Roddy Lappin
Rodney Thomas Lappin was born on October 21, 1966, the son of jockey Tommy Lappin. He had a 20-year riding career, from 1984 to 2004.
Rodney Thomas Lappin was born on October 21, 1966, the son of jockey Tommy Lappin. He had a 20-year riding career, from 1984 to 2004.
He came closest to landing a big race success when second on Francis Lee’s Aahsaylad in the 1991 Northumberland Plate, June 29, beaten a length and a half by the Martin Pipe-trained Tamarpour. He did manage to win two races on Aahsaylad that year, as well as finishing second on two other occasions.
He came closest to landing a big race success when second on Francis Lee’s Aahsaylad in the 1991 Northumberland Plate, June 29, beaten a length and a half by the Martin Pipe-trained Tamarpour. He did manage to win two races on Aahsaylad that year, as well as finishing second on two other occasions.
One of the best horses he rode was Quiet Venture, on whom he won four times including when breaking the course record for 7f at Newcastle. Another was Les Eyre’s Far Ahead, on which he also won four times including the 1996 Hambleton Cup at Thirsk. However, he lost the winning ride on Far Ahead in the 1997 Ebor Handicap to Tyrone Williams as he couldn’t do the weight of 8st.
One of the best horses he rode was Quiet Venture, on whom he won four times including when breaking the course record for 7f at Newcastle. Another was Les Eyre’s Far Ahead, on which he also won four times including the 1996 Hambleton Cup at Thirsk. However, he lost the winning ride on Far Ahead in the 1997 Ebor Handicap to Tyrone Williams as he couldn’t do the weight of 8st.
Roddy’s best season in the saddle was 1996, which yielded 29 winners. One of his biggest wins came on Green Bopper in the 2001 Edinburgh Gold Cup.
Roddy’s best season in the saddle was 1996, which yielded 29 winners. One of his biggest wins came on Green Bopper in the 2001 Edinburgh Gold Cup.
He had his final ride on August 21, 2004, finishing third on 33/1 outsider Sixtilsix in an all-weather race at Lingfield. Afterwards he had a five-year spell as assistant to Alan Swinbank, followed by several months at Mark Johnston’s stable. He then left for Dubai, where he looked after some of Hamdan Al Maktoum’s two-year-olds. He was part of a team who rode out about a hundred of the Sheikh’s horses in pre-training.
He had his final ride on August 21, 2004, finishing third on 33/1 outsider Sixtilsix in an all-weather race at Lingfield. Afterwards he had a five-year spell as assistant to Alan Swinbank, followed by several months at Mark Johnston’s stable. He then left for Dubai, where he looked after some of Hamdan Al Maktoum’s two-year-olds. He was part of a team who rode out about a hundred of the Sheikh’s horses in pre-training.
He eventually returned to Britain and went back to working with Alan Swinbank, where his duties included riding work in the mornings, going racing to saddle up, organising lots, breaking in two-year-olds and a spot of veterinary work.
He eventually returned to Britain and went back to working with Alan Swinbank, where his duties included riding work in the mornings, going racing to saddle up, organising lots, breaking in two-year-olds and a spot of veterinary work.