Chris Ollivier
Chris Ollivier was initially apprenticed to Ron Vibert at East Hendred, near Wantage. He made the perfect start to his riding career when winning on his first ride in public, on
Chris Ollivier was initially apprenticed to Ron Vibert at East Hendred, near Wantage. He made the perfect start to his riding career when winning on his first ride in public, on
12-1 chance Chirp in a seven-furlong seller at Warwick on October 12, 1976.
12-1 chance Chirp in a seven-furlong seller at Warwick on October 12, 1976.
His only other ride that year was also on Chirp, finishing fifth in a Haydock nursery on October 30.
His only other ride that year was also on Chirp, finishing fifth in a Haydock nursery on October 30.
He rode seven winners from 68 mounts in 1977, drew a blank in 1978 but rode six from 83 in 1979. He then journeyed north and joined Denys Smith’s Bishop Auckland stable, before moving to Yorkshire trainer Steve Norton.
He rode seven winners from 68 mounts in 1977, drew a blank in 1978 but rode six from 83 in 1979. He then journeyed north and joined Denys Smith’s Bishop Auckland stable, before moving to Yorkshire trainer Steve Norton.
He did well in his final two years as an apprentice with Norton. His wins during the autumn of 1982 included two on High Cannon at Hamilton and Redcar. He rode that horse to victory again at Thirsk in April 1985. He was back in the Thirsk winner’s enclosure the following month after winning a 24-runner apprentices’ handicap on 33-1 outsider Ibolyan Sound.
He did well in his final two years as an apprentice with Norton. His wins during the autumn of 1982 included two on High Cannon at Hamilton and Redcar. He rode that horse to victory again at Thirsk in April 1985. He was back in the Thirsk winner’s enclosure the following month after winning a 24-runner apprentices’ handicap on 33-1 outsider Ibolyan Sound.
Thirsk was evidently Chris’s lucky track, He scored his biggest win there on the Norton-trained Pellinores Point in the Ovrevoll Invitation Trophy Handicap on May 21, 1983. He also rode a winner for Middleham trainer Sally Hall, on Alpine Way at Beverley. His final winner that year, his last as an apprentice, was on Steve Norton’s two-year-old Mr Meeka at Redcar on November 3, 1983.
Thirsk was evidently Chris’s lucky track, He scored his biggest win there on the Norton-trained Pellinores Point in the Ovrevoll Invitation Trophy Handicap on May 21, 1983. He also rode a winner for Middleham trainer Sally Hall, on Alpine Way at Beverley. His final winner that year, his last as an apprentice, was on Steve Norton’s two-year-old Mr Meeka at Redcar on November 3, 1983.
Chris held a professional jockey’s licence in 1984 but enjoyed little success. He did not renew it the following year.
Chris held a professional jockey’s licence in 1984 but enjoyed little success. He did not renew it the following year.