Val Moore
Val Moore
Val Moore
c1896-1963
c1896-1963
Born around 1896, Valentia Sumner Moore Junior, known simply as Val, served his apprenticeship in racing stables and was in the Army during World War One from 1915 to 1918. He was discharged with a pension of 7s 6d a week.
Born around 1896, Valentia Sumner Moore Junior, known simply as Val, served his apprenticeship in racing stables and was in the Army during World War One from 1915 to 1918. He was discharged with a pension of 7s 6d a week.
In April 1920 he opened a riding school at Adbolton, Nottinghamshire, with capital of £350, of which £250 was borrowed. He subsequently borrowed further capital and a company was formed in partnership under the title Adbolton Riding School. However, in September 1920 Val left the business and obtained employment in racing at Malt Hill Stables in Grantham. His partner settled the affairs of the partnership.
In April 1920 he opened a riding school at Adbolton, Nottinghamshire, with capital of £350, of which £250 was borrowed. He subsequently borrowed further capital and a company was formed in partnership under the title Adbolton Riding School. However, in September 1920 Val left the business and obtained employment in racing at Malt Hill Stables in Grantham. His partner settled the affairs of the partnership.
On Saturday, March 26, 1921, Val had his first mount under National Hunt rules on Firefly XII who ran out in the Elton Hurdle at Southwell, repeating something he had done with his owner up at Derby the previous month.
On Saturday, March 26, 1921, Val had his first mount under National Hunt rules on Firefly XII who ran out in the Elton Hurdle at Southwell, repeating something he had done with his owner up at Derby the previous month.
He was granted a trainer’s licence at the end of that year, based at Malt Hill Stables. He recorded an early success when training and riding the five-year-old Golden Age to win the Upton Handicap Hurdle at Southwell on March 16, 1922, beating Harry Hunt on Nada by five lengths.
He was granted a trainer’s licence at the end of that year, based at Malt Hill Stables. He recorded an early success when training and riding the five-year-old Golden Age to win the Upton Handicap Hurdle at Southwell on March 16, 1922, beating Harry Hunt on Nada by five lengths.
He registered a second success later that year when gifted a walkover on the ex-Irish six-year-old Castlerobin for the Kilwinning Chase at Bogside on October 27. It was on Castlerobin that Val had his final ride when a faller in the Lonsdale Hunters’ Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter on May 14, 1923.
He registered a second success later that year when gifted a walkover on the ex-Irish six-year-old Castlerobin for the Kilwinning Chase at Bogside on October 27. It was on Castlerobin that Val had his final ride when a faller in the Lonsdale Hunters’ Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter on May 14, 1923.
He relinquished both his trainer’s and jockey’s licence shortly afterwards. The training venture had been unsuccessful. The fees received amounted to £794, whereas the expenses amounted to £1,098,showing a loss of £304. On August 3, 1923, the Official Receiver issued a receiving order.
He relinquished both his trainer’s and jockey’s licence shortly afterwards. The training venture had been unsuccessful. The fees received amounted to £794, whereas the expenses amounted to £1,098,showing a loss of £304. On August 3, 1923, the Official Receiver issued a receiving order.
On August 28 Val met his creditors at the Official Receiver’s offices in Nottingham with gross liabilities of £1,456 6s 9d. He attributed his failure to “losses in horse dealing and bad trade”. The case was eventually heard at Nottingham Bankruptcy Court in 1926, when the Judge suspended discharge for two years.
On August 28 Val met his creditors at the Official Receiver’s offices in Nottingham with gross liabilities of £1,456 6s 9d. He attributed his failure to “losses in horse dealing and bad trade”. The case was eventually heard at Nottingham Bankruptcy Court in 1926, when the Judge suspended discharge for two years.
Val re-emerged with a trainer’s licence shortly before the end of World War Two, based initially at Newstead Lodge, West Bridgford, Nottingham with a string of eight horses. However, he did not stay there long, as by the middle of 1945 he had moved to Boston Spa, near Wetherby.
Val re-emerged with a trainer’s licence shortly before the end of World War Two, based initially at Newstead Lodge, West Bridgford, Nottingham with a string of eight horses. However, he did not stay there long, as by the middle of 1945 he had moved to Boston Spa, near Wetherby.
Again, that was a brief move, for by the start of 1946 he was ensconced at Richmond House, Malton, with a dual-purpose licence and a stable of around 30 horses. He enjoyed a measure of success under both codes over the next two seasons but that came to a grinding halt when, on March 11, 1948, one of his horses, Woolpack, fell when leading by two lengths in the Yorkshire Main Selling Handicap Hurdle at Doncaster. His jockey, 31-year-old Raymond Cane, suffered multiple injuries and died the following day.
Again, that was a brief move, for by the start of 1946 he was ensconced at Richmond House, Malton, with a dual-purpose licence and a stable of around 30 horses. He enjoyed a measure of success under both codes over the next two seasons but that came to a grinding halt when, on March 11, 1948, one of his horses, Woolpack, fell when leading by two lengths in the Yorkshire Main Selling Handicap Hurdle at Doncaster. His jockey, 31-year-old Raymond Cane, suffered multiple injuries and died the following day.
At the inquest on April 9, 1948, the Doncaster Coroner, Mr W.H. Cartile, heard that Woolpack had been doped with Benzedrine. Val Moore and travelling head lad Sam Talbot both faced the possibility of being charged with manslaughter.
At the inquest on April 9, 1948, the Doncaster Coroner, Mr W.H. Cartile, heard that Woolpack had been doped with Benzedrine. Val Moore and travelling head lad Sam Talbot both faced the possibility of being charged with manslaughter.
However, while the horse had definitely been doped, the amount of Benzedrine found was minuscule – one 50,000th of a gram – and was so minute that only a handful of experts possessed the ability to determine its presence. It was stated that it was unlikely to have contributed to the horse’s fall.
However, while the horse had definitely been doped, the amount of Benzedrine found was minuscule – one 50,000th of a gram – and was so minute that only a handful of experts possessed the ability to determine its presence. It was stated that it was unlikely to have contributed to the horse’s fall.
The Coroner therefore advised the jury that there was no sufficient evidence to bring a verdict of manslaughter against any of the witnesses or any other persons. There was no evidence beyond the fact that the horse had been doped.
The Coroner therefore advised the jury that there was no sufficient evidence to bring a verdict of manslaughter against any of the witnesses or any other persons. There was no evidence beyond the fact that the horse had been doped.
Following a seven-hour hearing, the formal verdict was given as “Death by misadventure, with no evidence to show that the administration of Benzedrine was a contributory factor.”
Following a seven-hour hearing, the formal verdict was given as “Death by misadventure, with no evidence to show that the administration of Benzedrine was a contributory factor.”
That night, the National Hunt Committee announced that Valencia Sumner Moore’s licence to train had been withdrawn.
That night, the National Hunt Committee announced that Valencia Sumner Moore’s licence to train had been withdrawn.
Val denied having doped the horse and commented: “Despite the verdict, I shall not appeal against the decision to disqualify me from holding a licence. I have suffered too much. This is my swan song. Perhaps I shall start breeding horses. My conscience is perfectly clear.”
Val denied having doped the horse and commented: “Despite the verdict, I shall not appeal against the decision to disqualify me from holding a licence. I have suffered too much. This is my swan song. Perhaps I shall start breeding horses. My conscience is perfectly clear.”
Val Moore died in 1963.
Val Moore died in 1963.
Val Moore's first winner was Golden Age at Southwell on March 16 1922