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Born on August 13, 1931, Derek William Morris was the son of Ernest Edward ‘Monkey’ Morris, who had ridden his first winner when aged 14 at Gatwick in 1920.
Born on August 13, 1931, Derek William Morris was the son of Ernest Edward ‘Monkey’ Morris, who had ridden his first winner when aged 14 at Gatwick in 1920.
Derek became apprenticed in 1947 to Reg Day, who also employed his father. He rode his first winner aboard the odds-on favourite Significant, trained by Day, in the Apprentices’ Maiden Plate, at Folkestone on August 11, 1947.
Derek became apprenticed in 1947 to Reg Day, who also employed his father. He rode his first winner aboard the odds-on favourite Significant, trained by Day, in the Apprentices’ Maiden Plate, at Folkestone on August 11, 1947.
He joined fellow Newmarket trainer Bobby Jones in 1948 but that coincided with a barren spell during which he failed to ride a winner. He returned to Reg Day in 1951 and rode his second winner that year, finally completing his apprenticeship in 1953.
He joined fellow Newmarket trainer Bobby Jones in 1948 but that coincided with a barren spell during which he failed to ride a winner. He returned to Reg Day in 1951 and rode his second winner that year, finally completing his apprenticeship in 1953.
He achieved his first notable victory in the 1956 Lincolnshire Handicap on 40-1 shot Three Star, an eight-year-old who had not won for five seasons. He put up one pound overweight at 6st 13lb. Prior to that victory he spent the winter in India, riding 16 winners in Calcutta (Kolkata).
He achieved his first notable victory in the 1956 Lincolnshire Handicap on 40-1 shot Three Star, an eight-year-old who had not won for five seasons. He put up one pound overweight at 6st 13lb. Prior to that victory he spent the winter in India, riding 16 winners in Calcutta (Kolkata).
Other notable wins included Teynham (1958 Queen Anne Stakes), Sacarole (1959 Queen’s Prize), Accompanist (1960 Portland Handicap), Safe Delivery (1961 Albemarle Handicap), Entanglement (1961 Ladbroke Gold Cup), Damredub (1962 Rosebery Handicap) and Superstition (1962 Lockinge Stakes). Surprisingly, the most valuable prize (£4,038) he won was the 1962 Seaton Delaval Stakes on Dunce Cap.
Other notable wins included Teynham (1958 Queen Anne Stakes), Sacarole (1959 Queen’s Prize), Accompanist (1960 Portland Handicap), Safe Delivery (1961 Albemarle Handicap), Entanglement (1961 Ladbroke Gold Cup), Damredub (1962 Rosebery Handicap) and Superstition (1962 Lockinge Stakes). Surprisingly, the most valuable prize (£4,038) he won was the 1962 Seaton Delaval Stakes on Dunce Cap.
During the late 1950s/early ’60s he was a royal jockey in his capacity as lightweight jockey to Cecil Boyd-Rochfort. His biggest win in the royal colours was on the Queen’s Optimistic in the 1961 Newbury Autumn Cup.
During the late 1950s/early ’60s he was a royal jockey in his capacity as lightweight jockey to Cecil Boyd-Rochfort. His biggest win in the royal colours was on the Queen’s Optimistic in the 1961 Newbury Autumn Cup.
His last major victory was on Ballywith in the 1966 Old Newton Cup. He rode his 285th and last winner in Britain on 25-1 outsider Downy Bird, trained by Jack Clayton, in the Wellington Pier Three-Year-Old Maiden Stakes at Yarmouth on August 25, 1971.
His last major victory was on Ballywith in the 1966 Old Newton Cup. He rode his 285th and last winner in Britain on 25-1 outsider Downy Bird, trained by Jack Clayton, in the Wellington Pier Three-Year-Old Maiden Stakes at Yarmouth on August 25, 1971.
Derek continued to have the occasional mount over the next five years but opportunities became rarer with time. Having had few rides in 1976, he announced that he would not be renewing his licence the following year. He would, though, continue as a work rider for Ben Hanbury. He had his last race ride when unplaced on Bad Love in the Chesterton Maiden Stakes (Division 1) at Newmarket on October 14, 1976.
Derek continued to have the occasional mount over the next five years but opportunities became rarer with time. Having had few rides in 1976, he announced that he would not be renewing his licence the following year. He would, though, continue as a work rider for Ben Hanbury. He had his last race ride when unplaced on Bad Love in the Chesterton Maiden Stakes (Division 1) at Newmarket on October 14, 1976.
Based in Newmarket throughout his career, he enjoyed his best season in 1960 with 36 winners and rated Sacarole as the best he rode. In addition to his 285 wins in Britain, he also had quite a few abroad.
Based in Newmarket throughout his career, he enjoyed his best season in 1960 with 36 winners and rated Sacarole as the best he rode. In addition to his 285 wins in Britain, he also had quite a few abroad.
Derek Morris died on 3 November 2024, aged 93.
Derek Morris died on 3 November 2024, aged 93.
Big winners
Big winners
1956: Lincolnshire Handicap – Three Star II
1956: Lincolnshire Handicap – Three Star II
1958: Queen Anne Stakes – Teynham
1958: Queen Anne Stakes – Teynham
1959: Queen’s Prize – Sacarole
1959: Queen’s Prize – Sacarole
1960: Welsh Stewards Cup – Mardis
1960: Welsh Stewards Cup – Mardis
1960: Welsh Hunt Cup – Mardis
1960: Welsh Hunt Cup – Mardis
1960: Portland Handicap – Accompanist
1960: Portland Handicap – Accompanist
1961: Albemarle Handicap – Safe Delivery
1961: Albemarle Handicap – Safe Delivery
1961: Ladbroke Gold Cup – Entanglement
1961: Ladbroke Gold Cup – Entanglement
1961: Newbury Autumn Cup – Optimistic
1961: Newbury Autumn Cup – Optimistic
1962: Rosebery Handicap – Damredub
1962: Rosebery Handicap – Damredub
1962: Lockinge Stakes – Superstition
1962: Lockinge Stakes – Superstition
1962: Seaton Delaval Stakes – Dunce Cap
1962: Seaton Delaval Stakes – Dunce Cap
1963: Midland Cesarewitch – Roxburgh
1963: Midland Cesarewitch – Roxburgh
1966: Old Newton Cup – Ballywit
1966: Old Newton Cup – Ballywit
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