Haydn Lewis
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Welsh-born Haydn David Lewis was a National Hunt jockey of the 1950s who came within a head of winning the Welsh Grand National for Welsh trainer ‘Posy’ Lewis (no relation).
Welsh-born Haydn David Lewis was a National Hunt jockey of the 1950s who came within a head of winning the Welsh Grand National for Welsh trainer ‘Posy’ Lewis (no relation).
Haydn started out with former jump jockey John Goodgame, who trained near Potters Bar, Middlesex. He first took out a licence in the 1951/52 season and didn’t take long to register his first success, on Goodgame’s handicap hurdler Raree at Fontwell Park on October 2, 1951. His second winner, also for Goodgame, on novice chaser Eole II, followed just six days later, but he then had to wait until Towcester’s 1952 Easter fixture before riding his next.
Haydn started out with former jump jockey John Goodgame, who trained near Potters Bar, Middlesex. He first took out a licence in the 1951/52 season and didn’t take long to register his first success, on Goodgame’s handicap hurdler Raree at Fontwell Park on October 2, 1951. His second winner, also for Goodgame, on novice chaser Eole II, followed just six days later, but he then had to wait until Towcester’s 1952 Easter fixture before riding his next.
The following season he joined Ralph Morel’s yard at Dinas Powis, Glamorgan. Morel was essentially the licence holder as the horses were trained by his daughter, Mrs ‘Posy’ Lewis, but women were not allowed to be registered as trainers in those less enlightened times. Haydn rode two winners for them that season, a pair of two-mile handicap chasers named Gaiety Star and Bachelor’s Tonic.
The following season he joined Ralph Morel’s yard at Dinas Powis, Glamorgan. Morel was essentially the licence holder as the horses were trained by his daughter, Mrs ‘Posy’ Lewis, but women were not allowed to be registered as trainers in those less enlightened times. Haydn rode two winners for them that season, a pair of two-mile handicap chasers named Gaiety Star and Bachelor’s Tonic.
He won again on both those horses the following season, Gaiety Star forming the second leg of a double at Taunton on April 1, 1954, while Bachelor’s Tonic won at the annual Beaufort Hunt fixture nine days later. Handicap hurdler Canon Star won three races during the season, helping Haydn to achieve a score of seven for 1953/54.
He won again on both those horses the following season, Gaiety Star forming the second leg of a double at Taunton on April 1, 1954, while Bachelor’s Tonic won at the annual Beaufort Hunt fixture nine days later. Handicap hurdler Canon Star won three races during the season, helping Haydn to achieve a score of seven for 1953/54.
Gaiety Star scored twice within four days for him at Hereford and Cheltenham in November 1954, while Bachelor’s Tonic won back-to-back races at Hereford and Chepstow in the spring of 1955.
Gaiety Star scored twice within four days for him at Hereford and Cheltenham in November 1954, while Bachelor’s Tonic won back-to-back races at Hereford and Chepstow in the spring of 1955.
A hurdler named Mr X was Haydn’ sole success of the 1955/56 campaign but he came agonisingly close to a major victory on 33-1 outsider Billy Budd in the 1956 Welsh Grand National at Chepstow. Haydn and Billy Budd led the field to the tenth fence, regained the lead on the second circuit, was headed by Dick Francis on Crudwell three out, but battled on determinedly to get within a head at the line. It was a brave attempt and finishing second to Crudwell was no disgrace. Although ‘Posy’ Lewis, who was also a director of Chepstow racecourse, was denied a Welsh success in the Welsh Grand National, she was to win it three years later with Limonali, ridden by David Nicholson.
A hurdler named Mr X was Haydn’ sole success of the 1955/56 campaign but he came agonisingly close to a major victory on 33-1 outsider Billy Budd in the 1956 Welsh Grand National at Chepstow. Haydn and Billy Budd led the field to the tenth fence, regained the lead on the second circuit, was headed by Dick Francis on Crudwell three out, but battled on determinedly to get within a head at the line. It was a brave attempt and finishing second to Crudwell was no disgrace. Although ‘Posy’ Lewis, who was also a director of Chepstow racecourse, was denied a Welsh success in the Welsh Grand National, she was to win it three years later with Limonali, ridden by David Nicholson.
Haydn and Billy Budd were unable to get their heads in front during the whole of the 1956/57 campaign, finishing seventh in that season’s Welsh Grand National. The following season Billy Budd was sent hunter chasing and Haydn found himself replaced by 7lb claiming fellow Welshman Ron Boss as the stable jockey for ‘Posy’ Lewis.
Haydn and Billy Budd were unable to get their heads in front during the whole of the 1956/57 campaign, finishing seventh in that season’s Welsh Grand National. The following season Billy Budd was sent hunter chasing and Haydn found himself replaced by 7lb claiming fellow Welshman Ron Boss as the stable jockey for ‘Posy’ Lewis.
Haydn rode two winners during the 1957/58 season, selling chaser Uncle Bones at Birmingham and handicap chaser New Vale at Wolverhampton, both for Upper Longdon trainer Reg Hollinshead. Those were to be the last of his career, although he continued riding for three more seasons before handing in his licence.
Haydn rode two winners during the 1957/58 season, selling chaser Uncle Bones at Birmingham and handicap chaser New Vale at Wolverhampton, both for Upper Longdon trainer Reg Hollinshead. Those were to be the last of his career, although he continued riding for three more seasons before handing in his licence.
Haydn Lewis’s winners were, in chronological order:
Haydn Lewis’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Raree, Fontwell Park, October 2, 1951
1. Raree, Fontwell Park, October 2, 1951
2. Eole II, Plumpton, October 8, 1951
2. Eole II, Plumpton, October 8, 1951
3. Phit Eesi, Towcester, April 12, 1952
3. Phit Eesi, Towcester, April 12, 1952
4. Gaiety Star, Stratford-on-Avon, November 20, 1952
4. Gaiety Star, Stratford-on-Avon, November 20, 1952
5. Bachelor’s Tonic, Hereford, May 2, 1953
5. Bachelor’s Tonic, Hereford, May 2, 1953
6. Canon Star, Stratford-on-Avon, October 8, 1953
6. Canon Star, Stratford-on-Avon, October 8, 1953
7. Gaiety Star, Chepstow, March 20, 1954
7. Gaiety Star, Chepstow, March 20, 1954
8. Lothair, Taunton, April 1, 1954
8. Lothair, Taunton, April 1, 1954
9. Gaiety Star, Taunton, April 1, 1954
9. Gaiety Star, Taunton, April 1, 1954
10. Bachelor’s Tonic, Beaufort Hunt, April 10, 1954
10. Bachelor’s Tonic, Beaufort Hunt, April 10, 1954
11. Canon Star, Chepstow, April 20, 1954
11. Canon Star, Chepstow, April 20, 1954
12. Canon Star, Stratford-on-Avon, May 8, 1954
12. Canon Star, Stratford-on-Avon, May 8, 1954
13. Gaiety Star, Hereford, November 6, 1954
13. Gaiety Star, Hereford, November 6, 1954
14. Gaiety Star, Cheltenham, November 10, 1954
14. Gaiety Star, Cheltenham, November 10, 1954
15. Bachelor’s Tonic, Hereford, March 19, 1955
15. Bachelor’s Tonic, Hereford, March 19, 1955
16. Bachelor’s Tonic, Chepstow, April 12, 1955
16. Bachelor’s Tonic, Chepstow, April 12, 1955
17. Mr X, Cheltenham, April 11, 1956
17. Mr X, Cheltenham, April 11, 1956
18. Uncle Bones, Birmingham, February 24, 1958
18. Uncle Bones, Birmingham, February 24, 1958
19. New Vale, Wolverhampton, March 3, 1958
19. New Vale, Wolverhampton, March 3, 1958