, September 26, 1968
8. Low Flying, Haydock Park, September 26, 1968
9. Helsingor, Catterick Bridge, March 29, 1969
9. Helsingor, Catterick Bridge, March 29, 1969
10. Jackbeth, Ripon, April 23, 1969
10. Jackbeth, Ripon, April 23, 1969
11. Paddy B, Hamilton Park, April 26, 1969
11. Paddy B, Hamilton Park, April 26, 1969
12. Kulumidza, Catterick Bridge, May 21, 1969
12. Kulumidza, Catterick Bridge, May 21, 1969
13. Persian Picture, Newcastle, June 28, 1969
13. Persian Picture, Newcastle, June 28, 1969