Sam Morshead
1955 - 2018
1955 - 2018
photo courtesy Chris Pitt
photo courtesy Chris Pitt
Sam Rodd Morshead was born in Co Meath on June 11, 1955.
Sam Rodd Morshead was born in Co Meath on June 11, 1955.
His Cornish parents had emigrated to Ireland in the Fifties.
His Cornish parents had emigrated to Ireland in the Fifties.
He won on his first ride in public - Top Up at Fairyhouse in April 1973.
He won on his first ride in public - Top Up at Fairyhouse in April 1973.
Sam rode 8 winners as an amateur before moving to England.
Sam rode 8 winners as an amateur before moving to England.
His biggest wins included:
His biggest wins included:
1976: Greenall Whitely - Royal Frolic
1976: Greenall Whitely - Royal Frolic
1980: Queen Mother Chase - Another Dolly
1980: Queen Mother Chase - Another Dolly
1981: Sun Alliance - Gaye Chance
1981: Sun Alliance - Gaye Chance
1981: Royal Doulton Hurdle - Gaye Chance
1981: Royal Doulton Hurdle - Gaye Chance
1983: Fighting Fifth Hurdle - Gaye Brief
1983: Fighting Fifth Hurdle - Gaye Brief
1984: Waterford Crystal Stayers Hurdle - Gaye Chance
1984: Waterford Crystal Stayers Hurdle - Gaye Chance
He was forced to retire following a bad fall from a novice chaser named Americk at Worcester in August 1987, in which he suffered serious facial injuries. He then embarked on a career in racecourse management. He became clerk of the course at Perth in 1988 and general manager in 1994 and held that position until relinquishing the post due to ill health in 2015.
He was forced to retire following a bad fall from a novice chaser named Americk at Worcester in August 1987, in which he suffered serious facial injuries. He then embarked on a career in racecourse management. He became clerk of the course at Perth in 1988 and general manager in 1994 and held that position until relinquishing the post due to ill health in 2015.
Sam Morshead died in September 2018 following a long battle with cancer.
Sam Morshead died in September 2018 following a long battle with cancer.