Conway Marks
Conway Marks
Conway Marks
1924-2018
1924-2018
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
The younger brother of classic-winning jockey tuned trainer Doug Marks, Conway Marks managed just one win in the only season he rode under National Hunt rules.
The younger brother of classic-winning jockey tuned trainer Doug Marks, Conway Marks managed just one win in the only season he rode under National Hunt rules.
He had his first outing on Owen’s Bridge in the Portsmouth Handicap Hurdle (Division II) at Fontwell Park on October 10, 1950. They were unplaced that day but the same horse went on to provide Conway with the sole success of his brief race-riding career in the Langley Handicap Hurdle at Windsor on March 1, 1951.
He had his first outing on Owen’s Bridge in the Portsmouth Handicap Hurdle (Division II) at Fontwell Park on October 10, 1950. They were unplaced that day but the same horse went on to provide Conway with the sole success of his brief race-riding career in the Langley Handicap Hurdle at Windsor on March 1, 1951.
Taking the lead three hurdles from home, Owen’s Bridge ran on well to beat leading amateur rider Bob McCreery on Top Corn by half a length. Doug Marks, the six-year-old’s trainer, who was then combining training with riding, had been unplaced on him at Wye just three days earlier.
Taking the lead three hurdles from home, Owen’s Bridge ran on well to beat leading amateur rider Bob McCreery on Top Corn by half a length. Doug Marks, the six-year-old’s trainer, who was then combining training with riding, had been unplaced on him at Wye just three days earlier.
Apart from his initial Fontwell effort, Conway had managed two places on the gelding in January prior to their Windsor victory, so they were not winning out of turn.
Apart from his initial Fontwell effort, Conway had managed two places on the gelding in January prior to their Windsor victory, so they were not winning out of turn.
Although he had four more rides on Owen’s Bridge before the season ended, two third places was the best they could achieve. The second of those was Conway’s final ride, at Southwell on May 21, 1951 in the Crown Handicap Hurdle.
Although he had four more rides on Owen’s Bridge before the season ended, two third places was the best they could achieve. The second of those was Conway’s final ride, at Southwell on May 21, 1951 in the Crown Handicap Hurdle.
Conway Marks' solitary win, Owens Bridge, Windsor, March 1, 1951
Conway Marks' solitary win, Owens Bridge, Windsor, March 1, 1951