Don Morris
1938 - 1966
1938 - 1966
Born in Scarborough on May 14, 1938, Donald Morris was apprenticed to Captain Charles Elsey and rode his first winner, Beethoven, at Pontefract on October 29, 1955.
Born in Scarborough on May 14, 1938, Donald Morris was apprenticed to Captain Charles Elsey and rode his first winner, Beethoven, at Pontefract on October 29, 1955.
Don was still at school when he cycled the 44 miles from his Harrogate home to Elsey's stables at Malton in 1954. He was given a month's trial and joined the stable on leaving school.
Don was still at school when he cycled the 44 miles from his Harrogate home to Elsey's stables at Malton in 1954. He was given a month's trial and joined the stable on leaving school.
He won the 1962 Ebor (Sostenuto) and the 1965 Great Metropolitan (Romp Home).
He won the 1962 Ebor (Sostenuto) and the 1965 Great Metropolitan (Romp Home).
Tragically, Don was killed in a car crash, aged 28, on December 17, 1966.
Tragically, Don was killed in a car crash, aged 28, on December 17, 1966.
His son, Stuart - born on February 6, 1961, also became a jockey and was champion apprentice in Hong Kong.
His son, Stuart - born on February 6, 1961, also became a jockey and was champion apprentice in Hong Kong.
Don rode a total of 179 winners.
Don rode a total of 179 winners.
Big winners
Big winners
1958: Manchester Cup – Great Rock
1958: Manchester Cup – Great Rock
1958: Lanark Silver Bell – Cannebiere
1958: Lanark Silver Bell – Cannebiere
1959: Northumberland Plate – Cannebiere
1959: Northumberland Plate – Cannebiere
1960: City of Birmingham Cup – Silent Waters
1960: City of Birmingham Cup – Silent Waters
1962: Usher-Vaux Gold Tankard – Rosie Wings
1962: Usher-Vaux Gold Tankard – Rosie Wings
1962: Ebor Handicap – Sostenuto
1962: Ebor Handicap – Sostenuto
1963: Andy Capp Handicap – Dion
1963: Andy Capp Handicap – Dion
1964: Carlisle Bell – Karelia
1964: Carlisle Bell – Karelia
1965: Great Metropolitan Handicap – Romp Home
1965: Great Metropolitan Handicap – Romp Home
Article courtesy Chas Hammond
Article courtesy Chas Hammond