David Maitland
David Maitland was born in Newcastle on January 18, 1947 and was apprenticed to Gordon Smyth. He rode his first winner, Geordie, in the one-mile Apprentices’ Handicap at Brighton on June 9, 1965.
David Maitland was born in Newcastle on January 18, 1947 and was apprenticed to Gordon Smyth. He rode his first winner, Geordie, in the one-mile Apprentices’ Handicap at Brighton on June 9, 1965.
A year later, he had what was to prove his best season with 30 winners. They included the Newbury Summer Cup on Polymint, the Goodwood Stakes on All Found, and the Cambridgeshire on Dites.
A year later, he had what was to prove his best season with 30 winners. They included the Newbury Summer Cup on Polymint, the Goodwood Stakes on All Found, and the Cambridgeshire on Dites.
He continued to do well, riding 17 winners in 1967 and 19 in 1968.
He continued to do well, riding 17 winners in 1967 and 19 in 1968.
On March 7, 1970, he married Elizabeth Joan Watts. They had a son, Christopher David.
On March 7, 1970, he married Elizabeth Joan Watts. They had a son, Christopher David.
He rode 100-1 no-hoper Coffee Royal in the 1971 Derby, finishing 18th of the 21 runners.
He rode 100-1 no-hoper Coffee Royal in the 1971 Derby, finishing 18th of the 21 runners.
Like many a jockey before and since, David’s winning tallies dropped when his apprenticeship ended. He rode just four winners in 1971, eight in 1972 and seven in 1973.
Like many a jockey before and since, David’s winning tallies dropped when his apprenticeship ended. He rode just four winners in 1971, eight in 1972 and seven in 1973.
However, he bounced back with 17 wins in 1974 including the Cambridgeshire for a second time on Flying Nelly.
However, he bounced back with 17 wins in 1974 including the Cambridgeshire for a second time on Flying Nelly.
He said at the time: “Two years ago I was so fed up with not getting rides that I decided to pack up racing. Then I rode Corraggio to win twice for Gavin Pritchard-Gordon and I asked if I could ride work for him. I joined him this year. That was my lucky break.”
He said at the time: “Two years ago I was so fed up with not getting rides that I decided to pack up racing. Then I rode Corraggio to win twice for Gavin Pritchard-Gordon and I asked if I could ride work for him. I joined him this year. That was my lucky break.”
His luck continued when he rode the next year’s Royal Hunt Cup winner, Ardoon. He was back in the Royal Ascot winner’s enclosure again in 1976 when winning the King George V Handicap on Shangamuzzo, who he rated the best horse he rode during his career.
His luck continued when he rode the next year’s Royal Hunt Cup winner, Ardoon. He was back in the Royal Ascot winner’s enclosure again in 1976 when winning the King George V Handicap on Shangamuzzo, who he rated the best horse he rode during his career.
Sadly, David’s annual total of winning rides soon fell back to single figures, dwindling progressively year. Seven winners in 1976, six in 1977, four in 1978, three in 1979. It reached a nadir in 1981 with one win from just 16 mounts. He continued for three more seasons but did not renew his licence in 1985.
Sadly, David’s annual total of winning rides soon fell back to single figures, dwindling progressively year. Seven winners in 1976, six in 1977, four in 1978, three in 1979. It reached a nadir in 1981 with one win from just 16 mounts. He continued for three more seasons but did not renew his licence in 1985.
Although he never rode a Pattern race winner, he did win the Dutch Derby on Boxberger Cook in 1978.
Although he never rode a Pattern race winner, he did win the Dutch Derby on Boxberger Cook in 1978.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1966: Newbury Summer Cup – Polymint
1966: Newbury Summer Cup – Polymint
1966: Goodwood Stakes – All Found
1966: Goodwood Stakes – All Found
1966: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Dites
1966: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Dites
1967: Rose of York Stakes – Giddaby
1967: Rose of York Stakes – Giddaby
1974: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Flying Nelly
1974: Cambridgeshire Handicap – Flying Nelly
1975: Royal Hunt Cup – Ardoon
1975: Royal Hunt Cup – Ardoon
1976: King George V Handicap – Shangamuzo
1976: King George V Handicap – Shangamuzo
1978: Nederlands Derby – Boxberger Cook
1978: Nederlands Derby – Boxberger Cook