Dudley Moffatt
Dudley Moffatt
Dudley Moffatt
Dudley Moffatt served his apprenticeship with Horace Cousins at Scotforth, Lancashire, and rode what proved to be his only winner on Greystown in the Stand Plate at Ayr on July 20, 1954, drawing clear inside the last furlong to beat Edward Hide’s mount, the 6-4 favourite Brora, by five lengths, with Joe Sime a further eight lengths back in third on Pearl Pirate.
Dudley Moffatt served his apprenticeship with Horace Cousins at Scotforth, Lancashire, and rode what proved to be his only winner on Greystown in the Stand Plate at Ayr on July 20, 1954, drawing clear inside the last furlong to beat Edward Hide’s mount, the 6-4 favourite Brora, by five lengths, with Joe Sime a further eight lengths back in third on Pearl Pirate.
He took out a National Hunt jockey’s licence for the 1956/57 season and finished second three times in a row in races at Uttoxeter on the Eric Cousins-trained Horse Shoe. Dudley and handicap hurdler Horse Shoe came second at Uttoxeter’s Easter meeting on April 23, 1957, beaten six lengths; second again there on May 18, beaten four lengths; then second once more, beaten a neck, when 6-4 favourite for the Draycott Selling Handicap Hurdle on Whit Monday, June 10.
He took out a National Hunt jockey’s licence for the 1956/57 season and finished second three times in a row in races at Uttoxeter on the Eric Cousins-trained Horse Shoe. Dudley and handicap hurdler Horse Shoe came second at Uttoxeter’s Easter meeting on April 23, 1957, beaten six lengths; second again there on May 18, beaten four lengths; then second once more, beaten a neck, when 6-4 favourite for the Draycott Selling Handicap Hurdle on Whit Monday, June 10.
Even more frustratingly, Horse Shoe won twice within three days at Newton Abbot at the start of the next season, ridden both times by Ken Boulton.
Even more frustratingly, Horse Shoe won twice within three days at Newton Abbot at the start of the next season, ridden both times by Ken Boulton.
It was the way things were for the majority of the hard-working ‘backroom boys’ of racing. Plenty of riding the good ones on the home gallops, preparing them for the Brookshaws, Winters and Scudamores to ride in races, but precious little chance to shine in their own right.
It was the way things were for the majority of the hard-working ‘backroom boys’ of racing. Plenty of riding the good ones on the home gallops, preparing them for the Brookshaws, Winters and Scudamores to ride in races, but precious little chance to shine in their own right.
With those three near misses in the 1956/57 campaign, Dudley would have hoped that elusive first win was just around the corner, but sadly it never came. During the 1957/58 season, he was with Horace Cousins, based at Scotforth, Lancashure and had the occasional ride for him. They weren’t particularly good. He rode a novice hurdler named Fairado three times, finishing unplaced and pulling up at Haydock before falling at Cartmel’s traditional Whitsun fixture. Another was Bobbie Atkins, pulled up on his sole outing at Uttoxeter in December.
With those three near misses in the 1956/57 campaign, Dudley would have hoped that elusive first win was just around the corner, but sadly it never came. During the 1957/58 season, he was with Horace Cousins, based at Scotforth, Lancashure and had the occasional ride for him. They weren’t particularly good. He rode a novice hurdler named Fairado three times, finishing unplaced and pulling up at Haydock before falling at Cartmel’s traditional Whitsun fixture. Another was Bobbie Atkins, pulled up on his sole outing at Uttoxeter in December.
Over the next two seasons his riding opportunities became even more limited. One of the better ones he rode was called Wenningshome, who at least had enough speed to lead the field to halfway in a Haydock handicap hurdle on November 26, 1959.
Over the next two seasons his riding opportunities became even more limited. One of the better ones he rode was called Wenningshome, who at least had enough speed to lead the field to halfway in a Haydock handicap hurdle on November 26, 1959.
Dudley last season with a licence was 1960/61. He ended his race-riding career without ever gaining that first victory. But he made up for that as a trainer – and how!
Dudley last season with a licence was 1960/61. He ended his race-riding career without ever gaining that first victory. But he made up for that as a trainer – and how!
Based at Pit Farm Racing Stables, Cartmel, overlooking the racecourse, he was always among the winners at his local track. On a far bigger stage, he trained Home Counties to win Cheltenham’s County Hurdle and Ayr’s Scottish Champion Hurdle in 1995, ridden on both occasions by his son Jimmy.
Based at Pit Farm Racing Stables, Cartmel, overlooking the racecourse, he was always among the winners at his local track. On a far bigger stage, he trained Home Counties to win Cheltenham’s County Hurdle and Ayr’s Scottish Champion Hurdle in 1995, ridden on both occasions by his son Jimmy.
Dudley handed over the Pit Farm training operation in 2004 to Jimmy, who has continued the good work and is invariably leading trainer at the Moffatt’s local track. Their bounty of victories includes Altruism winning the Crystal Cup, the biggest race held at Cartmel. Moreover, in recent seasons Jimmy has become established as one of Britain’s most successful racehorse trainers.
Dudley handed over the Pit Farm training operation in 2004 to Jimmy, who has continued the good work and is invariably leading trainer at the Moffatt’s local track. Their bounty of victories includes Altruism winning the Crystal Cup, the biggest race held at Cartmel. Moreover, in recent seasons Jimmy has become established as one of Britain’s most successful racehorse trainers.
Dudley was still riding work well into his eighties. On reflection, it doesn’t matter that he failed to ride a winner when he made such a good job of training them.
Dudley was still riding work well into his eighties. On reflection, it doesn’t matter that he failed to ride a winner when he made such a good job of training them.
