Richard Linley
Richard John Linley was born on September 11, 1954, and lived at Culberry Farm, East Pennard, Shepton Mallet, Somerset.
Richard John Linley was born on September 11, 1954, and lived at Culberry Farm, East Pennard, Shepton Mallet, Somerset.
He was retained by Sheik Ali Abu Khamsin.
He was retained by Sheik Ali Abu Khamsin.
Richard's greatest number of winners in a season was 51 in 1982-83.
Richard's greatest number of winners in a season was 51 in 1982-83.
He first rode a winner when scoring on Less Curious at Wye on May 6, 1972.
He first rode a winner when scoring on Less Curious at Wye on May 6, 1972.
He became the champion amateur flat rider in 1975. After four years riding as an amateur, he turned professional at the start of the 1975-76 NH season.
He became the champion amateur flat rider in 1975. After four years riding as an amateur, he turned professional at the start of the 1975-76 NH season.
Richard rode Sunny Climes at Devon & Exeter in May 1978, the first horse sent out by rookie trainer Peter Duggins.
Richard rode Sunny Climes at Devon & Exeter in May 1978, the first horse sent out by rookie trainer Peter Duggins.
Richard has a string of big race wins to his credit including Sweeps Hurdle, Embassy Hurdle, Philip Cornes Saddle of Gold, Newbury Weetabix Hurdle, Worcester Royal Porcelain Chase, three Mackeson Gold Cups, Hennessy Gold Cup, Kennedy Construction Gold Cup, Mandarin Handicap Chase, Timeform Chase, Aurelius Hurdle (twice), Free Handicap Hurdle, Finale Juvenile Hurdle, Golden Miller Chase, Sun Templegate Hurdle, Champion Hurdle, Anthony Mildmay, Peter Cazalet Memorial Trophy, Mildmay of Fleet Challenge Cup & the Kingswell Pattern Hurdle.
Richard has a string of big race wins to his credit including Sweeps Hurdle, Embassy Hurdle, Philip Cornes Saddle of Gold, Newbury Weetabix Hurdle, Worcester Royal Porcelain Chase, three Mackeson Gold Cups, Hennessy Gold Cup, Kennedy Construction Gold Cup, Mandarin Handicap Chase, Timeform Chase, Aurelius Hurdle (twice), Free Handicap Hurdle, Finale Juvenile Hurdle, Golden Miller Chase, Sun Templegate Hurdle, Champion Hurdle, Anthony Mildmay, Peter Cazalet Memorial Trophy, Mildmay of Fleet Challenge Cup & the Kingswell Pattern Hurdle.
On Thursday October 16, 1975 - just two months after turning professional - he equalled the whole of his previous season's score when Beaming Lee gave him his twelfth victory of the season at Taunton.
On Thursday October 16, 1975 - just two months after turning professional - he equalled the whole of his previous season's score when Beaming Lee gave him his twelfth victory of the season at Taunton.
Richard, who, together with jockeys Clive Bailey and Jimmy Fox, worked for Weyhill trainer Toby Balding, suffered much hardship in the icy winter of 1976-77. One highlight of that period, though, was when Richard took his first ever ride in Ireland - on Decent Fellow in the Sweeps Hurdle for Toby Balding. Richard won by a length and a half from Chinrullah. The stewards held an inquiry into the horse's running given his recent defeat at Ascot. Toby explained that the horse couldn't act on a right-hand course.
Richard, who, together with jockeys Clive Bailey and Jimmy Fox, worked for Weyhill trainer Toby Balding, suffered much hardship in the icy winter of 1976-77. One highlight of that period, though, was when Richard took his first ever ride in Ireland - on Decent Fellow in the Sweeps Hurdle for Toby Balding. Richard won by a length and a half from Chinrullah. The stewards held an inquiry into the horse's running given his recent defeat at Ascot. Toby explained that the horse couldn't act on a right-hand course.
On Thursday, March 9, 1978, Richard rode his 100th winner: Atlantic Bridge at Wincanton.
On Thursday, March 9, 1978, Richard rode his 100th winner: Atlantic Bridge at Wincanton.
Friday, January 4, 1980, saw Richard win his first race for Fred Winter: Nimrody at Sandown.
Friday, January 4, 1980, saw Richard win his first race for Fred Winter: Nimrody at Sandown.
On Wednesday, January 30, 1980, amid rumours that all was not well, Richard announced that he had relinquished his retainer with Toby Balding's stable by mutual agreement and that he had decided to ride as a freelance in the future.
On Wednesday, January 30, 1980, amid rumours that all was not well, Richard announced that he had relinquished his retainer with Toby Balding's stable by mutual agreement and that he had decided to ride as a freelance in the future.
At Windsor, on Wednesday February 4, 1981, Richard won on More Pleasure. This was Richard's 34th winner of the season, equally his previous best total.
At Windsor, on Wednesday February 4, 1981, Richard won on More Pleasure. This was Richard's 34th winner of the season, equally his previous best total.
Richard fractured four vertebrae in a fall in October 1982, but was back a month later on November 11 to ride Master Smudge.
Richard fractured four vertebrae in a fall in October 1982, but was back a month later on November 11 to ride Master Smudge.
On Thursday 28 November, 1985, Richard, on the way home from Wincanton - his local course - was involved in a fatal car crash. He had two operations following the crash and the Jockey Club's medical Officer, Dr Michael Allen, said: 'We are hoping that no further surgical intervention will be necessary.'
On Thursday 28 November, 1985, Richard, on the way home from Wincanton - his local course - was involved in a fatal car crash. He had two operations following the crash and the Jockey Club's medical Officer, Dr Michael Allen, said: 'We are hoping that no further surgical intervention will be necessary.'
In fact, a third operation, carried out in the Monday, was necessary. He was treated for abdominal injuries and a broken right leg.
In fact, a third operation, carried out in the Monday, was necessary. He was treated for abdominal injuries and a broken right leg.
Richard's wife, Beverley, died in the crash: he was informed of her death by her parents.
Richard's wife, Beverley, died in the crash: he was informed of her death by her parents.
Richard, on crutches, returned to an empty home just before Christmas. However, complications set in and he was re-admitted to hospital the following April.
Richard, on crutches, returned to an empty home just before Christmas. However, complications set in and he was re-admitted to hospital the following April.
That September, on his 32nd birthday, he said: 'My leg, which was broken, has given me a lot of trouble. I had to go back into hospital because it became infected. But it's all right now, and I have got a walking plaster which enables me to get around.'
That September, on his 32nd birthday, he said: 'My leg, which was broken, has given me a lot of trouble. I had to go back into hospital because it became infected. But it's all right now, and I have got a walking plaster which enables me to get around.'
At the beginning of January, 1987, he started riding exercise for Toby Balding, Fred Winter & Ron Hodges.
At the beginning of January, 1987, he started riding exercise for Toby Balding, Fred Winter & Ron Hodges.
He said at the time: 'I feel very well and have been looking forwards to the day when I could race again. At the moment I an very relaxed about it but I'm sure when I get into the paddock the old adrenalin will get going.'
He said at the time: 'I feel very well and have been looking forwards to the day when I could race again. At the moment I an very relaxed about it but I'm sure when I get into the paddock the old adrenalin will get going.'
On Saturday January 24, 1987, at Kempton, he had his comeback ride: Neblin, for Toby Balding. Neblin failed to give Richard a fairytale return, but the jockey didn't have to wait long to return to the winner's enclosure.
On Saturday January 24, 1987, at Kempton, he had his comeback ride: Neblin, for Toby Balding. Neblin failed to give Richard a fairytale return, but the jockey didn't have to wait long to return to the winner's enclosure.
Riding Robin Goodfellow in the last, Richard took the lead at the final obstacle to win going away. He was accorded the sort of reception usually reserved for a Grand National winner.
Riding Robin Goodfellow in the last, Richard took the lead at the final obstacle to win going away. He was accorded the sort of reception usually reserved for a Grand National winner.
Toby Balding, whom Richard had first worked for in his school holidays, just said: 'It's brilliant! Just brilliant!'
Toby Balding, whom Richard had first worked for in his school holidays, just said: 'It's brilliant! Just brilliant!'
But it was, in fact, the beginning of the end. Weeks passed and frustration set in as the winners refused to flow.
But it was, in fact, the beginning of the end. Weeks passed and frustration set in as the winners refused to flow.
Richard said: 'It's been pretty quiet. I've had two winners in seven weeks and, in general, the ammunition has not been there. I simply haven't been offered many rides.'
Richard said: 'It's been pretty quiet. I've had two winners in seven weeks and, in general, the ammunition has not been there. I simply haven't been offered many rides.'
Before the season ended, he moved into a new home, complete with 80 acres of land in Somerset.
Before the season ended, he moved into a new home, complete with 80 acres of land in Somerset.
'Getting that lot in order will at least keep me fit for next season.' he said.
'Getting that lot in order will at least keep me fit for next season.' he said.
On March 18, 1987, he rode Gala's Image to a stunning victory in the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham, but dislocated his right shoulder in a desperate finish. It was his first winner over fences since his car accident. He was helped off the 25/1 winner and, as he manoeuvered his way through the crowd he screamed 'Don't touch my arm!'
On March 18, 1987, he rode Gala's Image to a stunning victory in the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham, but dislocated his right shoulder in a desperate finish. It was his first winner over fences since his car accident. He was helped off the 25/1 winner and, as he manoeuvered his way through the crowd he screamed 'Don't touch my arm!'
He wasn't seen on the racecourse again until August 1 that year (Kamag, Newton Abbot).
He wasn't seen on the racecourse again until August 1 that year (Kamag, Newton Abbot).
He quit the saddle the next month and was appointed Inspector of Courses for the south.
He quit the saddle the next month and was appointed Inspector of Courses for the south.
Racing aside, Richard is interested in photography and music.
Racing aside, Richard is interested in photography and music.
Champion Hurdle winner: Gaye Brief (1983)
Champion Hurdle winner: Gaye Brief (1983)
Other big winners:
Other big winners:
1975: Worcester Royal Porcelain Chase – Carroll Street
1975: Worcester Royal Porcelain Chase – Carroll Street
1977: Irish Sweeps Handicap Hurdle – Decent Fellow
1977: Irish Sweeps Handicap Hurdle – Decent Fellow
1979: Hennessy Gold Cup – Fighting Fit
1979: Hennessy Gold Cup – Fighting Fit
1981: Mandarin Handicap Chase – Master Smudge
1981: Mandarin Handicap Chase – Master Smudge
1982: Mackeson Gold Cup – Fifty Dollars More
1982: Mackeson Gold Cup – Fifty Dollars More
1983: Mildmay-Cazalet Memorial Chase – Fifty Dollars More
1983: Mildmay-Cazalet Memorial Chase – Fifty Dollars More
1983: Tripleprint Gold Cup – Fifty Dollars More
1983: Tripleprint Gold Cup – Fifty Dollars More
1984: Mildmay of Flete Chase – Half Free
1984: Mildmay of Flete Chase – Half Free
1984: Mackeson Gold Cup – Half Free
1984: Mackeson Gold Cup – Half Free
1985: Mackeson Gold Cup – Half Free
1985: Mackeson Gold Cup – Half Free
1987: Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase – Gala’s Image
1987: Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase – Gala’s Image