Peter Marsh
Peter Marsh
Peter Marsh
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Peter William Marsh rode nine winners during the 1950s, all of them wearing the ‘pearl grey, grass green hooped sleeves and cap‘ colours of owner-trainer by John Morant, who was based at Brockenhurst, in Hampshire. Morant had seen those same colours carried to victory by Lovely Cottage in the 1946 Grand National.
Peter William Marsh rode nine winners during the 1950s, all of them wearing the ‘pearl grey, grass green hooped sleeves and cap‘ colours of owner-trainer by John Morant, who was based at Brockenhurst, in Hampshire. Morant had seen those same colours carried to victory by Lovely Cottage in the 1946 Grand National.
Peter had his first ride at Wincanton on January 25, 1951, when Battling Jack finished unplaced in the 26-runner Jaunt Novices’ Hurdle.
Peter had his first ride at Wincanton on January 25, 1951, when Battling Jack finished unplaced in the 26-runner Jaunt Novices’ Hurdle.
More than two years elapsed before he had his first win, which came at Hereford on Easter Monday, April 6, 1953, when Lou Cavaou landed the George Britten Handicap Hurdle, beating Twenty Twenty, the mount of Peter Major, by four lengths, with the 18lb he received from the runner-up probably being a factor between victory and defeat.
More than two years elapsed before he had his first win, which came at Hereford on Easter Monday, April 6, 1953, when Lou Cavaou landed the George Britten Handicap Hurdle, beating Twenty Twenty, the mount of Peter Major, by four lengths, with the 18lb he received from the runner-up probably being a factor between victory and defeat.
There was another wait before Peter had his second success, again on Lou Cavaou, at Newton Abbot’s Christmas meeting, and progress was slow thereafter. His next win came in the De Aston Maiden Hurdle at Market Rasen on Easter Monday 1954 aboard Le Capitan.
There was another wait before Peter had his second success, again on Lou Cavaou, at Newton Abbot’s Christmas meeting, and progress was slow thereafter. His next win came in the De Aston Maiden Hurdle at Market Rasen on Easter Monday 1954 aboard Le Capitan.
Peter won four more races on Le Capitan, including the last of his career at Buckfastleigh on Whit Monday, May 21, 1956, when the six-year-old took the Buckfast Handicap Hurdle by half a length, carrying 12st 4lb and conceding 18lb to the runner-up, 2-1 favourite Glimmering, the mount of Mr Frank Ryall.
Peter won four more races on Le Capitan, including the last of his career at Buckfastleigh on Whit Monday, May 21, 1956, when the six-year-old took the Buckfast Handicap Hurdle by half a length, carrying 12st 4lb and conceding 18lb to the runner-up, 2-1 favourite Glimmering, the mount of Mr Frank Ryall.
It was on Le Capitan at that same Devonshire course on Saturday, June 8, 1957 that Peter Marsh had his final ride when finishing sixth of 11 runners in the Dean Court Moderate Handicap Hurdle.
It was on Le Capitan at that same Devonshire course on Saturday, June 8, 1957 that Peter Marsh had his final ride when finishing sixth of 11 runners in the Dean Court Moderate Handicap Hurdle.
His winners were, in chronological order:
His winners were, in chronological order:
1. Lou Cavaou, Hereford, April 6, 1953
1. Lou Cavaou, Hereford, April 6, 1953
2. Lou Cavaou, Newton Abbot, December 28, 1953
2. Lou Cavaou, Newton Abbot, December 28, 1953
3. Le Capitan, Marlet Rasen, April 19, 1954
3. Le Capitan, Marlet Rasen, April 19, 1954
4. Lou Cavaou, Buckfastleigh, August 30, 1954
4. Lou Cavaou, Buckfastleigh, August 30, 1954
5. Le Capitan, Devon & Exeter, September 8, 1954
5. Le Capitan, Devon & Exeter, September 8, 1954
6. Le Capitan, Newton Abbot, April 11, 1955
6. Le Capitan, Newton Abbot, April 11, 1955
7. Le Capitan, Taunton, September 17, 1955
7. Le Capitan, Taunton, September 17, 1955
8. Boulevard II, Taunton, October 8, 1955
8. Boulevard II, Taunton, October 8, 1955
9. Le Capitan, Buckfastleigh, May 21, 1956
9. Le Capitan, Buckfastleigh, May 21, 1956
Peter Marsh's first winner
Peter Marsh's first winner
Peter's final winner
Peter's final winner