Brod Munro-Wilson
Born in Sussex on June 18, 1945, Broderick Giles Edward Munro-Wilson followed the traditional route to the racecourse: a member of the Pony Club, he graduated to hunting with the Southdown and the Crawley & Horsham, before tackling point-to-points.
Born in Sussex on June 18, 1945, Broderick Giles Edward Munro-Wilson followed the traditional route to the racecourse: a member of the Pony Club, he graduated to hunting with the Southdown and the Crawley & Horsham, before tackling point-to-points.
He debuted as an amateur at Newbury on Schweppes Gold Trophy day, February, 1975. Riding Laroon in the Soapey Sponge Hunters' Chase, he pulled up.
He debuted as an amateur at Newbury on Schweppes Gold Trophy day, February, 1975. Riding Laroon in the Soapey Sponge Hunters' Chase, he pulled up.
A fortnight later, he was at Kempton for the Corinthian Hunters' Chase. Riding Champers Galore, he finished a gallant second.
A fortnight later, he was at Kempton for the Corinthian Hunters' Chase. Riding Champers Galore, he finished a gallant second.
It was a question of third time lucky for his first winner. Again aboard Champers Galore, the pair made no mistake this time when taking the Clapper Hunters' Chase at Plumpton on March 4.
It was a question of third time lucky for his first winner. Again aboard Champers Galore, the pair made no mistake this time when taking the Clapper Hunters' Chase at Plumpton on March 4.
In this race, he'd ridden with his left hand in a plaster cast, something unthinkable now. He'd broken his wrist just two days earlier in a point-to-point yet insisted upon riding.
In this race, he'd ridden with his left hand in a plaster cast, something unthinkable now. He'd broken his wrist just two days earlier in a point-to-point yet insisted upon riding.
On Friday, March 7, 1980, Brod won on the first leg of a spectacular double. Riding Beeny in the Horse & Hound Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown, Brod kept his cool as two loose horses, weaving around and seemingly intent on bringing him down, created havoc with the field. The favourite, Collars & Cuffs, came down at the fourth, throwing Major Cramsie.
On Friday, March 7, 1980, Brod won on the first leg of a spectacular double. Riding Beeny in the Horse & Hound Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown, Brod kept his cool as two loose horses, weaving around and seemingly intent on bringing him down, created havoc with the field. The favourite, Collars & Cuffs, came down at the fourth, throwing Major Cramsie.
Three weeks later, Coolishall was aimed at the Grand National.
Three weeks later, Coolishall was aimed at the Grand National.
Set to carry 10st 6lb, Brod - who stood over six feet - knew that he would have to put up overweight. This he did, riding at 10st 10lb. To prevent the horse from carrying further overweight, Brad chose to use a featherweight Flat race saddle.
Set to carry 10st 6lb, Brod - who stood over six feet - knew that he would have to put up overweight. This he did, riding at 10st 10lb. To prevent the horse from carrying further overweight, Brad chose to use a featherweight Flat race saddle.
Big mistake - jumping the third fence in atrocious conditions (the going was heavy) - the aluminium Flat race stirrups snapped, pitching Brod over Coolishall's head.
Big mistake - jumping the third fence in atrocious conditions (the going was heavy) - the aluminium Flat race stirrups snapped, pitching Brod over Coolishall's head.
Brod always blamed himself after for not using a heavier, more sturdy, saddle even if it had meant putting up another pound overweight.
Brod always blamed himself after for not using a heavier, more sturdy, saddle even if it had meant putting up another pound overweight.
After the race, Brod and his disappointed mother returned to the fence and collected up all the bits of the broken stirrup. Brod found them a place over the mantelpiece of his London home in Little Venice.
After the race, Brod and his disappointed mother returned to the fence and collected up all the bits of the broken stirrup. Brod found them a place over the mantelpiece of his London home in Little Venice.
Brod's biggest success on the track was undoubtedly his head win on The Drunken Duck over Honourable Man in the 1982 Foxhunters' at Cheltenham. The following year, riding the same horse, he won the Duke of Gloucester Trophy.
Brod's biggest success on the track was undoubtedly his head win on The Drunken Duck over Honourable Man in the 1982 Foxhunters' at Cheltenham. The following year, riding the same horse, he won the Duke of Gloucester Trophy.
Brod was undoubtedly well-connected, counting Prince Charles and Camilla among his closest friends, and it was fitting that Brod's last ever ride should be in the Prince of Wales Cup at Fakenham on 28 May 1990.
Brod was undoubtedly well-connected, counting Prince Charles and Camilla among his closest friends, and it was fitting that Brod's last ever ride should be in the Prince of Wales Cup at Fakenham on 28 May 1990.
Aged 43 and with polo now taking precedence (he went on to win the European Championships) Brod decided to call it a day.
Aged 43 and with polo now taking precedence (he went on to win the European Championships) Brod decided to call it a day.
He hadn't quite finished with racing though; his Brunton Park won the Grand Military Gold Cup in 1991, giving him his biggest success as an owner.
He hadn't quite finished with racing though; his Brunton Park won the Grand Military Gold Cup in 1991, giving him his biggest success as an owner.
Brod went on to become chairman of one of Europe's top remote control digital display companies.
Brod went on to become chairman of one of Europe's top remote control digital display companies.
Brod Munro-Wilson died in July 2021, aged 76.
Brod Munro-Wilson died in July 2021, aged 76.