Gary Moore
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
Gary Moore is best known today as a successful trainer and as the father of Ryan, Jamie and Joshua and their sister Hayley. However, like his sons and daughter, he was also a jockey, amassing 150 winners during his career. His sister Candy Moore (later Candy Morris) also rode her fair share of winners both on the Flat and over jumps.
Gary Moore is best known today as a successful trainer and as the father of Ryan, Jamie and Joshua and their sister Hayley. However, like his sons and daughter, he was also a jockey, amassing 150 winners during his career. His sister Candy Moore (later Candy Morris) also rode her fair share of winners both on the Flat and over jumps.
Gary Lee Moore was born on August 7, 1956, the son of trainer Charlie Moore, with whom he served his apprenticeship. He began his career as an amateur and rode his first winner on Jamie’s Cottage in a Plumpton selling hurdle on October 30, 1973. He turned professional in 1978.
Gary Lee Moore was born on August 7, 1956, the son of trainer Charlie Moore, with whom he served his apprenticeship. He began his career as an amateur and rode his first winner on Jamie’s Cottage in a Plumpton selling hurdle on October 30, 1973. He turned professional in 1978.
All of the horses mentioned in this article were trained by his father. The one that got him going was Abo. He won twice on him at Plumpton in March 1980 while still a 7lb claimer, the first on March 4, (left) the second of those wins being the Iain Buchanan Memorial Challenge Trophy Handicap Chase.
All of the horses mentioned in this article were trained by his father. The one that got him going was Abo. He won twice on him at Plumpton in March 1980 while still a 7lb claimer, the first on March 4, (left) the second of those wins being the Iain Buchanan Memorial Challenge Trophy Handicap Chase.
The best horse he rode was juvenile hurdler Lir, on whom he won the Aurelius Hurdle at Ascot on November 15, 1980 and the Sean Graham Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield on March 21, 1981
The best horse he rode was juvenile hurdler Lir, on whom he won the Aurelius Hurdle at Ascot on November 15, 1980 and the Sean Graham Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield on March 21, 1981
Another decent performer with whom Gary was associated was Benny’s Boy, who would go on to become something of a Fontwell specialist. The first race Gary won him was a novice chase there on September 23, 1981.
Another decent performer with whom Gary was associated was Benny’s Boy, who would go on to become something of a Fontwell specialist. The first race Gary won him was a novice chase there on September 23, 1981.
Gary also became a specialist round Fontwell’s figure-of-eight track. He notched a treble there on February 22, 1982, on Abo in the John Rogerson Handicap Chase, Icato in the Storrington Novices’ Chase, and Charjim in division one of the Midhurst Novices’ Hurdle.
Gary also became a specialist round Fontwell’s figure-of-eight track. He notched a treble there on February 22, 1982, on Abo in the John Rogerson Handicap Chase, Icato in the Storrington Novices’ Chase, and Charjim in division one of the Midhurst Novices’ Hurdle.
Earlier that season he’d ridden Abo to win Fontwell’s Whitelaw Challenge Cup Handicap Chase. Later that term he won a pair of novice handicap chases at Plumpton and Fontwell on Merry Meadow.
Earlier that season he’d ridden Abo to win Fontwell’s Whitelaw Challenge Cup Handicap Chase. Later that term he won a pair of novice handicap chases at Plumpton and Fontwell on Merry Meadow.
His best season 1982/83, in which he rode 22 winners in 1982/83. Almost half of those were gained at Fontwell. Benny’s Boy won four chases
His best season 1982/83, in which he rode 22 winners in 1982/83. Almost half of those were gained at Fontwell. Benny’s Boy won four chases
there that season (plus one at Newbury), including the Nickel Coin Challenge Cup on December 1, 1982, and the Certain Justice Challenge Cup on March 22, 1983.
there that season (plus one at Newbury), including the Nickel Coin Challenge Cup on December 1, 1982, and the Certain Justice Challenge Cup on March 22, 1983.
Although he had a penchant for Fontwell, Benny’s Boy was also good enough to win twice at Sandown with Gary on board, firstly when winning the Express Chase on January 7, 1984;
Although he had a penchant for Fontwell, Benny’s Boy was also good enough to win twice at Sandown with Gary on board, firstly when winning the Express Chase on January 7, 1984;
secondly when making all to hand out a 10-length beating to subsequent Gold Cup winner Charter Party, to whom he was conceding weight, on November 2, 1984.
secondly when making all to hand out a 10-length beating to subsequent Gold Cup winner Charter Party, to whom he was conceding weight, on November 2, 1984.
When Gary finally hung up his boots and saddle, he had ridden 150 winners over jumps plus one on the Flat.
When Gary finally hung up his boots and saddle, he had ridden 150 winners over jumps plus one on the Flat.
He took out a trainer’s licence in 1993. His first good horse was Karinga Bay who won three Group 3 races in Germany. More recently, the undoubted stable star has been Sire De Grugy, winner of two Tingle Creek Chases (2013, 2015), two Celebration Chases (2013, 2014) and the 2014 Queen Mother Champion Chase.
He took out a trainer’s licence in 1993. His first good horse was Karinga Bay who won three Group 3 races in Germany. More recently, the undoubted stable star has been Sire De Grugy, winner of two Tingle Creek Chases (2013, 2015), two Celebration Chases (2013, 2014) and the 2014 Queen Mother Champion Chase.