Colin Moore
National Hunt jockey Colin Moore held a licence for three seasons in the early 1960s and rode one winner, a 50-1 outsider named Son Of Tam.
National Hunt jockey Colin Moore held a licence for three seasons in the early 1960s and rode one winner, a 50-1 outsider named Son Of Tam.
Colin Frank Moore was born on June 12, 1942 in the parish of Upton-by-Chester, which, as its name suggests, is near Chester. There was no family involvement in racing but Colin began helping out at a local riding school when aged ten and learned to ride there. He was soon hooked on riding horses and wanted to be a jockey.
Colin Frank Moore was born on June 12, 1942 in the parish of Upton-by-Chester, which, as its name suggests, is near Chester. There was no family involvement in racing but Colin began helping out at a local riding school when aged ten and learned to ride there. He was soon hooked on riding horses and wanted to be a jockey.
He left school at 15 in 1957, standing 5ft 2ins and weighing 7 stone, and joined trainer Bill Brookes, whose stables were at Eaton Constantine, near Shrewsbury. Peter Major was the stable jockey at the time.
He left school at 15 in 1957, standing 5ft 2ins and weighing 7 stone, and joined trainer Bill Brookes, whose stables were at Eaton Constantine, near Shrewsbury. Peter Major was the stable jockey at the time.
Colin first rode in public at Hereford on Easter Monday, April 18, 1960. He had two mounts that day, Ocean Express, who finished sixth in the George Britten Handicap Hurdle, and Fairando, unplaced in the Novices’ Hurdle. He’d been given the choice of going to Hereford for two rides over hurdles or one over fences at Uttoxeter on the Brookes-trained novice chaser Jamolee. Colin chose the safer option of Hereford, bearing in mind that Jamolee had run through the wing of a fence with him when schooling at home. As things turned out, Jamolee won by a distance in the hands of 7lb claimer George Welson.
Colin first rode in public at Hereford on Easter Monday, April 18, 1960. He had two mounts that day, Ocean Express, who finished sixth in the George Britten Handicap Hurdle, and Fairando, unplaced in the Novices’ Hurdle. He’d been given the choice of going to Hereford for two rides over hurdles or one over fences at Uttoxeter on the Brookes-trained novice chaser Jamolee. Colin chose the safer option of Hereford, bearing in mind that Jamolee had run through the wing of a fence with him when schooling at home. As things turned out, Jamolee won by a distance in the hands of 7lb claimer George Welson.
Wednesday, November 15, 1961 was a red-letter day for Colin. Wearing the Wedgwood blue, yellow sleeves colours of Worcestershire hop grower Mr. W. J. Cooper, Colin rode his first – and only – winner. It came on 50-1 longshot Son Of Tam, trained by Bill Brookes, in division one of the two-mile Grimley Novices’ Hurdle at Worcester. Overcoming a last flight blunder, Son Of Tam ran on strongly to repel the late challenge of odds-on favourite Curry’s Kin, the mount of Bob Curson.
Wednesday, November 15, 1961 was a red-letter day for Colin. Wearing the Wedgwood blue, yellow sleeves colours of Worcestershire hop grower Mr. W. J. Cooper, Colin rode his first – and only – winner. It came on 50-1 longshot Son Of Tam, trained by Bill Brookes, in division one of the two-mile Grimley Novices’ Hurdle at Worcester. Overcoming a last flight blunder, Son Of Tam ran on strongly to repel the late challenge of odds-on favourite Curry’s Kin, the mount of Bob Curson.
Later that same afternoon, Colin rode one of the stable stars, Reprieved, to finish fourth in the three-mile Worcester Handicap Chase, despite a troubled run in which he’d had the door firmly closed on him by Terry Biddlecombe on Holt Castle, who eventually finished second.
Later that same afternoon, Colin rode one of the stable stars, Reprieved, to finish fourth in the three-mile Worcester Handicap Chase, despite a troubled run in which he’d had the door firmly closed on him by Terry Biddlecombe on Holt Castle, who eventually finished second.
At Haydock eight days later, Son Of Tam carried Colin safely round into fifth place, but on his next outing, at Birmingham in December 11, he fell at the first flight in a 31-runner novice hurdle, giving Colin his first fall in a race.
At Haydock eight days later, Son Of Tam carried Colin safely round into fifth place, but on his next outing, at Birmingham in December 11, he fell at the first flight in a 31-runner novice hurdle, giving Colin his first fall in a race.
As a reward for his efforts in finishing fourth on Reprieved at Worcester, Colin was reunited with him in that year’s (1961) Hennessy Gold Cup. The 22-runner field included many of the best chasers around, such as Mandarin (the eventual winner), Taxidermist, Olympia and Springbok plus Grand National heroes Nicolaus Silver and Kilmore. Colin’s instructions were “if you can’t finish in the first four, don’t finish in the first ten”. Reprieved duly finished eleventh but could probably have finished around sixth had the occasion demanded.
As a reward for his efforts in finishing fourth on Reprieved at Worcester, Colin was reunited with him in that year’s (1961) Hennessy Gold Cup. The 22-runner field included many of the best chasers around, such as Mandarin (the eventual winner), Taxidermist, Olympia and Springbok plus Grand National heroes Nicolaus Silver and Kilmore. Colin’s instructions were “if you can’t finish in the first four, don’t finish in the first ten”. Reprieved duly finished eleventh but could probably have finished around sixth had the occasion demanded.
Colin’s only other televised race appearance was in the 3.00 o’clock at Worcester on Grand National day, March 30, 1963. The ITV cameras used to cover Worcester in those days, ensuring its broadcast finished in good time for viewers to turn over to the main event on BBC, won that year by 66-1 outsider Ayala. That 3.00 Worcester race was the last of four shown on ITV and it saw Colin finish second on 20-1 shot Miss Clyde, who led over the last hurdle but was caught 50 yards from the line by Port o’ Christo, the mount of Terry Redmond.
Colin’s only other televised race appearance was in the 3.00 o’clock at Worcester on Grand National day, March 30, 1963. The ITV cameras used to cover Worcester in those days, ensuring its broadcast finished in good time for viewers to turn over to the main event on BBC, won that year by 66-1 outsider Ayala. That 3.00 Worcester race was the last of four shown on ITV and it saw Colin finish second on 20-1 shot Miss Clyde, who led over the last hurdle but was caught 50 yards from the line by Port o’ Christo, the mount of Terry Redmond.
During the ‘big freeze’ winter of 1962/63, Bill Brookes’ string made the one-and-a-half mile journey past the Army rifle range to the Wrekin, where the leaf mould was 12 inches deep and the horses were able to canter seven furlongs on its makeshift all-weather gallop, which was miraculously free of frost and snow.
During the ‘big freeze’ winter of 1962/63, Bill Brookes’ string made the one-and-a-half mile journey past the Army rifle range to the Wrekin, where the leaf mould was 12 inches deep and the horses were able to canter seven furlongs on its makeshift all-weather gallop, which was miraculously free of frost and snow.
When he’d first ridden in public on that 1960 Easter Monday, Colin weighed 10st 1lb. But by the time he was 22 his weight had soared to 11st 9lb. It meant that his career in the saddle was destined to be a brief one. He had what proved to be his final ride on Wrekin in a two-mile handicap hurdle at Worcester on November 20, 1963, finishing fourth behind the Fred Winter-ridden favourite French Beam.
When he’d first ridden in public on that 1960 Easter Monday, Colin weighed 10st 1lb. But by the time he was 22 his weight had soared to 11st 9lb. It meant that his career in the saddle was destined to be a brief one. He had what proved to be his final ride on Wrekin in a two-mile handicap hurdle at Worcester on November 20, 1963, finishing fourth behind the Fred Winter-ridden favourite French Beam.
Realising that staying in racing was not a viable option, Colin took up labouring work on the construction of Ironbridge Power Station. He then became a steel worker, while continuing to ride out at weekends.
Realising that staying in racing was not a viable option, Colin took up labouring work on the construction of Ironbridge Power Station. He then became a steel worker, while continuing to ride out at weekends.
Around 2010, Colin founded a firm specialising in reinforced concrete, called ABC Reinforcing Limited, the name formed from the initials of his sons Alex and Ben plus Colin himself. Colin remains at the helm and both sons work for him.
Around 2010, Colin founded a firm specialising in reinforced concrete, called ABC Reinforcing Limited, the name formed from the initials of his sons Alex and Ben plus Colin himself. Colin remains at the helm and both sons work for him.
He continued to ride out daily for point-to-point/hunter chase trainer Heidi Brookshaw and for Gary Hanmer. In 2019, aged 77, he rode in the historic Newmarket Town Plate for the first time, finishing fourth on his own horse Ballyrath.
He continued to ride out daily for point-to-point/hunter chase trainer Heidi Brookshaw and for Gary Hanmer. In 2019, aged 77, he rode in the historic Newmarket Town Plate for the first time, finishing fourth on his own horse Ballyrath.
Ballyrath had by then four point-to-points so far including the 2019 Grimthorpe Gold Cup, a 4m 1f contest which has long been regarded as the point-to-point Grand National. He was ridden to victory in that race by Huw Edwards, grandson of former top midlands National Hunt jockey the late Roy Edwards.
Ballyrath had by then four point-to-points so far including the 2019 Grimthorpe Gold Cup, a 4m 1f contest which has long been regarded as the point-to-point Grand National. He was ridden to victory in that race by Huw Edwards, grandson of former top midlands National Hunt jockey the late Roy Edwards.
In January 2022, 12-year-old Ballyrath, making his first start under rules for 960 days, sprang a 66-1 shock when winning a three-mile handicap chase at Wetherby, ridden by Tabitha Worsley. On August 27 that year, Colin, by now aged 80, rode Ballyrath again in the Newmarket Town Plate.
In January 2022, 12-year-old Ballyrath, making his first start under rules for 960 days, sprang a 66-1 shock when winning a three-mile handicap chase at Wetherby, ridden by Tabitha Worsley. On August 27 that year, Colin, by now aged 80, rode Ballyrath again in the Newmarket Town Plate.
The race’s distance in 2022 was reduced to two miles one furlong rather than the traditional three and three-quarter miles due to watering restrictions which prevented watering the first part of the course, which is used only once a year for that particular race. It was therefore always going to be on the short side for Ballyrath, an out-and-out stayer, but he nonetheless ran a cracker to finish fifth, having still been in contention with two furlongs left to run.
The race’s distance in 2022 was reduced to two miles one furlong rather than the traditional three and three-quarter miles due to watering restrictions which prevented watering the first part of the course, which is used only once a year for that particular race. It was therefore always going to be on the short side for Ballyrath, an out-and-out stayer, but he nonetheless ran a cracker to finish fifth, having still been in contention with two furlongs left to run.
Colin rode in the race to raise funds for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in gratitude for its successful treatment of his grandson Ralph’s heart problem.
Colin rode in the race to raise funds for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in gratitude for its successful treatment of his grandson Ralph’s heart problem.
He said: “I do think I’m a bit of a freak that I can still do this but although I packed up race riding I never really stopped as I’ve always been riding out somewhere when I went into the reinforced concrete business after racing.
He said: “I do think I’m a bit of a freak that I can still do this but although I packed up race riding I never really stopped as I’ve always been riding out somewhere when I went into the reinforced concrete business after racing.
“I do sometimes think why am I doing it because of my age but I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t feel right. There will be a time and a day when I do say no but I still get a great buzz out of it.
“I do sometimes think why am I doing it because of my age but I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t feel right. There will be a time and a day when I do say no but I still get a great buzz out of it.
