Peter Major

1925 - 2008

Peter Major, a leading jump jockey of the 1950s, died on Sunday, 21 September, 2008.

He was 82 and had been suffering from motor neurone disease.

He was hailed as the king of novice chase riders in 1953, as nine of his 14 winners that season were novices.

Two years later, he rode four winners in a day at Bangor, a course record that stood for years.

He was one of 12 jockeys injured in the 1959 Grand National. His mount, Eternal. fell at Becher's; Peter suffered concussion and was reported to be in a 'fairly serious' condition after the race. He was the most seriously injured of the twelve.

This was the only time Peter rode in the National.

The son of a farmer, Peter Major was born in Stratford-upon-Avon on December 12, 1925. Riding as Mr P. Major, he was first seen on a racecourse at Leicester on 9 February, 1948, partnering Palano.

Then, that same year, he scored three times in a row on Trambeza, though one of them was declared a no race. Peter was fortunate to win at Cheltenham on the horse (Dec 29). Jockey Bates, on 7/2 shot Titlus, would probably have beaten him, but his leathers broke.

Peter rode almost exclusively for trainer W. A. Brookes until taking more outside rides in 1950.

He rode for the last time as an amateur on November 14, 1950: on November 24 ten days later he rode as P. Major (Salfax at Ayr)

One of his better wins came on Colonised in the National Hunt Juvenile Chase at the 1957 Cheltenham Festival.

His fall from Eternal in the National kept him out of the saddle until that winter. He rode on for just another season before retiring.