Peter Maddison
Peter Maddison
Peter Maddison
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Peter Maddison rode over jumps for much of the second half of the 1970s and in the early 80s, ending up with three winners.
Peter Maddison rode over jumps for much of the second half of the 1970s and in the early 80s, ending up with three winners.
Apprenticed to Mick Easterby, he had his first ride at Wetherby on December 27, 1974, when eighth and last on Flaxton in the Christmas Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2). It was not until September 29 of the following year that he had his first success when 16/1 chance Safari Sovereign came with a strong run to challenge the favourite Red Marshall and win the Cross Fell Novices’ Hurdle at Carlisle by three-quarters of a length.
Apprenticed to Mick Easterby, he had his first ride at Wetherby on December 27, 1974, when eighth and last on Flaxton in the Christmas Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2). It was not until September 29 of the following year that he had his first success when 16/1 chance Safari Sovereign came with a strong run to challenge the favourite Red Marshall and win the Cross Fell Novices’ Hurdle at Carlisle by three-quarters of a length.
Despite more than 20 rides that season he did not add to that first success. Progress continued to be slow over the next few seasons. Indeed, he appears to have missed the whole of the 1978/79 campaign.
Despite more than 20 rides that season he did not add to that first success. Progress continued to be slow over the next few seasons. Indeed, he appears to have missed the whole of the 1978/79 campaign.
Things finally looked up at Towcester on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5, 1980, when, on ground described as ‘hard’, nine-year-old Current Chance won the Tote Novices’ Chase, although there was an element of luck involved. Of the six starters, one unseated his rider at the first fence, another tried to refuse at the third and was pulled up, and 13/8 favourite Clonmullen fell at the fourth. Dandy Man was leading when carried out by a loose horse at the seventh, leaving Current Chance in front. He went on to beat Nord by 15 lengths, while Dandy Man’s rider, Ted Waite, retraced his mount’s steps and continued to finish a distant last of three to complete.
Things finally looked up at Towcester on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5, 1980, when, on ground described as ‘hard’, nine-year-old Current Chance won the Tote Novices’ Chase, although there was an element of luck involved. Of the six starters, one unseated his rider at the first fence, another tried to refuse at the third and was pulled up, and 13/8 favourite Clonmullen fell at the fourth. Dandy Man was leading when carried out by a loose horse at the seventh, leaving Current Chance in front. He went on to beat Nord by 15 lengths, while Dandy Man’s rider, Ted Waite, retraced his mount’s steps and continued to finish a distant last of three to complete.
Trained by permit holder Fred Smith at Swindon and owned by his wife, Current Chance was having his 15th start of the season, including races at both Cheltenham and Liverpool, without much success. Nonetheless, he was a hardy campaigner and carried Mrs Smith’s colours of green, white crossbelts and sleeves for many seasons.
Trained by permit holder Fred Smith at Swindon and owned by his wife, Current Chance was having his 15th start of the season, including races at both Cheltenham and Liverpool, without much success. Nonetheless, he was a hardy campaigner and carried Mrs Smith’s colours of green, white crossbelts and sleeves for many seasons.
By the time Peter had his third, and last, win he was working for Fred Winter, which must have been a big contrast to his apprenticeship with Mick Easterby. It was on Winter’s chaser Nimrody, in the colours of leading owner Sheikh Ali Abu Khamsin, that he won the Haccombe Handicap Chase on the Saturday of Newton Abbot’s Easter meeting on April 18, 1981. The ten-year-old was in a clear lead from a long way out, the eventual winning margin being eight lengths. Peter had been Nimrody’s regular jockey that season. They had one more outing together, at Worcester on May 2, but pulled up.
By the time Peter had his third, and last, win he was working for Fred Winter, which must have been a big contrast to his apprenticeship with Mick Easterby. It was on Winter’s chaser Nimrody, in the colours of leading owner Sheikh Ali Abu Khamsin, that he won the Haccombe Handicap Chase on the Saturday of Newton Abbot’s Easter meeting on April 18, 1981. The ten-year-old was in a clear lead from a long way out, the eventual winning margin being eight lengths. Peter had been Nimrody’s regular jockey that season. They had one more outing together, at Worcester on May 2, but pulled up.
Peter bowed out in the penultimate race of that season, the appropriately-named Final Fling Novices’ Chase at Market Rasen on May 31, 1981, when Singing Saint blundered badly at the second last fence when in contention and was pulled up.
Peter bowed out in the penultimate race of that season, the appropriately-named Final Fling Novices’ Chase at Market Rasen on May 31, 1981, when Singing Saint blundered badly at the second last fence when in contention and was pulled up.
